Plotinus (c. 204–270 CE) was a Hellenistic philosopher and the founder of Neoplatonism, a philosophical system that deeply influenced later Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Thought. His principal Work, the "Enneads," organized by his student Porphyry, explores the Nature of reality, the One, and the Soul's journey towards divine union. Plotinus' metaphysical ideas laid a foundation for subsequent mystical and theological traditions. His teachings emphasized the importance of Introspection and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, leaving a lasting legacy in the History of Philosophy.
Anecdotes
- Once considered having his soul actively safeguarded by Egyptian priests due to his perceived purity and closeness to the divine.
- Believed to maintain such a disciplined and ascetic lifestyle that he never indulged in physical pleasures, nor did he fall ill until his final Year.
- Claimed to have an Aversion to his own physical Existence, considering it a defect of the soul's embodiment.
Magnitudes
- Seek the source beyond the material realm.
- Embrace solitude to cultivate profound inner insights.
- Seek unity in diversity to transcend limitations.
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