Mystics of the Renaissance

INTRODUCTION

No! No! These are deeds of the world-spirit and therefore of destiny. Therein the Philosophers are nearer to the Master than are those who feed themselves with the crumbs of the spirit; they read or write the Cabinet Orders original: "Kabinettsordres." In Hegel's time, these were direct decrees issued by a sovereign. He uses this metaphor to suggest that philosophers are not just observers, but are present in the "inner office" of the universe, helping to draft the very laws of destiny. in the original at once; they are constrained to write them out along with Him. The Philosophers are the Initiates original: "Mystæ," from the Greek "mystai." These were the initiates into the ancient Mystery schools who were permitted to see the secret rites. Hegel uses this to describe philosophers as those who have been admitted into the innermost secrets of existence. who, at the crisis in the inmost shrine, were there and took part.”

When Hegel said this, he had experienced one of those moments just spoken of. He uttered the phrases when, in the course of his remarks, he had reached the close of Greek philosophy; and through them he showed that once, like a gleam of lightning, the meaning of the Neoplatonic philosophy A school of mystical philosophy that arose in the 3rd century AD, blending the ideas of Plato with other spiritual traditions. It emphasizes the soul's journey back to a divine "One.", of which he was just treating, had flashed upon him. In the instant of this flash, he had become intimate with minds like Plotinus Plotinus (c. 204–270 AD) was the founder of Neoplatonism. He taught that through meditation and intellectual effort, the human soul could transcend the physical world and experience union with the Divine..