Reflections on the Soul Variations on a Theme by Plotinus

The Soul has been a topic of metaphysical speculation since Plato in the West and the Upanishads in the East. But do we believe in the soul today? Some do; but for many, it is an archaic and outmoded concept. The concept of the soul or Spirit is rarely considered to be an element of our contemporary cosmological framework; rather, the body or Matter is routinely considered to be the sole existent. Yet, there are many questions, even today, concerning the nature of life, consciousness, and the subjective experiences we label as “spiritual”, that still beg for answers. Finding few satisfactory answers in the contemporary ‘scientific’ worldview, many are wondering if it might not be beneficial to have another look at the answers provided by the philosophers and ‘seers’ of ancient times who were more inclined to a spiritual or metaphysical approach. One such philosopher that stands out for reexamination is the third century Neoplatonist, Plotinus. In Reflections On The Soul, Swami Abhayananda examines the metaphysical theory of the soul from the perspective of this great third century mystic-philosopher, whose visionary experiences convinced him that souls do indeed exist and are an emanation of the Divine reality. Fusing what is timeless in the spiritual revelations of Plotinus with the empirically based worldview of contemporary science, Abhayananda fashions a seamless metaphysical vision tailored to our 21st century perspective that is highly credible and satisfying. Reflections On The Soul enables us to cast aside our normal philosophical skepticism, awakens us to a new and wonderful appreciation for the spiritual wisdom of the ancients, and rekindles our enthusiasm for the possibility of a world Divinely ensouled.