From Philosophy to Mysticism: How Neoplatonism Influenced Early Kabbalah

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Did Neoplatonism influence Kabbalah? Exploring the reception of Neoplatonism in Early Kabbalah via three themes: Negative Theology, Unio Mystica and Emanationism.
Part 3: Plato, Kabbalah and the Italian Renaissance
• The Untold Story of Pl...
If you missed the intro: From Neoplatonism to Kabbalah: A Mystical Exploration • From Neoplatonism to K...
Check out the rest of our wonderful collaborators:
‪@LetsTalkReligion‬ What is Neoplatonism: • What is Neoplatonism?
Neoplatonism and Islam:
‪@TheEsotericaChannel‬ The Neoplatonic Attack on Gnosticism, Plotinus vs the Gnostics: • The Ancient Neo-Platon...
‪@drangelapuca‬ Plotinus and Iamblichus on Theurgy and Magic: • Plotinus & Iamblichus ...
‪@TheModernHermeticist‬ The Platonic Philosophers' Creed: • What Do Platonists Bel...
‪@johnvervaeke‬ Neoplatonism & 4E Cognitive Science: • Levels of Intelligibil...
00:00 Three Themes from Neoplatonism to Kabbalah
00:37 Collab shout out
01:01 What is Emanationism & the Theory of the Forms?
05:12 What is Unio Mystica?
05:56 What is Negative Theology?
06:45 Disclaimers: Pitfalls of Comparison
08:09 The Jewish Neoplatonists
12:44 Mystical Union in Early Kabbalah
17:02 Philo tho…
21:19 Negative Theology in Early Kabbalah
28:29 The Tension
33:43 An Esoteric En Sof
36:51 Sefirot & Emanation in Early Kabbalah
45:36 Exogenous vs Endogenous
47:22 A Human Question
52:10 Summary
53:28 Shout out and Thank you
Sources and Further Reading
• Adam Afterman, “And They Shall Be One Flesh,” On the Language of Mystical Union in Judaism, BRILL (2016), pp. 25-7, 79-101, 130-50
• Daniel Matt, “Ayin: The Concept of Nothingness in Mystical Judaism,” in The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy by Robert Forman (ed.), New York, 1990, pp. 121-159
• Gershom Scholem, Kabbalah (Jerusalem, 1974), p. 88
• Gershom Scholem, Origins of the Kabbalah, 1950, pp. 265-71, 431-45
• Moshe Idel, “Jewish Kabbalah and Platonism in the Middle Ages and Renaissance” in Lenn Goodman, Neoplatonism and Jewish Thought, State University of New York Press, 1992, pp. 325-27, 338-340
• Moshe Idel, Metamorphoses of a Platonic Theme in Jewish Mysticism, pp. 67-8
• Moshe Idel, Absorbing Perfections: Kabbalah and Interpretation (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2002), pp. 239-49
• Moshe Idel, Kabbalah: New Perspectives, 1988, pp. 31-2
• Sarah Pessin, “Jewish Neoplatonism: Being above Being and Divine Emanation in Solomon Ibn Gabirol and Isaac Israeli” The Cambridge Companion to Medieval Jewish Philosophy, edited by Daniel H. Frank and Oliver Leaman, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003, pp. 91-110
• Raphael Jospe, "Chapter Three. Jewish Neoplatonism: Isaac Israeli and Solomon ibn Gabirol". Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages, Boston, USA: Academic Studies Press, 2009, pp. 79-131
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Пікірлер: 146

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Part 3: Plato, Kabbalah and the Italian Renaissance kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fM9jiaeX0LqpfIU.html Check out the rest of our wonderful collaborators: Let's Talk Religion - What is Neoplatonism: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rMB1iNKQ2K7Tcqs.html Esoterica - Neoplatonism vs Gnosticism: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kLxlqMWBteC4Z4k.html Angela's Symposium - Plotinus and Iamblichus on Theurgy and Magic: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/orShobGb2K2pqIE.html TheModernHermeticist - The Platonic Philosophers' Creed by Thomas Taylor: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jeCUbJuKuK2aeKc.html John Vervaeke - Neoplatonism & 4E Cognitive Science: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gsibZs9ym-CnmZc.html

@singhjasbeer5216 Жыл бұрын

Your channel’s name truly lives up to it’s meaning ‘Seekers of Unity’ being an Indian I can relate these concepts so well which are present within Indian & Hindu Philosophical traditions. Thanks for all these painstaking efforts

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

It's an honour. Thank you Singh.

@christiandoscher1016 Жыл бұрын

The One or the 1?

@InTheRhettRow Жыл бұрын

indo european

@EliAbramzon Жыл бұрын

I've read and was impressed by the Bhagavad Gita and listened to online classes of an Advaita swami. The parallel with Western ideas is amazing.

@singhjasbeer5216 Жыл бұрын

@@EliAbramzon “In whatsoever way a man approaches me, so shall I approach him,” is what Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita. This is the essence of Geeta. Lord Krishna in Geeta is not just a historical Prophet but he is the microcosmic form of the great Macrocosmic Almighty being which is unlimited in it’s reality. This concepts resonates well with Ein Sof of Kabbalah and Eastern Orthodox Theology of God’s essence and energy.

@kuu2856 Жыл бұрын

I think Neoplatonism is one of the most influential philosophies of the Western and Near Eastern World.

@shaharfrydman 3 ай бұрын

Your last idea blew my mind. I have been raised on particularistic religion, going on to fragmenting academic approach and on to unbased spritual perennialism. The three have not yet met under a sensible framework... But you have given me a very big hope

@SeekersofUnity 3 ай бұрын

I’m glad i could be of service on your journey.

@sethcable2322 Жыл бұрын

Another truly wonderful piece; thank you so much for all your incredible work! I really, especially appreciate those final five minutes ("A Human Question"), and how parallels in different traditions thinking may have deeper bases than simple 'contact and borrowing'.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you Seth. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, that final point is quite important. I'm glad you appreciated it.

@aminrodriguez4707 Жыл бұрын

Contact and borrowing? I have a tendency og going rather "evolutionnary" in this. Meaning, humans, in different times, wjen presented tp similar metaphisycal puzzles will tend to respond in a very similar way. Such a way is of course tinted by time, linguistics and other elements that make each school of thought unique in itself. As per the example of this video. I hope i was clear enough as english is my third language.

@asielnorton345 Жыл бұрын

Good one. Discovering Plotinus was really pretty momentous for me. As a person interested in different religions, philosophies, and myths it was truly momentous to discover this common source to how much I read and thought about mysticism. Obviously Plato is the central figure of western thought writ large, and Plotinus is the central western mystic philosopher, basing his thought largely (to him completely) on the earlier philosopher’s writing.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Ditto Asiel. Keep an eye out for the conclusion video of the series ;)

@AtommHD Жыл бұрын

And they plagiarised the teachings and wisdom from the Kemetians. Tehuti, Ptah, Tut Moses, Imhotep, Auset, Asar, Heru. Pert em heru the first book of metaphysical theology.

@leom141 3 ай бұрын

Absolutely amazing content as always. I'm learning so much and being so much inspired by your channel and also Philip's. God bless you both

@emZee1994 Жыл бұрын

Neoplatonism is so cool, I finally found the thread which links European Paganism, Greek Philosophy and Christianity. And as bonus I ended up finding how they link into Islam, Judaism, Kabbalah and Sufism

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

☺️😎

@IpsissimusPrime Жыл бұрын

Zevi, you’re such a mensch! I love the fact that you recorded this in a library! Amazing presentation with a great early historical overview and summary. I’m currently on a Vedic Brihadaranyaka Upanishad deep dive and you’ve got me thinking I have to reread all my Philo and Idel ! 😂 I’m looking forward to the next lecture on this series!

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you friend. I’m so glad you appreciated it. Next one coming out tonight. I hope you enjoy it. Yours, Zevi

@betweenearthandsky4091 3 ай бұрын

Zevi, I am incredibly grateful for the immense value you are providing us in the digital world, and for your dedication, gentleness and good heart.

@jedimmj11 Жыл бұрын

I am enraptured by this series so far, and am kinda in awe that at the end you contribute an explanation for these parallels so compelling it seems obvious.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

I’m very glad you’re appreciating it. Thank you for sharing that :)

@shogun9450 Жыл бұрын

Your light continues to light others, thank you

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you friend.

@TheModernHermeticist Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video Zevi! I also see you've got shout outs down to a science, almost like metrical poetry 😆

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you Dan, I'm glad you liked it. I'm looking forward to your feedback on the next episode which is right in your ballpark of expertise. Yes, it's all a poem ;) It's a please to be dragging on my collab with you. With love.

@phildray83 Жыл бұрын

Love it. Awesome work! Especially liked the bit about the emanations and Sephirot, good and interesting connections. Hope to see more live readings of the Enneads in the future too. Love you man!

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you Phillip. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Love you back :)

@alwilliams5177 6 ай бұрын

I believe this is some of the highest quality religious education on KZfaq. Zevi, your presentation style is wonderful. Your command of the material and demeanor are a great blessing. Thank you for helping us develop a more nuanced understanding of these complex topics. Surrounded by the perversions of faith here in the southeastern United States, it is always a wonderful reminder to listen to someone that reminds me of God's goodness and grace. ❤🙏🏼

@SeekersofUnity 6 ай бұрын

You’re so very welcome. Thank you for the kind and thoughtful feedback.

@michaelbates2823 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your genuine and generous approach and content. Beautiful enquiry, shared beautifully. 🙏❤️🙏

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yours, Zevi

@alohm Жыл бұрын

So excited to see your take(as many are saying) I am astounded at some of the connections you are making. Excellent.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Glad to have you here on this journey with us.

@Nussknacker1 Жыл бұрын

Great episode. Lots to think about!

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

@FraterRC Жыл бұрын

Otto is great! Thanks for another awesome episode!

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

You're most welcome. Thank you for joining us.

@psychosynthesis_selfmastery 6 ай бұрын

Awesome content, clear and concise to the point 🙏

@SeekersofUnity 6 ай бұрын

You’re most welcome. Thank you.

@mironalexandra4602 Жыл бұрын

thank you so much for this podcast full of precious information

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

You're most welcome. Thank you Miron for being here with us to learn.

@colingallagher1648 Жыл бұрын

It is quite interesting to see how influential Neoplatonist writings were on the early development of the mystical traditions of the Abrahamic faiths as a metaphysical underpinning but also in a lot of the language and practices used.And as always thanks for all you do here.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

You're most welcome Colin. Thank for joining us to learn and explore together.

@daroay Жыл бұрын

Jews adopted Greek philosophy, and Greeks adopted Jewish Mythology. But only Jews today believe in the one, while gentiles believe in 3 gods.

@AtommHD Жыл бұрын

And they all got it from the Kemetians

@EverythingHumorous 2 ай бұрын

See the video at 45 minutes where Zevi makes a case neoplatism DIDN'T necessarily play that huge a role on Kabbalah

@davieboy3814 Жыл бұрын

I had a professor at the Nazarene Christian university I attended who taught a class on Postmodernism and Christianity. One of his first points was that he believed Christians always analyzed the Bible through the lens of the dominant philosophical worldview of the time. This was considered a radical notion among Nazarenes, who are fairly conservative. I appreciate that you and your colleagues are willing to explore the give and take between religious and philosophical beliefs.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you Davie. Glad to have you here with us for the exploration.

@priapsus Жыл бұрын

As usual, a great presentation. This is my favorite channel on mysticism. I will admit, however, that a wave of terror went through my body when you flashed up on the screen what appeared to be the cover of Rushdoony's book, "The One and the Many".😀

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you Thomas. Good to have you here. My apologies for any unintended terror :)

@gianluigisegalerba4543 10 ай бұрын

Very good: thank you very much!

@SeekersofUnity 10 ай бұрын

You’re very welcome 🙏🏼

@bethbartlett5692 Жыл бұрын

This "Title Subject" is on my Top 10, I love Jeffrey Mishlove and his *"New Thoughts Allowed"* Channel. Jeffrey is the Quarterback of Metaphysics, some might say, he *introduced the Subject to the greater Collective.* I admire his content and he has some of my Favorite Higher Minded Individuals on his show, ie: *Dr Raymond Moody, I adore the man.*

@melparadise7378 Жыл бұрын

I enjoy listening to these, you have such a lovely voice :)

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Why thank you Mel. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

@nickgangadis8679 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant presentation. Thank you.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

You’re most welcome

@canisronis2753 Жыл бұрын

Very useful, thank you!

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you friend :)

@Protogonas Жыл бұрын

Hyped to watch! I've even gotten one of my friends hooked on you and Dr. Sledge! Keep up the hard work, it's much appreciated.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you friend. You being here with us is much appreciated. Yours, Zevi

@Ekrembo 10 ай бұрын

Enjoyed this very much תודה עד אין סוף 🎉

@SeekersofUnity 10 ай бұрын

You’re very welcome 🙏🏼

@tweadz9846 Жыл бұрын

Blessed be All Blessed be thy feet Blessed be thine enacted will May all be in your favor!

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Amen 🙏🏼

@EliAbramzon Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Interesting enough, as you've mentioned earlier, many of these themes (except unio mystica) can be found in Rambam's Guide. While Kabbalah is also a response to his Aristotelian outlook, it fully embraced Neoplatonism.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

🙏🏼

@knisayusuf Жыл бұрын

thank you😊😊

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

You’re most welcome 🙏🏼

@batbite_ Жыл бұрын

Little pronunciation correction: Nous is pronounced noose like in loose - it's spelled νοῦς in greek: ν=n ο=o υ=y ς=s, ο+υ=u.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏼

@batbite_ Жыл бұрын

You can pronounce Hebrew, so your pronounciation credit is high btw.

@kimwelch4652 5 ай бұрын

The one: Desire (God is Love); The Nous: Thought (the semiotic process of life); Soul: Memory (relationship). Desire, Thought, Memory: the three elements of Choice (Decision-Field Theory). Choice: the function of Freewill. Freewill: the acausal field underlying reality (The Strong Free Will Theorem) that is the weft to the warp of causality, weaving existence.

@a.c.5509 Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏼

@SuenteusPi Жыл бұрын

Good video. I've never been convinced that a "chain of being" does any work to resolve the issue of how to link up the infinite and the finite, though: if the infinite can be linked to one non-infinite thing, then the issue has already been resolved, and the rest of the series isn't doing any work to solve it; but if the thing linked to the infinite is itself infinite, then no progress has been made since the same problem presents itself again. But if the intermediate items are neither infinite nor finite (or are both), then the original issue looks like it was never pressing, and so again the "chain of being" is not doing any work to resolve it. Lessing's broad, ugly ditch remains unleaped in the face of "chains of being" strategies, it seems to me.

@animamundi1 Жыл бұрын

In a gradual evolution and causal process "The effect is encompassed by the cause, in relation to which it is essentially non-existent . . . Thus, even numerous contractions will not avail to there being matter as dense as earth by way of an evolution from the spirituality of the abstract intelligences, nor even (that most subtle and diaphanous type of "matter") of the angels”. Again: “The creation of the worlds is not by way of a development from cause to effect . . . for even myriads upon myriads of occulations and evolutions from grade to grade in a causal process will not avail the development and coming into being of physical matter - not even the matter of the firmament - out of an evolution from spirit. Rather, it is the power of the blessed En Sof (Infinite), the Omnipotent, to create . . . ex nihilo, and this is not by way of a developmental order but by way of a ‘leap’.” Hence, that something non-divine and finite should come about, necessitates there being in the process of emanation a "radical step", a "leap" or "jump" (dilug; kefitzah) which breaks the gradualism and establishes a radical distinction between cause and effect: a radical act of creation. Only after that has occurred can we speak of an evolutionary process culminating in finite and material entities. And this principle is at the root of the doctrines of tzimtzum and the Sefirot introduced by the Kabbalah (and elaborated upon in Chassidism) to solve the problem of creation. This is an excerpt from Mystical Concepts in Chassidism An Introduction to Kabbalistic Concepts and Doctrines by Jacob Immanuel Schochet. Clearly Chabad Chassidut recognises the impossibility of a gradual flow from infinite to finite. The introduction of a magical ‘leap’ does the trick!

@jonyspinoza3310 Жыл бұрын

excellent

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@yuvalmann Жыл бұрын

15:30 Exactly! If God is the one, the individual is God, therefore the act of union, awakening or remembrance is by definition "changing" God. In a way, you are God engaging in its magnificent self-created illusion of playing a human, just so it can experience itself and eventually come back to remember itself out of the dream.

@raycosmic9019 10 ай бұрын

It is the nature of the all-inclusive Absolute (Life) to function/serve as a diversified unity of Infinite potential Eternally actualizing as a unified diversity or Uni-verse, thus, the one all-inclusive Absolute Being in which all relative beings live, move and have their Being.

@betweenearthandsky4091 3 ай бұрын

At about 4:30, I'd like to point out that in Plotinus's thought the One doesn't "produces" the Nous in the sense of creating it, but rather the Nous produces itself from the One, as an overflow on heat radiating from a flame. I'd say this is a key aspect of the process of emanation. As the One in Plotinus's view doesn't have any will and is perfectly immobile, he doesn't produce per say. It's a slight nuance, but I'm sure it is only in the way of wording and not a criticism on your part.

@davedouglass438 Жыл бұрын

Part 1: From Neoplatonism to Kabbalah: A Mystical Exploration 2022-12-30 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/i9ObjZZpmLLHh2w.html Part 2: From Philosophy to Mysticism: How Neoplatonism Influenced Early Kabbalah 2023-01-05 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b7t7YLOWtrSbY6s.html Part 3: The Untold Story of Plato and Plato, Kabbalah and the Italian Renaissance 2023-01-13 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fM9jiaeX0LqpfIU.html Part 4: What is Neoplatonism? (Let's Talk Religion) 2022-12-30 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rMB1iNKQ2K7Tcqs.html Part 5: The Ancient Neo-Platonist Attack on Gnosticism - Plotinus vs Gnosticism (@TheEsotericaChannel) 2022-12-30 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kLxlqMWBteC4Z4k.html Part 6: Plotinus and Iamblichus on Magic Theurgy (@drangelapuca - Angela's Symposium) 2022-12-30 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/orShobGb2K2pqIE.html Part 7: The Platonic Philosophers' Creed by Thomas Taylor (@TheModernHermeticist) 2022-12-30 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jeCUbJuKuK2aeKc.html Part 8: Levels of Intelligibility: Neoplatonism & 4E Cognitive Science (@johnvervaeke) 2022-12-30 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gsibZs9ym-CnmZc.html

@helios7170 Жыл бұрын

Is there absolutely no possibility that Chinese Taoist philosophies which predate Plotinus by some 800 years could have subtly diffused from east to west? The ultimate description of Tao and the Nous / Negative God all have such incredible similarities

@samventi8160 Жыл бұрын

to Athena and her City

@reginaldodonoghue9253 Жыл бұрын

The Ein Sof sounds very similar to the concept of the divine essence in Eastern Orthodoxy.

@Exjewatlarge 2 ай бұрын

Cool story, bro

@SeekersofUnity 2 ай бұрын

🙏🏼

@Ashreinu Жыл бұрын

I just discovered you and I am binging on your videos. Do you have videos on Rav Kook and his kabbalist approach to Jewish Nationalism and the balance between this and his vision for the individual and humanity at large?

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thanks Eli. Welcome. I hope you’re enjoying them. Here’s an interview we did with Bezalel Naor on Rav Kook addressing some of those questions: Rav Kook’s Universalistic Mysticism and Mystical Atheism kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jN96qa2LxtfKYH0.html

@WolfgangYoga Жыл бұрын

Hey Zevi Through the second parts of Kabbalah/Neoplatonism. It’s a little over my head as I know nothing of Kabbalah. What strikes me in Both K & NP is that they are main beliefs or postulations seem to be so clearly rooted In Indian philosophy and Mystical thought Especially beloved Advaita. The practice of Neti Neti Which postulates that one negate every thought Idea or conviction or assumption coming As an answer to the question :Who am I? Or Who is God? (The same, if not identical question) for example, Or the whole thing about the one and the many, total Shiva/Shakti. Alexandria Was integral part of the Silk Road, India a business partner since imperial Roman times. So early K and Greek thinkers as well as the Egyptian mystics were well aware of Indian mystical gnosis which by then was already 5000 years old. So we talking Russian dolls 😊How fascinating though to witness the oneness not only in content but historically too. Timeless really. Many thanks, have been sharing your good work. What’s your best synthetic not too specific 🙃 video introducing Kabbalah to somebody who has no clue about it but has done a Good amount of Sufi Christian mystics and Advaita? Thanks for recommendations 🔱

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed my friend. A good place to begin might be with the central concept of Kabbalah, the Sefirot: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fp97ds2KrdOdmHk.html

@elizabethmorton4904 2 ай бұрын

Hmmm. I don't know Aftermann at all, but I do know a fair bit about Philo, and Philo was very, very careful about NOT indulging in the kind of mysticism we see in Plotinus - the idea of the ultimate union of the soul with God. And all the Philo scholars I read and knew agreed on that point. Philo came close to the idea of the ascent of the soul, but never actually went there himself - he was always very careful to stay within the bounds of Judaism, and honour the distinction between the human and the divine. We'd all love to say that Philo was a mystic and taught the way of ascent, but as a matter of fact, you can't get that out of his actual words. I think he knew the idea from Greek philosophy (pre-Plotinus), and knew not to go there.

@PLERF Жыл бұрын

Tech ads. This is good. Justin's videos get evangelical right to life ads. Even a Hebrew Bible course? is that like the Old testament or is she meaning a hebrew class> ? LOL. Much Love there. Glad Spring is just a moon away. Happy New Year somewhere there's something birthing. Peace. Out. Dance/Sweat your Prayers. Chalom.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

@materiaprima6193 4 ай бұрын

It is a tradition in the Levant that Socrates had visited and mingled with the Jews of Palestine. I have heard this from two different sources which may unite in the Druze traditions.

@xblakelfoglex 5 ай бұрын

I’ll never read the Nicene Creed the same again! Though I wouldn’t label myself a Christian Mystic (I guess I prefer Evangelical), clearly the early Trinitarians had the Neoplatonic framework in mind as they read the New Testament and set out to express their theology of the Incarnation. So much of this is also Pauline in language. Instead of emanation, there is the decent of Χριστός. For the One, there is the Father. For the Intellect, there is the λόγος. These two, though they share one essence (όμοουσιας) they are unique in their υποστασεις (persons, or as we would translate Plotinus, realities). The λόγος (as also used by Philo) not only descends into the cosmos but to the natural world to expose Himself to the matter of creation, only to call us towards Heaven, that is to ascend in union with Him to be One with the Father and the Son as they both are One, by the power of the παρακαλετέ (Advocate; Helper; i.e. the Holy Spirit). That the whole plan of salvation is to be adopted as sons and daughters of the Father, Jesus being the “first born” and guided in a sanctifying life that would “conform us to the image of [the Father’s] Son.” So many parallels! How fascinating! Thank you as always for your content! It is a blessing to seek along with you! May Hashem bless and keep you 🙏

@jiggerbrown2071 Жыл бұрын

Just curious didn’t Plato learn from ancient Kemit/mizraim/Egypt?

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Ah. Gotta wait for part 3 of the series. We’re getting there 😉

@AtommHD Жыл бұрын

Thank you... This needs addressing. Because Kemet was the foundation of metaphysical theology.

@AtommHD Жыл бұрын

How come when discussing early theology the influence of Kemet (Egypt) on these works are never mentioned

@aminrodriguez4707 Жыл бұрын

Parallelomania, hmmmm that is a sword's edge right there.

@johntaylor9381 Жыл бұрын

So how (if at all) does this relate to Spinoza? Sorry, I’m jumping forward in time quite a bit.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Haha. Check out our vids on Spinoza and Mysticism and on Spinoza on Kabbalah for that end of the story.

@dwoski Жыл бұрын

"Nous," is, I believe, pronounced as if it were spelled noose, as in moose, not as in mouse.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

My bad. Thank you.

@celestialscripture Жыл бұрын

3168 views. Interesting.

@TeaForecast 10 ай бұрын

Sleep in a tent under a full moon. Rise to view the moon through the screen in your tent. See an 8-pointed radial star instead of a circle. Hmmm... 8. Yeah, I can see how a spiritually attuned, math-centric, musically inclined, creative type might just see the light as speaking to him directly. I thought of all the hill and forest folk and saw for myself how this may have arisen naturally.

@FreedomandRights4US Жыл бұрын

G-d bless you

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Blessed be those who bless.

@claytonporter7878 7 ай бұрын

REVIEWING

@chrisrosenkreuz23 Жыл бұрын

Language is a mirror of reality. And what do we use with language if not names for things? Etymologically speaking Nous is mind, intellect and noumena are what the intellect uses to discern things. As Kant puts it, while we know the noumenal world to exist because human sensibility is merely receptive, it is not itself sensible and must therefore remain otherwise unknowable to us. The noumenon is often associated with the unknowable "thing-in-itself". So basically the Nous (name/noun/known) is is associated with *but is not* the thing in itself, like a port via which we are made aware of the thing in itself. The known part is the port. The unknown part is the thing. The map is not the territory heheh.

@michaelhason5310 Жыл бұрын

The problem of the one and the many is not a “problem.” It is only a problem for those who think it is a problem.

@kimw200blaze4 Жыл бұрын

Isn't an perfect and most obvious archetypal story of Unio Mystica presented in Jacob's ladder? Many theological writers have pointed this out. God here takes the initiative firstly, in seeking out Jacob. Jacob did not build the ladder to Heaven. God seeks him out with an invitation and extends the ladder to him. This contrasts with the Tower of Babel, where Man makes takes the initiative to build his own way to heaven. The contrast between these biblical stories is just so obvious and striking, as many have pointed out. The one and true journey to heaven, is through an mystical and spiritual pathway. The other false attempt to reach heaven by contrast, is through vanity, materialism and pride.

@Djimenez77 Жыл бұрын

As a sad emo theologian I was disappointed when I realized you weren't talking about us :( Just kidding, wonderful video.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Thanks David ;)

@aminrodriguez4707 Жыл бұрын

Was Philo into merkava mistycism?

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Not that we know of.

@AtommHD Жыл бұрын

Negative theology in ancient Sanskrit is known as Neti Neti (Anatman) the Absolute is not this or not that. Beyond name and form and essence of All

@raycosmic9019 6 ай бұрын

Supernals: Ain = Since that which is not, is not; That which is, is. Reality = That which is/That I am. Ain Soph = That which is, that is nothing in particular (actual), is by definition everything in general (potential) = All-inclusive/Absolute. Ain Soph Aur = It is the nature of That which is, the All in One in All, to function/serve as a diversified unity of Infinite potential, eternally actualizing as a unified diversity or Uni-verse. 0. Potential = Being 1. Actual = Becoming (actualized). 1. Kether = Crown = Life 2. Chokmah = Eternity 3. Binah = Infinity 4. Chesed = Actuality 5. Geburah= Potentiality 6. Tiphereth = Conversion 7. Netzach = Experience 8. Hod = Awareness 9. Yesod = Psyche 10. Malkuth = Soma Daath = Gnosis = Being aware of being aware.

@elizondorj 10 ай бұрын

Why must there be a One? Why does it starts with a One? It is not arithmetic, we're not counting 1,2 3... Infinity is all there is, all there was and all there will be; multuplicity from the very start.

@tomscullin Жыл бұрын

The constant implication that neoplatonism didn't influence kabbalah as much as scholars have claimed was significantly overplayed in this video. Especially given that there was no substantial evidence presented after nearly a full hour.

@ready1fire1aim1 Жыл бұрын

El (E source) = monotheistic God of Bronze Age Israel (hence the name Isra-El). Yahwism "Uncountable" (J source) = polytheistic religion of Iron Age Israelites. Elohim is different depending on whether the Yahwist or Elohist are using the term: Yahwist Elohim means gods/goddesses. Plural gods/goddesses. Polytheism. Elohist Elohim means Sons of God. Singular God. Monotheism. A Chosen/Anointed 3 Elohim are the Holy Trinity of Christianity.

@jahangir1 Жыл бұрын

Hand movement is pretty distracting to concentrate.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

My apologies 🙏🏼

@ready1fire1aim1 Жыл бұрын

Seekers of Unity you guys know that Hoshea/Joshua Son of Nun was from Tribe of Ephraim, right? Have you read Tribe of Ephraim's Book of Joshua? Or just Tribe of Judah's version of Tribe of Ephraim's Book of Joshua? I wonder why nobody can prove to Tribe of Judah who Iesous was in the Old Testament 🤔 Who could ever solve this unsolvable problem aaaaa

@YBelieve369 4 ай бұрын

Is that home library 😂 🧐?

@maximonoahide3268 Жыл бұрын

Because of this video now I have ignoramuses telling me that Jewish Mysticism is neo-platonism. Thanks for giving a pretext for ignoramuses.

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

We take the risk of being misunderstood and misconstrued when we set out to educate. It’s one of the many prices we pay.

@michaelhason5310 Жыл бұрын

Try Sri Aurobindo for an answer to your questions.

@kilhapuritybold Жыл бұрын

"emo theologians" 🤣 Great info loved every bit as usual but the emo theologians got me

@SeekersofUnity Жыл бұрын

Hehe. Thank you Kilha. Glad you enjoyed it :)

@iskandarkhantm6530 Жыл бұрын

Eversince muslim empire conquered Eygpt , they translated alot of greek works into arabic. Thats when they dound neoplatonism. Muslim sufi mystic and jewish mystic shared a moment together wirh ibrahim abu lafiah In the end, i must say. What made abrahamic theist believe in the concept framework in neoplatonism. They have very strict understanding of God.

@elizabethmorton4904 2 ай бұрын

A long time ago I was doing a doctoral degree in "early Judaism," with a focus on Philo (couldn't complete due to adverse circus.). I wouldn't say at all that the author of the Gospel of John got the idea of the Logos from Philo - I've read an awful lot about both the Gospel of John and Philo, and I have never heard of anyone making that claim. The early Church Fathers, definitely, but NOT, NOT, NOT the Gospel of John. "John" probably picked up the idea from the Stoic ideas floating around the Greco-Roman world. There is nothing else, other than the idea of the Logos, that we find in both GJn and Philo, most certainly nothing that indicates dependence. The idea of the Logos was very well-known. What do your sources actually say? Be really careful here - this is parallelomania of the worst kind! Sorry to critique, but your stuff is great, so far, and I know you are concerned to avoid fallacies such as parallelomania. It just so happens that you are talking, here at 53:55, about something I actually know a fair bit about. Given your areas of research, I wouldn't expect you to know that much about GJn! If I'm wrong, please tell me! I would really want to know!