/lit/ - Literature

>>20256461
Funny you mention Plotinus, I was on the verge of purchasing the Enneads yesterday (edited by Gerson) but have held off as I am re-reading some of Plato's dialogues (my first intro to philosophy actually, from which I retain cherished memories of a new world opening in my consciousness).

I have dabbled in alchemical writings through Jung (skimmed some Paracelsus and Boheme, when I say skimmed I mean in a pejorative/diletante way of course) -- it is highly seductive but also at the same time a turn-off -- I am talking about all the figurative/symbolic/metaphoric language specifically, without a proper guide it can be very dangerous and just lead you into a downward spiral, just my impression... This is why I was so attracted to the Yoga Sutras which were a no nonsense methodical approach to practice...When people mention Guenon's attraction to Hinduism retaining the most clear methods, I understand why...

>I have burned away a lot of my ordinary personality through more violent methods

This I am interested in. I have constantly tried but failed to maintain any sort of consistency in my life when it comes to killing ego and reigning in carnal desires.

Also I have no one around me to talk about these things or share experiences or learn from.

I have also been deeply effected by the "heroes of old" and was at one time very interested in Indo-European and Proto-Indo-European (although I grew up in America, I am originally from the Caucasus, I was born amongst the mountains and English is not my first language but it is by far my strongest language where I have had my intellectual upbringing).

>I'm not sure if you would like me to recommend sone sources
Please do, nothing extensive is necessary, just a few key elements based on your intuitive response to what I have written.