Henosis

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Henosis is also a synonym of Bulbophyllum, a genus of orchid.
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Within the realm of Neoplatonic philosophy, henosis (Greek ἕνωσις "unity, oneness") is the goal of union with the Monad, Source, or the One.

To get closest to the One, each individual must engage in divine work (theurgy) according to Iamblichus of Chalcis. This divine work can be defined as each individual dedicating their lives to making the created world and mankind's relationship to it, and one another, better. Under the teachings of Iamblichus (see the Egyptian Mysteries), one goes through a series of theurgy or rituals that unites the initiate to the Monad. These rituals mimic the ordering of the chaos of the Universe into the material world or cosmos. They also mimic the actions of the demiurge as the creator of the material world.

Each individual as a microcosm reflects the gradual ordering of the universe referred to as the macrocosm. In mimicking the demiurge (divine mind), one unites with The One or Monad. Thus the process of unification, of "The Being", and "The One", is called Henosis. The culmination of Henosis is deification.

As is specified in the writings of Plotinus,[1][2] the highest stage of deification is tabula rasa, or a blank state where the individual may grasp or merge with The Source (or The One, this process being henosis or unity). Here within Plotinus the monad can be referred to as the Good above the demiurge. In the writings of Plotinus called the Enneads the monad is of one singular expression. Any division, the last being duality (dyad), is completely missing from the Monad, Source or One (see monism). Henosis for Plotinus was defined in his works as a meditation (in the Western mind to uncontemplate) toward no thought (Nous or demiurge) and no division (dyad) within the individual.

At the point of unity individuals become energy, force (since they are stripped of their persons); the energy, force of individuals is then returned to the infinite energy, force -- the Source or One -- and reamalgamated back into the Universe.[3] The process then starts again and brings another part of the universe into line with the Monad (see Pantheism). [4][5]

Within the works of Iamblichus, The One and reconciliation of division can be obtained through the process of theurgy. By mimicking the demiurge, the individual is returned to the cosmos to implement the will of the divine mind. Iamblichus used the rituals of the mystery religions to perform rituals on the individual to unite their outer and inner person. Thus one without conflict internal or external is united with The One.

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[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Our thought cannot grasp the One as long as any other image remains active in the soul . . To this end, you must set free your soul from all outward things and turn wholly within yourself, with no more leaning to what lies outside, and lay your mind bare of ideal forms, as before of the objects of sense, and forget even yourself, and so come within sight of that One. [6.9.7]
  2. ^ If he remembers who he became when he merged with the One, he will bear its image in himself. He was himself one, with no diversity in himself or his outward relations; for no movement was in him, no passion, no desire for another, once the ascent was accomplished. Nor indeed was there any reason or though, nor, if we dare say it, any trace of himself. [6.9.11.]
  3. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=WSbrLPup7wYC&pg=PA173&dq=plotinus+energeia&sig=_pNuhvtMY4HEJWulC7-WTIWGDTA
  4. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=VrB53l4wNK0C&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=plotinus+energy&source=web&ots=rbnlnnwui5&sig=84RfXY8ErxUowZm2xT21Nuk8_II#PPA6,M1
  5. ^ Enneads VI 9.6

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