For someone coming from Dharmic metaphysics (Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Taoism, Yoga), what books would you recommend for learning about and studying Neoplatonism? I mean modern books, besides the historical classics.What I like about Dharmic paths is that they are still alive. You have lots of metaphysical theory, but you also have clear practical paths, simple meditation methods (anapanasati, dzogchen, mahamudra, etc.), and a graded path with stages so you know where you are and what to do next (jhanas, rupas/lokas, samadhi, etc.), how to live the good life (precepts, ashrama, etc.). Are there things like that in Neoplatonism? I am perennialist and curious to study a more "Western" serious metaphysics, which is not just a regurgitation of Kabbalah like most Western occult schools.
>>24794035Read Plato’s complete works and at least Metaphysics by Aristotle for a deeper appreciation of the background of Plotinus and then read the Enneads, then branch off to whatever later Neoplatonist author you want to read.Lloyd Gerson and Eric Perl are good secondary sources.>Are there things like that in Neoplatonism?Sort of, Plotinus is more of a ‘direct-path’ kind of guy in comparison to later Neoplatonists who focus on Tantra-like methods more with stuff like theurgy although his exact method is not anywhere near as precisely defined and explained as in the eastern traditions.
Gregory Shaw is worth a read, both of his books and the Iamblichus source material as well. Hellenic Tantra comes somewhat close to what you speak of.
>>24794035That pic is my insides rn
>>24794035>For someone coming from Dharmic metaphysics (Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Taoism, Yoga), what books would you recommend for learning about and studying Neoplatonism? I mean modern books, besides the historical classics.Doctrine of the Buddha, George Grimm.
>primary textsPlotinus -- The EnneadsProclus -- Elements of TheologyIamblichus -- Theurgia / De MysteriisDamascius -- Problems and Solutions Concerning First Principles>secondariesShaw -- Hellenistic TantraUzdavinys -- Orpheus and Roots of PlatonismHadot -- What is Ancient Philosophy?
