Enneads • a journey to En

Plotinus' • Enneads

- a journey to En -

In the realm of ancient philosophy, Plotinus stands as a towering figure, and his philosophical masterpiece, the Enneads, serves as a guiding light for seekers of spiritual enlightenment.

 

At the heart of Plotinus' profound teachings lies the concept of the soul's ascent—a transformative journey of self-discovery and union with the divine.

The Enneads serve as a comprehensive guide
for the soul's journey towards the One,
the first principle of all.

This spiritual exercise, outlined in the Enneads, provides a roadmap for those who yearn to transcend the confines of the material world and realize their ultimate potential.

Plotinus invites the disciple to start from the bottom and ascend step by step, grasping each activity distinctly, until the self will be united with the One.

Through his teachings, we can gain insights into the nature of the soul, its descent into the physical body, and the subsequent ascent back to its true self. Additionally, the Enneads offer valuable guidance on leading a virtuous life and attaining spiritual enlightenment.

Delving into these writings enables one to attain a deeper understanding of the fundamental aspects of reality, including knowledge and intelligible reality.

 

The steps of the ascending journey within the Enneads can be summarized as follows:

୭ Conversion from the lower life: This is the first stage of the journey, where the soul turns away from the material world and begins to seek the divine.

 

∞ The soul realizes that the material world is not the ultimate reality and that there is something beyond it. This realization leads to a desire to seek the divine and to transcend the limitations of the material world.

୭ Awakening to the nature of the soul: The first ascent consists of two steps, the first within the sphere of the Soul itself, its awakening to a realization of its own nature.

∞ The soul realizes that it is not just a body, but also a spiritual being. It becomes aware of its own nature and begins to seek a deeper understanding of itself .

୭ Separation and self-possession: The soul becomes aware of itself and retreats within to become the possessor of all.

∞ The soul realizes that it is separate from the material world and that it has the power to control its own destiny. It becomes self-possessed and begins to take control of its own spiritual journey.

୭ Identification with the object: The soul identifies with the object of its contemplation and becomes one with it.

∞ The soul realizes that it can become one with the divine by contemplating it.
It identifies with the divine and becomes one with it.

୭ Union with the One: The final stage of the journey involves the soul's union with the One, which is the ultimate goal of the ascent.

∞ The soul realizes that the One is the ultimate reality and that it can become one with it. It unites with the One and becomes one with all things.

 

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Overview of each Enneads' contents

The titles link to overviews of  tractates.

• First Ennead discusses the nature of virtue, happiness, and beauty.

In the First Ennead, Plotinus lays the philosophical groundwork for his entire metaphysical system, introducing the principles of the One, Intellect, and Psyche and their intricate interplay. These treatises provide a solid foundation for understanding his later works in the 'Enneads' and his Neoplatonic philosophy as a whole.

Lastly, the First Ennead also explains how Platonic dialectic may be used as a method of understanding reality.

• Second Ennead investigates the nature of matter, and describes the relation between potentiality and actuality.

It investigates the nature of matter, and describes the relation between potentiality and actuality. Also, it includes a series of detailed studies in conceptual analysis, which may serve as a kind of toolbox for reading the rest of his work and for understanding its logical structure and architecture.

• Third Ennead is primarily concerned with spiritual matters on the human scale, discussing ideas such as fate, the human spirit, love, and the nature of Providence and Free Will.
It also describes the nature of Time and Eternity.

• Fourth Ennead discusses the immortality of the Soul, and examines the relation of the Soul to the body.

• Fifth Ennead discusses the three hypostases (or underlying principles) of reality: the One, the Intellect, and the Soul.

• Sixth Ennead discusses the kinds of Being which may be established by the Intellectual Principle, and describes the multiplicity of Ideas which may be found in the Intellect.

 

The Sixth Ennead concludes with a discussion of the Good (the moral nature of the One).

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The journey of the soul is a sacred exercise—a timeless path to liberation from the confines of the material world and a harmonious union with the divine.

Striving within the realm of transcendental wisdom, elevates a self to his Cosmic level of existence & Being.

Continuing upon my -φ- path, i've blueprinted a journey with the Enneads for Winter '23.

 

It's an ai-assisted project that will not hit social-audio. I'll be at _nest though whenever reading or researching. The results of my endeavor will be edited, curated, and then offered in a beautiful [free] way.

 

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#CosmicWisdomGr • Plotinus

Articles Index • Philosopher's threshold

#CWGR Archway

 Available readings on Bookshelf :

Enneads - Plotinus (by Porphyry)

Intellectual Meditations

To further explore Plotinus' philosophical concepts,
delve into the Essence of Universal Truths,
explore the Nature of the Soul,
and meet Virtues & Vices,

Noetically travel the cosmic trails of Plotinus
and further cultivate your Spirit via the path of Intellect.

Meditate on and Contemplate with,
concepts & theories, symbols & archetypes.

An intro guide is available here.

Feel free to send a pigeon with specific or holistic feedback.