Plotinus
204-270 AD | Lycopolis, Egypt
The philosopher who saw the entire universe as an overflow of divine beauty. Plotinus founded Neoplatonism, the last great school of ancient philosophy, teaching that reality emanates from the One like light from the sun. The soul descended through levels of being and could ascend back through contemplation. Four times in his life, he achieved mystical union with the One - moments beyond description. His student Porphyry compiled his teachings into the Enneads, which would shape Christian, Islamic, and Jewish mysticism for a thousand years.
Plotinus's Works
Compiled by his student Porphyry"The One is all things and no one of them."
- Enneads
"Withdraw into yourself and look."
- Enneads
"Beauty is the translucence of the eternal splendor of the One shining through material phenomena."
- On Beauty
"Knowledge has three degrees: opinion, science, illumination."
- Attributed to Plotinus
"The soul in its nature loves God and longs to be at one with Him."
- Enneads