Koyaanisqatsi

Marcus Aurelius writes:

There are three things ever to be kept in mind. First, whatever thou does, see it be done not at random, but so that Justice herself could not have acted otherwise; and remember that all external contingencies are dispensations either of chance or Providence, and that it is folly to blame the former, and impiety to accuse the latter. Second, ponder the progress of every being from its generation to the hour when it receives a soul, and thence again to the time when it renders back that soul, together with the elements whereof all things are compound, and into which they must be dissolved. Third, reflect that were some sudden power to bear thee aloft to a pinnacle, whence thou couldst survey human life in all its multifariousness, after gaining withal a glimpse at the multitude of creatures that people the surrounding air and ether, the sight would inspire thee with contempt; and oft as the ascent might be repeated, the same spectacle would always meet they aze: monotony of form and brevity of time. These are the objects of our pride!

This third point makes me think of the movie Koyaanisqatsi, a beautiful movie that shows human life. It has no dialogue, no characters, and no plot. It's just videos of humanity set to a classic score by Philip Glass. Koyaanisqatsi is one of my favorite movies, and it shows that perspective that Marcus Aurelius is writing about, that high perspective from which we can see the smallness of our lives, the swarm of people in which we live, and the never-ending cycle of mindless living. Instead of just imagining, we can experience it by watching Koyaanisqatsi. And I recommend watching it every year or so, just so we can remind ourselves what the world is really like.