From Philosophy to Mysticism: How Neoplatonism Influenced Early Kabbalah

[@SeekersofUnity]

Part 3: Plato, Kabbalah and the Italian Renaissance kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJqWh3ecoLl4grM Check out the rest of our wonderful collaborators: Let's Talk Religion - What is Neoplatonism: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIuohqKVqK2ieNk Esoterica - Neoplatonism vs Gnosticism: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIeYppWGhd-Hbbc Angela's Symposium - Plotinus and Iamblichus on Theurgy and Magic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/on_Un4GgqKx4rq8 TheModernHermeticist - The Platonic Philosophers' Creed by Thomas Taylor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/javHamuPiKxpftU John Vervaeke - Neoplatonism & 4E Cognitive Science: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpPOZJ93a992n8U

[@singhjasbeer5216]

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]

It's an honour. Thank you Singh.

[@christiandoscher1016]

The One or the 1?

[@InTheRhettRow]

indo european

[@EliAbramzon]

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]

@@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]

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

[@sethcable2322]

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]

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

[@aminrodriguez4707]

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.

[@leeds48]

I enjoyed the final question too, and think that mystical experiences may explain much of the commonality in mysticism seen round the world. But I suspect that it wasn't just people having a vague experience/feeling of unity and then going looking for answers, and then finding only a limited number of answers. That is, I don't think the great chain of being is going to just pop into their minds every time. I think the experiences themselves are often providing specific information, hints, insights, philosophical content - and that this is most likely the main source of the commonality. Look at how much similarity there is in the themes, insights and information revealed in near death experiences, and these experiences have been documented for centuries going back to Plato's Republic. This kind of thing can help explain the amazing similarity between Neo-Platonism and Advaita Vedanta, for example.

[@IpsissimusPrime]

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]

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

[@asielnorton345]

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]

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

[@AtommHD]

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.

[@alwilliams5177]

I believe this is some of the highest quality religious education on KZbin. 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]

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

[@jedimmj11]

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]

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

[@betweenearthandsky4091]

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.

[@TheModernHermeticist]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

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.

[@davieboy3814]

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]

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

[@shogun9450]

Your light continues to light others, thank you

[@SeekersofUnity]

Thank you friend.

[@michaelbates2823]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@shaharfrydman]

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]

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

[@EliAbramzon]

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]

🙏🏼

[@emZee1994]

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]

☺️😎

[@leom141]

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

[@a.c.5509]

Thanks

[@SeekersofUnity]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@Protogonas]

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]

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

[@thishandleistacken]

As someone who jives most with a syncretic philosophy of Kabbalah (as well as earlier Jewish Mysticism) and Neoplatonism (as well as Hermeticism) this was supremely (or should I say Supernally?) captivating. Thank you

[@canisronis2753]

Very useful, thank you!

[@SeekersofUnity]

Thank you friend :)

[@nickgangadis8679]

Brilliant presentation. Thank you.

[@SeekersofUnity]

You’re most welcome

[@colingallagher1648]

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]

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

[@daroay]

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

[@AtommHD]

And they all got it from the Kemetians

[@EverythingHumorous]

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

[@phildray83]

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]

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

[@everythingtorah]

Thank you so much for this incredible shiur logically defending the origins of Kabbalah and pointing out similarities doesnt always necessarily mean one influenced another, especially when dealing with universal existential questions

[@kosmicwizard]

Awesome! Thanks for this. :)

[@SeekersofUnity]

You’re most welcome 🙏🏼

[@Nussknacker1]

Great episode. Lots to think about!

[@SeekersofUnity]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@bethbartlett5692]

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.*

[@priapsus]

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]

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

[@betweenearthandsky4091]

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.

[@tweadz9846]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

Amen 🙏🏼

[@helios7170]

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

[@gianluigisegalerba4543]

Very good: thank you very much!

[@SeekersofUnity]

You’re very welcome 🙏🏼

[@psychosynthesis_selfmastery]

Awesome content, clear and concise to the point 🙏

[@SeekersofUnity]

You’re most welcome. Thank you.

[@melparadise7378]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@alohm]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@mironalexandra4602]

thank you so much for this podcast full of precious information

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@yuvalmann]

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.

[@FraterRC]

Otto is great! Thanks for another awesome episode!

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@Ekrembo]

Enjoyed this very much תודה עד אין סוף 🎉

[@SeekersofUnity]

You’re very welcome 🙏🏼

[@knisayusuf]

thank you😊😊

[@SeekersofUnity]

You’re most welcome 🙏🏼

[@ShiyrChadash]

By definition, there can be only one all-inclusive or Absolute Being (Life - the All in One in All), in which all relative beings live, move and have their Being. Love is the conscious recognition (namaste') of our shared Being. Gnosis = Self-Knowing = Delphic Oracle = Know Thyself All change for the better begins and ends (alpha and omega) at the still point of silence - simply being aware of being aware (Gnosis).

[@SuenteusPi]

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]

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!

[@Ashreinu]

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]

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 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKqtp32QltaZZqs

[@WolfgangYoga]

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]

I'm glad you enjoyed my friend. A good place to begin might be with the central concept of Kabbalah, the Sefirot: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmqudJ2PfdJsnqc

[@batbite_]

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]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@batbite_]

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

[@jiggerbrown2071]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@AtommHD]

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

[@davedouglass438]

Part 1: From Neoplatonism to Kabbalah: A Mystical Exploration 2022-12-30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i57Oi2ZuaLGWjZo Part 2: From Philosophy to Mysticism: How Neoplatonism Influenced Early Kabbalah 2023-01-05 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4auXoObhrNqadk Part 3: The Untold Story of Plato and Plato, Kabbalah and the Italian Renaissance 2023-01-13 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJqWh3ecoLl4grM Part 4: What is Neoplatonism? (Let's Talk Religion) 2022-12-30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIuohqKVqK2ieNk Part 5: The Ancient Neo-Platonist Attack on Gnosticism - Plotinus vs Gnosticism (@TheEsotericaChannel) 2022-12-30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIeYppWGhd-Hbbc Part 6: Plotinus and Iamblichus on Magic Theurgy (@drangelapuca - Angela's Symposium) 2022-12-30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/on_Un4GgqKx4rq8 Part 7: The Platonic Philosophers' Creed by Thomas Taylor (@TheModernHermeticist) 2022-12-30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/javHamuPiKxpftU Part 8: Levels of Intelligibility: Neoplatonism & 4E Cognitive Science (@johnvervaeke) 2022-12-30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpPOZJ93a992n8U

[@kimwelch4652]

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.

[@reginaldodonoghue9253]

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

[@raycosmic9019]

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.

[@jonyspinoza3310]

excellent

[@SeekersofUnity]

Thank you.

[@AtommHD]

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

[@xblakelfoglex]

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 🙏

[@elizabethmorton4904]

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.

[@materiaprima6193]

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.

[@DolanIre_blackhair]

Thank

[@samventi8160]

to Athena and her City

[@Exjewatlarge]

Cool story, bro

[@SeekersofUnity]

🙏🏼

[@johntaylor9381]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@aminrodriguez4707]

Was Philo into merkava mistycism?

[@SeekersofUnity]

Not that we know of.

[@PLERF]

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]

:)

[@michaelhason5310]

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.

[@dwoski]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

My bad. Thank you.

[@tsenotanev]

33:30 .. why athens or jerusalem... i hear it's both from alexandria...

[@aminrodriguez4707]

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

[@CharlesGodwin-ck2se]

Ain = Reality = That which is Ain Soph = Life = That I am Ain Soph Aur = Reality/Life = That which is/That I am).

[@TeaForecast]

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.

[@chrisrosenkreuz23]

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.

[@tomscullin]

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.

[@kimw200blaze4]

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]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

Thanks David ;)

[@celestialscripture]

3168 views. Interesting.

[@maximonoahide3268]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@claytonporter7878]

REVIEWING

[@elizondorj]

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.

[@raycosmic9019]

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.

[@AtommHD]

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

[@jahangir1]

Hand movement is pretty distracting to concentrate.

[@SeekersofUnity]

My apologies 🙏🏼

[@FreedomandRights4US]

G-d bless you

[@SeekersofUnity]

Blessed be those who bless.

[@YBelieve369]

Is that home library 😂 🧐?

[@ready1fire1aim1]

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

[@kilhapuritybold]

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

[@SeekersofUnity]

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

[@WolfgangKLX]

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.

[@michaelhason5310]

Try Sri Aurobindo for an answer to your questions.

[@ready1fire1aim1]

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.

[@elizabethmorton4904]

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!

[@Hbmd3E]

Tree of death become tree of Life. You already believe you are part of God your self. Joh. 10.29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Yeshua answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Yeshua answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? f he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

[@michaelhason5310]

Your explanation of the progression of emanation from 2nd to 3rd seffiroth is unclear or incomplete.

[@michaelbruce7327]

Neoplatonism is neoheleniism.

[@michaelhason5310]

The Jewish mystic actually cannot really rectify G-d as he is eternally perfect. By purifying themselves they did rectify G-d’s emanation.