After wondering about my own spiritual heritage and how I developed my unique interests in life, I received inner guidance to delve into Neoplatonism. I feel deeply drawn to the philosophy of Proclus, who I had been studying for Pythagorean inspiration from his Commentary on the First Book of Euclid's Elements. On learning that Proclus was also heavily into theurgy, I knew that it was time to devote myself to the massive library of his written work.
Iamblichus and Proclus were clearly knowledgeable of the Pythagorean background to Plato and their writings are a goldmine for those who want to understand clearly what the Pythagorean spiritual discipline entailed. There are no surviving works of Pythagoras, but the Pythagorean texts that have come down to us are written in symbolic language, not in the abstract conceptualized thinking pioneered by Plato. For example, the Pythagorean Symbols consist of short cryptic aphorisms such as "do not poke the fire with a sword" or "eat not the heart". The phrases were intended to be accompanied by oral instruction, from master to disciple. While the Pythagorean lineage may have ended some time ago, the tradition of wisdom initiated by Pythagoras was rekindled by Plato, as can be seen in his many numerical and geometric riddles. Plato's doctrines evolved and developed into a clear form of expression the succession from Plotinus, Porphyry, Iamblichus, Syrianus, Proclus, and Damascius. Of these, Proclus was the most prolific, producing upward of 45 written works, many of which were commentaries on the dialogues of Plato, while injecting vitality and freshness with his own works.
I shall be devoting a greater part of this blog to Proclus, not only because of the sheer volume of his writings that are available or because of the depthness and clarity of his expression, but because I feel that his spirit is close to me, and want to draw nearer.
As I continue my studies I will report here from time to time on good ideas that I find and what sources I'm using so that you can put yourself back into the Neoplatonist mindset and taste the pleasures contained therein. This information will be also useful to have so that I can make cross-references on my other blogs.
