The Philosophy of Neoplatonism

Neoplatonism is a philosophical system that emerged in the 3rd century CE, largely shaped by the philosopher Plotinus. It is an extension and interpretation of Plato’s philosophy but incorporates elements of mysticism and metaphysics, focusing on the hierarchical structure of reality and the journey of the soul toward unity with the One, or the ultimate source of all existence.

Key Concepts in Neoplatonism:

1. The One (The Good): In Neoplatonism, The One is the ultimate, ineffable source of all reality. It is beyond being and thought, existing as the singular origin from which everything emanates. The goal of life is to return to The One by transcending the material world and realizing unity with this divine source.

2. Emanation: The universe is understood as a series of emanations from The One. First comes the Nous (Divine Mind), which contains the perfect forms and ideas, followed by the World Soul, which bridges the spiritual and material worlds. Finally, matter is the lowest level of existence. Each level is more distant from The One but remains connected through this process of emanation.

3. The Ascent of the Soul: Human souls originate from The One and, through introspection and spiritual practice, can ascend back to it. This process involves transcending the material world, which is seen as a lesser, imperfect reflection of true reality, and reconnecting with the divine.

4. The Role of Contemplation: Contemplation or meditation is central to Neoplatonism, as it allows individuals to move beyond the distractions of the material world and connect with the higher realms of existence. It is through contemplation that the soul can attain knowledge of The One and ultimately merge with it.

5. Evil as the Absence of Good: In Neoplatonism, evil is not a force in itself but the absence of good, arising from the distance between matter and The One. It is the result of ignorance or separation from the divine, and it can be overcome through spiritual enlightenment and ascent.

Analyzing Neoplatonism through the Lens of OM

Neoplatonism and the Oneness Movement (OM) share fundamental principles, especially in their focus on transcendence, the interconnectedness of all beings, and the idea of returning to a singular source of existence. However, OM incorporates a broader framework that includes a more experiential path to gnosis and emphasizes a deliberate approach to fulfilling CONAF (Circle of Needs and Fulfillment) through the cultivation of virtues like wisdom, kindness, and strength.

1. Oneness and The One: Unity at the Core

In Neoplatonism, The One is the source of all existence, a perfect, ineffable unity from which everything emanates. Similarly, OM holds that Oneness is the fundamental reality of the universe, where all beings are fragments of the same universal consciousness.

• Alignment: Both systems emphasize that the ultimate goal of existence is to return to the source. For Neoplatonists, this means merging with The One; for OM, it is the realization of Oneness. Both view the world as a manifestation of a singular reality, where multiplicity is an illusion, and the deeper truth lies in unity.

• Difference: OM places a stronger emphasis on the direct experience or gnosis of Oneness. While Neoplatonism focuses on contemplation as a way to ascend toward The One, OM encourages spiritual experiences—through meditation or psychedelic practices—that allow individuals to experience Oneness firsthand, beyond intellectual understanding.

2. Gnosis: Experiential Knowledge vs. Contemplation

Neoplatonism teaches that contemplation of higher realities allows individuals to gain knowledge of The One. This process is intellectual and spiritual, requiring the soul to ascend through different levels of existence, away from the material and toward the divine.

• Alignment: OM and Neoplatonism agree that gnosis, or direct knowledge of the divine, is the ultimate path to transcendence. Both traditions suggest that the soul can ascend and return to its divine origin through spiritual practice and inner reflection.

• Difference: OM emphasizes the importance of experiential gnosis, where individuals directly experience the interconnectedness of all beings and Oneness. While Neoplatonism prioritizes contemplation, OM opens up the path to gnosis through mystical experiences, including the responsible use of psychedelics as a sacrament, to transcend the limitations of the mind and directly access universal consciousness.

3. Purpose: Transcendence and Return to the Source

Both Neoplatonism and OM share a metaphysical goal: to transcend the limitations of the material world and return to the divine source. In Neoplatonism, this process involves moving from the material realm, through the Nous and World Soul, back to The One. In OM, the goal is to transcend the ego and merge with Oneness, recognizing that all beings are connected to the same universal consciousness.

• Alignment: Both traditions teach that the purpose of life is to transcend material desires and attachments and to align oneself with the higher, divine reality. OM agrees with Neoplatonism that the material world is an imperfect reflection of true reality and that the ultimate goal is to return to the source.

• Difference: OM incorporates a more practical, experiential approach to achieving this purpose, focusing on the cultivation of virtues like wisdom, kindness, and strength as part of fulfilling one’s CONAF and progressing toward higher consciousness. Neoplatonism, in contrast, emphasizes intellectual and spiritual contemplation as the primary path to transcendence.

4. CONAF (Circle of Needs and Fulfillment) and Emanation

In Neoplatonism, the process of emanation describes how all beings and things flow from The One. Each level of emanation is less perfect than the one before it, with the material world representing the most distant and imperfect form of reality.

• Alignment: OM’s concept of CONAF (Circle of Needs and Fulfillment) can be seen as a process of aligning one’s needs with the universal flow of Oneness, similar to how everything in Neoplatonism emanates from The One. Both traditions agree that living in alignment with the higher reality leads to a more harmonious and fulfilled existence.

• Difference: OM places more emphasis on the intentional fulfillment of personal and spiritual needs through the cultivation of virtue. While Neoplatonism suggests that the material world is inherently flawed and must be transcended, OM encourages individuals to mindfully engage with the material world in a way that fosters personal growth and alignment with Oneness. The fulfillment of needs in OM is part of a broader spiritual journey toward self-realization, rather than a process of rejecting the material realm.

5. Lower Consciousness (LC) and Higher Consciousness (HC)

In Neoplatonism, matter is seen as the lowest and most imperfect level of existence, distant from The One. The soul’s task is to ascend beyond the material and reconnect with the higher realms of the Nous and The One. This parallels OM’s concept of Lower Consciousness (LC), where individuals are trapped in ego, selfish desires, and attachment to material reality.

• Alignment: Both Neoplatonism and OM teach that humans must transcend lower forms of existence to reconnect with the divine. For Neoplatonists, this means moving beyond the material world and ascending to higher realms of existence. In OM, this corresponds to moving from LC to Higher Consciousness (HC), where individuals transcend the ego and experience unity with Oneness.

• Difference: OM integrates a practical, actionable framework for moving from LC to HC, with a focus on cultivating virtues and fulfilling CONAF as steps toward achieving higher consciousness. Neoplatonism, on the other hand, focuses on the intellectual and contemplative ascent of the soul. OM emphasizes that gnosis can be achieved through direct experiences, while Neoplatonism leans more toward intellectual contemplation as the means of transcending the lower forms of existence.

Conclusion: Neoplatonism and Oneness Movement (OM) – Transcendence and Spiritual Ascent

Both Neoplatonism and the Oneness Movement (OM) share profound commonalities in their understanding of transcendence, unity, and the soul’s journey toward returning to the source of all existence. Neoplatonism’s concept of The One as the ultimate reality closely parallels OM’s core belief in Oneness, and both traditions teach that the soul must ascend beyond the material world to reconnect with this divine unity.

However, OM expands upon Neoplatonism by offering a more experiential path to gnosis, incorporating spiritual practices and the deliberate cultivation of virtues to fulfill CONAF and achieve higher consciousness. While Neoplatonism emphasizes intellectual contemplation and the hierarchical ascent of the soul, OM encourages individuals to engage in spiritual experiences that provide direct gnosis of Oneness, fostering a deeper connection to the universal consciousness.

Together, these philosophies offer a powerful framework for personal and spiritual growth, guiding individuals toward self-realization and ultimate unity with the divine source.