The Origin of Western Mysticism: Selected Writings of Plotinus (Classics of Mystical Literature Series)

The mystical revelations of Plotinus, the great Neo-Platonist philosopher who taught in 3rd century Rome, have long been read and appreciated by scholars and theologians; but this new treatment of Plotinus explores his ideas and his influence upon the Western philosophical tradition in a way that is as accesssible to the modern lay reader as to scholars. This book,THE ORIGIN OF WESTERN MYSTICISM: Selected Writings of Plotinus is formed almost entirely of excerpts from Plotinus' book, the Enneads, arranged topically so as to facillitate a clear understanding of all elements of his metaphysical philosophy. And it includes a revealing Introduction, and commentaries by S. Abhayananda which should serve to open the way to a modern reevaluation of this great mystic's extraordinary vision.