Marcus Aurelius Updated:
21st Century Meditations On Living Life

available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook

A collection of 67 essays that Kelvin Chin has written to help us live life with
less suffering, more contentment and inner peace.

Topics of the short essays range from Emotions and Life Principles to Meditation and the Spiritual.

available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook
on Amazon and all other online booksellers

Table of Contents

How To Read This Book

Some of the essays are only 1 page long.
Most are 2-3 pages.
A dozen of the 67 essays are 5-6 pages long.

So you can easily read this book in multiple sittings over a long or short period of time — without losing a beat, since each essay is “free-standing.” You can walk away from the book for hours...or days...and then come back to it.

Many people have said they first look at the Table of Contents to see which essay titles attract them. (Think of it as a “reference book for living life” — something that you pull out of your library from time to time on your life journey to “look something up” about How to Handle a life challenge...)

Reader Reviews

unique voice in an echo chamber of new age writers...filtered through common sense and reason...

“Kelvin Chin is a unique and most valuable voice in what is too often an echo chamber of New Age writers and speakers. Kelvin’s messages always come from his own direct experience, filtered through his own common sense, reason and logic. What results is always informative, thoughtful and helpful. I recommend Kelvin’s excellent work to all my friends.”

— William “Widge” Baldridge

a light in the darkness...amazing ability to explain complicated subjects...

“Kelvin’s books are a light in the darkness. His ability to explain complicated subjects is amazing. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and being of service!”

— Annmarie Martin

More Praise for “Marcus Aurelius Updated”...

“Makes you think — Marcus Aurelius Updated expands your knowledge on your past experiences and on others. This will be perfect in today’s climate to enrich the quality of our lives. It all starts within each of us.”

— Joanne Henderson

“Dios mío, Kelvin! I can’t stop reading your book! It’s soooo good!
I’m so glad I got your book!”

— Ana Molina

The best spiritual self-help book I have ever read. Easy to read collection of profound essays on life and spirituality that are applicable to any spiritual path one is on. Written to encourage an individual to follow their own truth and experiences. Not a formula or person to follow in this writing, rather a masterpiece of inspiration to turn within through meditation to increase knowledge of yourself and live an enjoyable life. Contains useful tools for therapists, coaches, and clergy for grief processing, self esteem, spiritual abuse, anxiety management and much more.

— Kathy Waddell

A very well-written book — Kel’s writing is clear and down to Earth. The themes he focuses on are applicable to every aspect of life. I found myself nodding while reading. Highly recommend!

— Ben Cunkelman

As featured in the September-October 2021 issue of the “Dartmouth Alumni Magazine”

My most recent read from the amazing Kelvin Chin! If you have any interest in understanding life in every detail, from the perspective of Marcus Aurelius and explained in a way that is pertinent to today’s life, this is the book for you. It deals with all aspects of life — love, happiness, respect, guilt, sex, friendship, etc., etc., and is explained in an easy to understand manner. While the book would be considered in the New Age/ Spiritual genre, it’s a book that shows there really is nothing new under the sun. Marcus Aurelius saw and wrote about the same things we as humans will always experience. Kelvin’s unique way of explaining and interpreting what Marcus Aurelius wrote brings this book to the top of my Must Read list.

— Sandra Costa Crea

You won’t find Kelvin’s new book on any of my bookshelves, it will be on the night table next to my bed with a few other books I’ve been reading over the last few decades. If you are spiritually minded I suggest you get a handful of bookmarks because you’ll need them for this book! Keep it handy and you’ll be happy. A great reference/handbook on living life in the 21st century.

— Harpo DeRoma

Kelvin delivers real practical ways of understanding profound insights anyone can benefit from in their daily life with a light hearted, and sometime humorous approach.

— James Goettsche

This book is a gift to anyone seeking answers in life. He addresses and explains free will and spirituality which is invaluable to a bereaved parent such as myself. His personal essays are written from his own experiences while observing life and very informative. It will open your mind and provide much food for thought. Thank you to Kelvin Chin for sharing your wisdom and experiences while being of service to those seeking health and happiness!

— Annmarie Martin

Kelvin Chin is a modern day saint. I came across his work about 2 years ago. I was struggling in all areas of my life basically dominated with fear. A gift I believe I’ve been blessed with is being able to tell who walks the walk or who just talks the talk. 100% without a doubt Mr. Chin walks the walk - he’s all about helping others and you can tell he is straight-up genuine. The essays in this book are spot on - they help guide me in everyday living. From overcoming the fear of death to the meaning of life and everything in between. On top of that, he is a world class meditation teacher - his style is in a league of its own. I highly recommend this book. Kelvin Chin offers so much more than just this book - give him a quick google and find out.

— Matthew Goodrum

This is my first time writing a review for any product or book I’ve ever purchased. However, I felt compelled to write a review for this book. As someone who is not a historian I read this book for its practical approach to meditation and spiritual topics. I did not read this book from front to cover in the traditional way. I would open the book and I allowed the energy of the book to guide me to what I needed to read for that day and it was almost always spot on. There are so many different treasures in this book that it’s become my daily devotional. I find the more as I grow in my meditations the essays affect me differently even if I read the same one over again. I find wisdom in it that I did not find with initially reading it. Kelvin does a wonderful job of making these abstract topics an easy read and not overly complicate them like most spiritual teachers try to do to make themselves sound more intelligent than their students. It is as if Kelvin is walking you through each “essay” to guide you and to help you understand your own thoughts on each topic.

I am so grateful for this book and I highly recommend it to everyone! I share the wisdom in it with my family and friends when they need inspiration or advice. Looking forward to reading it over and over again as I grow in my spirituality.

— Krystal Brockelmeyer

My favorite author, Kelvin Chin, just published a new book.

Every new generation likes to think it invented sex, drugs and rock-and-roll. Yet each generation since WWI has a legitimate claim to being the West’s original “New Age” thinkers”.

Kelvin Chin both transcends the current “echo chamber” of New Age writers, demonstrating that “being in the present” and “finding peace within” are concepts that have been at the core of our Western civilization since Marcus Aurelius penned his famous “Meditations”. But Chin’s work demonstrates that Marcus Aurelius was a few steps ahead of many of our “New Age” writers 1,850 years ago, when he upped the ante by pointing out “… it’s all about the choices we make. It’s up to each of us to decide, ‘if, how and when’. There’s no Master Plan — there’s no one telling us what we should do.”

Now if that doesn’t sound like the “Master Plan” for the West’s subsequent insights regarding the importance of the individual and free will, I don’t know what does. Chin’s book is important in several ways. Read it!

— William “Widge” Baldridge

Need to tweak & feed your soul?! Lost a piece of yourself during Covid? This mind bending book just came out on Amazon’s Top Ten list. Drop it in your cart today! Some of you have had the privilege of meeting the author Kelvin Chin (a dear friend of Adam & mine)..this is his latest brilliant masterpiece. When I read it...

I kept saying out loud... “Oh, so & so needs to read this...” “Oh, so & so needs to hear this...” “Oh, so & so REALLY needs to hear this!” Needless to say, a couple of my friends are getting signed copies because they need this book in their life!

— Deanna Hunt

Don “Harpo” De Roma introduced me to Kelvin Chin several years ago. Kelvin and Don are childhood friends. I’ve known “Harpo” for over 40 years (we were musicians in our “infancy” (he went on to record and play with members of Canned Heat and Buddy Miles, and I had nearly 20 years in the San Francisco band, The Beau Brummels)...I’ve been practicing meditation since I discovered the story of Edgar Cayce 50+ years ago. Kelvin Chin is is a welcome step in my personal evolution. Between us, “Harpo” and I bought 5 copies of this book, delivering copies to girlfriends, etc...

Since 1970 I’ve practiced forms of meditation that differ from Kelvin’s. His evolving “process” is inspired by his tutelage, many years ago, under the wing of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India, and he has developed his own technique that is simple to use, yet effective for those who dedicate themselves to this procedure. This new book has what-I-consider-to-be some valuable insights to many issues of our times, exploring ways to deal with them. I particularly was drawn to his defining the word “ego” and its actual meaning to our own “sense of self”. I’ve long held the feeling that our collection-of-entities known as “The Human Race” would greatly (!) benefit from a BROADENING of their perception of their own existence. Looking outward is as common as rainfall, but learning to truly look inward is a goal well worth aspiring to - that’s where the “light” is.. This book can be a powerful asset in that direction for many souls in their eternal journey. I feel strongly it’s well worth the effort to read this book.

— John Hjort

Kelvin Chin’s new book is poignant, relevant, easily understandable and wonderfully written. Definitely not new age gobbledygook. Kel has a unique ability to tackle real world and spiritual world subjects and issues and provide practical and useful commentary for every day. Loved it and would highly recommend!

— Michael Kennedy

The author’s keen ability to take complex, often misunderstood topics and translate into language which makes perfect sense caused me to have several “Aha!” Moments. Love it when that happens!! I knew meditation was good for me, but since I’m not an anxious person, I let it slip. Now I fully get why this needs to become a habit, not a once in a while kind of thing. This book will give you tremendous insight and serves to dispel fear of death, expand your mind and it’s just a really great read. Highly recommend .

— Linda Dobie

For my adult life, I have been a meditator. I have also developed some roadblocks to my progress. In the book Marcus Aurelius Updated, Kelvin Chin is able to bring clarity to the process of meditation that I have not been able to realize in 44 years of practice. Looking inward has now become no more difficult than a simple daily task. A “just do it” approach; a way devoid of the trappings of myth, dogma or expectations. Great advice throughout.

— Norm Fletcher

Outstanding book. It’s a quick read cover to cover. However it is a great reference book to consult a chapter at a time. It gives clear information that is easy to understand yet also challenges you to think and question if it applies to you. There is a comfort and clarity to it. I highly recommend.

— Nancylou Pinto

This book is an EXCEPTIONAL resource for living a more peaceful and enjoyable life! Dr. Chin’s newest book is a present-day reflection on the essays of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, masterfully updated for today’s thinking. The book provides unique insight to understanding our lives within a simplified context for the reader. The author begins with an introduction to The Meditations and then transitions to his personal essays, which are both an interpretation as well as a contemporary reflection of Aurelius’ most noted work.

As with all of his books, essays, presentations and classes, Dr. Chin invites his student (reader) to constantly ask questions, demand clarification, challenge ideas that do not make sense. As his student for several years, this approach in teaching has become paramount to my understanding of complex and difficult topics. I no longer take any new learning for granted – it must apply to my way of life, my belief system, values and spirituality. Moreover, Marcus Aurelius Updated is not meant as a single read; instead, it is brilliantly organized as a reference to life’s most important themes.

This book is beautifully written; I read his chapter “Spirituality (Chapter Five)” several times. Since losing my daughter and granddaughter several years ago, I have read countless books on grief; understanding its stages, how to make sense of tragedy, attempting to find an answer to the elusive question, “Why did this happen to my beloveds?” In his profound, compassionate, and gentle style, Dr. Chin gently dismisses the difficult process of never-ending questions related to the death of a child, and asks the parent to consider this, “irrational experiences such as a child’s death cannot be explained or reasoned away.” With this insight, Dr. Chin presents a timeless and gentle gift to all parents who have suffered by trying to find an answer to this endless question. Dr. Chin’s insight guided me to a more comforting perspective about the loss of my precious daughter and granddaughter.

I highly recommend this exceptional book. “Marcus Aurelius Updated” creates a unique pilgrimage for today’s stoic, by sharing wisdom into so many areas of our lives that we take for granted. Dr. Chin guides the reader who seeks truth, virtue, and knowledge to find it lovingly within themselves. The answers, held within our hearts and Spirit, must be released to find peace and happiness in life.

Thank you, Kelvin, for your gifts to humanity and for teaching us how to lovingly treat one another, as we are all connected in some beautiful way. This book is an instruction manual for generations to come. God bless your gifts.

— Julie Rutili

I received this book recently and have burned through it, and plan on reading it again. The amount of ‘aha’ moments it provides make it well worth purchasing.

It contains a number of essays centred around the general topics of Kelvin’s favourite Marcus Aurelius ‘Meditations’ (and his interpretations of them), followed by the those of Emotions, Life Principles, Meditation, and finally The Spiritual.

An expert on meditation and the spiritual, Kelvin’s insights into the popular notion of oneness (which some readers may find challenging, or refreshing!), and his take on ‘Spiritual Materialism’ alone make the book well worth reading!

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a down to earth, witty, and insightful lens through which to view these topics.

— Scott Madison, Australia

I had tried several times to read Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” in the past. While I enjoyed it, I also struggled with it and felt there was always something missing for me. Now I know what it is, Kelvin Chin! This book guides you with life’s most difficult topics and helps you to embrace new and wonderful perspectives. He breaks down Aurelius’ meditations and helps the reader to go deeper and at times untangle the meaning.

Kelvin is an expert at meditation and has been an instructor for decades. What he grasps that so many don’t is that meditation is NOT about controlling the mind, it is about working with the mind and if done right you will engage the parasympathetic nervous system. Once you learn this little secret, you will find you have a wonderful internal buffer to the chaos that is going on in the world. You will feel more relaxed and at ease. This book is a treasure trove of golden nuggets in life. It is hard to believe all that he covers within this book.

I have read through it once but will be going back in, much slower this time, doing a daily smaller read per topic and letting it simmer. Everyone needs this book and Kelvin Chin as their personal life guide!

— Nell Rose Foreman

Have you lost your way since this pandemic? Feel isolated or in a void? Please buy this book today to start anew with the pearls of wisdom Kel has to offer. As a medical professional amidst the pandemic, I have witnessed many patients struggle with the meaning of life. Kel’s book has validated and answered those tough questions we ask when we step inside our inner world.

As we began to see the fragility of life and its constructs unravel in the pandemic, what really matters and how to obtain it is revealed. Anyone actively pursuing happiness, regardless of their religious or cultural beliefs must read this book.

— Jamila R. Battle, MD

“Marcus Aurelius Updated,” by Kelvin Chin, adds light-hearted passion to the Stoic attitudes about human life that characterized that Emperor’s private, but recorded, thoughts about how to be the best leader possible. By egging himself on to ever greater excellence, Marcus Aurelius gave all of us insights into how he made crucial decisions in his life.

Kelvin Chin seems to have ripped a page from the Emperor’s book, as one clearly feels the incentives Chin is laying down for himself as he delineates the advantages of friendship dominating all relationships, and as he parses through the details of what he calls demystifying the mystical. Perhaps the most daunting of all, and yet the most clearly in his, and our, self-interest, is his understanding of the Transcending Cruelty concept, a deceptively simple explanation of why “evil” exists, and of how our own penchants for cruelty can first be dialed down and then eliminated from our pursuit of happiness, since cruelty is merely a counterproductive maladaptation.

Caveat for those who are fond of the diaphanous ideal of Oneness: after reading Chin’s essays, you may have a hard time thinking of that illusion as anything other than as One-mess.

— George Hammond

“Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.” S. Kierkegaard

This collection of essays is a welcome addition to any library for many reasons. Despite mountains of beloved quotes (like the one above) and maxims gleaned from hours of pondering the writings of philosophers, poets, and the occasional introspective scientist in my youth I was discouraged by what seemed to be a spirit of competition among these great minds.

If you have ever longed for a friend who had enough common sense, gleaned from experience, to offer advice and prescribe practical solutions to what seem to be unsolvable mysteries, read this book. In a conversational tone Mr Chin has managed to illuminate (and eliminate) most of what Ages of Faith and Science managed to compile into what have been called Castles in the Air by many who wearied of the Search for the Secret of Life.

The meditation practice that he teaches world wide and has practiced and taught for 50 years puts a foundation under those “castles” and in some cases shows the castle to have been a modest bungalow with an untended garden, waiting for an interested occupant. His references to further discussions of his experiences that are available in an extensive collection of online video recordings are worth looking into as well.

To summarize: This book starts with a glimpse into the life of a young man who became Emperor of Rome yet never abandoned his search for simplicity. It is a book written by a seasoned teacher, arbitrator and advocate who can apply that simplicity to the seemingly overwhelming complexities of “modern” life.

— Kamin Lambertson

To all my fellow seekers out there who have found this book on Amazon, I am so happy for you!!!

Whether you are a long time or new searcher to what this “life thing” is all about, you are in for a refreshing exploration when you read Kelvin’s book!!! Why? Because Kelvin is the real deal! He really cares about you, and about helping you discover the vastness, power, and peace of your own mind.

I love his brilliant and down-to-earth approach in how he peels away the mystical layers to help people live their lives more fully in the moment, which helps to give power back to the individual, where it belongs!

If you are struggling in life like so many of us, (even before the pandemic), and you really want to start seeing changes to the “inside” of you that you can actually “see and feel”, and which can affect the “outside of you” as well, then I would GET THIS BOOK RIGHT AWAY, READ and STUDY IT! Then go to Kelvin’s web and sign up for his meditation class!

What I have learned from Kelvin helped me to go from waking up each morning feeling depressed to going to waking up each morning focused on the next step while facing one of my life’s most difficult periods which is not related to the pandemic!

— Debra Kiefel

With the publication of this collection of thoughtful, succinct essays — “Marcus Aurelius Updated: 21st Century Meditations on Living Life” — Kelvin Chin once again provides an invaluable contribution to the “ars vitae” literature. As in his “Overcoming the Fear of Death” (2016), Chin provides gently persuasive discourse focused on the responsible pursuit of happiness in these turbulent times. He employs 21 of the Roman emperor’s [“Meditations”] “greatest hits” to launch an inspirational discussion of dualistic life tenets in the Stoical tradition. In his now familiar conversational tone, Chin encourages his readers to trust their own life choices when informed by both rational, well-informed decision-making processes and regular, effortless meditative sessions. Unlike many current “mindfulness” / redux Eastern meditation practices, Chin’s “Turning Within” method eschews the search for “universal oneness” and recognises the dualities with which we’re faced. He makes essential distinctions, viz., free will vs. “destiny” / “karma;” the experiencer & the experience; self-interest vs. self-centredness; inter-connectedness vs. oneness; and, living in the continued present vs.grasping for end-state “self-enlightenment.” Although readers might well find his last chapter (“The Spiritual”) the most challenging section — with essays such as “Attachment & Illusion,” “Spiritual Materialism Revisited,” “Everything Happens for a Reason?” and “Unbundling Enlightenment” — Kelvin Chin’s “Marcus Aurelius Updated: 21st Century Meditations on Living Life” is a thought-provoking and self-affirming read.

— W. Thomas Helfrich, PhD

Kelvin’s “Marcus Aurelius Updated: 21st Century Meditations On Living Life” is filled with excellent wisdom. He explains that these essays bubbled up in his consciousness “to help my students and myself as we each navigate life…” Kelvin’s knowledge reaches far and deep, like an undercurrent that carries you swiftly into understanding, without needing your compliance or intent. Learning from a person who teaches so thoroughly that if one mere idea is not properly conveyed and received, he will find a different route in which to explain so that each concept is coalesced.

This book is a total immersion into understanding life, death and the in-between. “Marcus Aurelius Updated” is helpful to any human who is no longer interested in skimming the surface of life. Search Kelvin’s name with any keyword of your choice online and you are apt to find a lecture, video or book reference that will help you in the moment. Kelvin is present, helping us as we turn within and understand the intricate parts of our own why, the workings of our soul (mind) and the true meaning of each of us (read page 70).

— Kelly Hamman

A book filled with wisdom written in an enjoyable everyday style accessible to all.

Life is Generous — Let go of your fears!

I really enjoyed this book. It’s filled with wonderful insights into the nature of this existence that anyone can put to good immediate use. Kelvin writes in a very accessible, conversational style. He is a wonderful teacher and it shows in this book. Highly recommended!

— David Martin, Costa Rica

Been friends with Kelvin now for several years, and think the world of him. His meditation technique that he talks about in the book is AMAZING. And I highly recommend it! My family has been doing it for years. I am going to be honest and say that I do not subscribe to every single tenant of every essay in this book, but i found it DEEPLY thought provoking and even life changing for me in places. One of the great things about Kelvin is he has many friends that have different religious beliefs or belief systems. He would he the first to say that’s ok. Having said all this I want to say I really cannot overemphasize how thought provoking I found this work and also how wonderfully straightforward it was. I will be thinking often about what I read and rereading it to get a deeper understanding for some time to come. REALLY made me think!

— Jen & Paul Struck

Kelvin Chin’s “Marcus Aurelius Updated” helped me by allowing me to extract what I need from the wise words in this book. Kelvin’s interpretation of each chapter brought home the realization that I need to remind myself to stay grounded. That requires clarity, and the fearlessness to do the right and most common sense thing even though it may be fashionable to do otherwise. I have referred back to this book a few times already because it helps center myself. A very interesting read of events from centuries ago shows me that not much has changed in the realm of being Human.

— Srinath DeSilva