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Author : Moin Mir
Pages : 344
Published by Roli Books
Book Description:
In 242 CE Gordian III, caesar and emperor of Rome marched out at the head of his glorious army with the objective of defeating Persia in war. Embedded in the army was Plotinus, a philosopher who nurtured a secret dream - one of reaching India. Plotinus had long yearned to study the Upanishads and he saw an opportunity to reach as far as Persia with the army and then make his way into ancient India. But his dream lay shattered on the banks of the Tigris.
1,780 years after Plotinus’ failed attempt at reaching India, Moin Mir travels in his footsteps fulfilling his dream of reaching India and reading the Upanishads. Through his travels across India, Egypt, Italy, Greece, and Turkey the author tries to understand the core concept of Plotinian thought - ‘Unity and oneness’. He uses Plotinus’ philosophy to observe how the free will of intellect uses ‘unity’ for good and evil. Intimate conversations with refugees escaping war, innocent boatmen drifting down the Nile, simple farmers, and monks in Greece along with observation of ancient art and architecture inform his thoughts and writing on the concept of the oneness of humankind - its immense power to bring good and yet its vulnerability to the stealth of intellect to destroy and self-destruct.
Book Review:
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The book starts with important dates & references to Plotinus's travels and also a brief introduction about Plotinus and his works and how it's connected to this book. The author took his time in elaborating the basic principles and teachings of Plotinus and his dream in the introduction itself. To tap into the thoughts of an ancient period is one thing, but to explore the brilliant mind of Plotinus is utterly incomparable.
"So the inmost self of all beings dwells
Enwrapped in every form, and yet remains outside"
Certainly, a book that will make you think, however, it is probably not just for the casual read. To get the most from this book you need to set aside the time to fully digest exactly what it is. It is certainly easy to read and with each chapter representing a different journey and topic following along is easy. Those Greeks were always the ones who intrigued and amazed me, I got to know a few more things about them along with the Egyptians.
"To place being happy in actions is to place it in externals rather than in the virtue of soul"
Well-written and easily readable for those acquainted with philosophy and also for those new to the study. I loved the enthusiasm shown by the author throughout the book, I never expected it to be a super fast read.
"What is it with me that I endure a long estrangement from my homeland?
Have I been born fated to live in exile."
Through each journey the author keeps the readers hooked to the book. He started his journey from Rome, visiting important places, following the footprints of Plotinus. He covered Italy, Egypt, Greece and Turkey. Communicating with native people, analysing his own inner thoughts and comparing them with Plotinus's thoughts.
The author did a commendable work in giving us insights from Upanishads, Enneads and Quron. I'm very much interested in that part, as everything is interconnected with each other. The author carefully curated the pictures for the readers to get the visual effects of his descriptions.
Rating : 4.5/10
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