Initiation into the Philosophy of Plato - Softcover

Raphael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0856831794 ISBN 13: 9780856831799

Publisher: Shepheard-Walwyn (Publishers) Ltd, 1999

Synopsis

The philosophy associated with the name of Plato has had an immense influence on European thought and civilization, but, as the author of this work points out, it is a mistake to think of it as Plato's philosophy. He was one of the greatest exponents of an ancient philosophical tradition stretching back into the mists of time. Raphael draws a brief comparison between him and Shankara, the great exponent of "Advaita Vedanta" in India. To Plato, philosophy was not simply an academic study, it was a life transforming discipline: a way of life leading to the realization of man's full potential.

About this title

Review

My experience with this book reminds of a (human) 'love affair'. Some years ago I found myself - more intuitively drawn than based upon concrete facts - attracted to the Italian Advaitin and author Raphael. The very first Raphael-book I 'ran into by accident' was this Plato-book. Strangely enough I remember every detail of that moment: the time of day, how the day-light fell into the room, how the book was lying on the table, my first glance at the cover (the original of that painting I've meanwhile 'visited' in the Vatican's museums in Rome). I also remember exactly my painful disappointment when I opened the book and scanned the pages: No, that was definitely not, what I had expected!
However by this (Thank goodness!) the attraction to Raphael was not diminished at all. So finally (via seminars with Raphael himself and other - more accessible - Raphael-books like 'Beyond the Illusion of the Ego') I found my way back to this Plato-book. As here the philosophy of Plato is also presented in comparison with/ in relation to Shankara's, it was helpful to know the doctrine of Shankara (as for example presented in the marvellous Shankara-book 'Vivekacudamani'; with comments by Raphael).

Concerning the content of the book: "However much may have read or even studied, very few indeed have actually MEDITATED deeply on Platonic Teaching without scholary preconceptions, grasping its essence and its profound ascetic and realizational content. ... Plato's is a philosophy of catharsis, ascent, realization, transformation of the way of feeling, of willing, of acting. Plato uses philosophy as a method for raising us above the conflict-ridden and contradictory world of the sensible to the harmonious world of Being, which is our original home." (p.12)

To my surprise, here I discovered 'pure Advaita' in original quotes by Plato:
"But the way out is denied to us above all because knowledge of Him cannot be obtained either by means of science or of thought, ... but only by means of a presence that is worth far more than science. ... Frankly, the teaching does not extend ... pointing out the way and the journey; but the vision is indeed wholly a personal doing of he who resolved to contemplate." (p. 36 f.) "Philosophers are those who are capable of attaining what is always unchangingly the same ... who always love a teaching capable of clarifying for them some aspect of that being which always is and cannot be touched by any kind of alteration caused by generation and corruption." (p. 67)
About the first part of the book (up to p. 77): the profound knowledge of the (Self realized) philosopher Raphael will probably be appreciated most by philosophers and those who are interested in Plato. The book proofs in a convincing and fascinating way the unity of Eastern and Western traditions, is however difficult to read and comprehend without a philosophical background.

For me the second part of the book (from p. 78 on) was much more easy to access: "Now we shall speak of ... 'return' ..., because Plato's is no vain show of mental or conceptual virtuosity, but a philosophy of AWAKENING to what we really are;" (p. 78)
Amongst others Raphael quotes and comments Plato's famous 'myth of the cave'. This (see p. 87 ff.) has accompanied me for days; while the image (directly; just by itself) had a strong impact on me. "in it, he [Plato] chose to summarize all his doctrine, from a metaphysical, epistemological and ethical point of view, as well as that of mystical ascent. This picture ... can stimulate our consciousness into absolute Reality." (p. 87)
The most I was touched by p. 104-115 concerning the 'Pathway of Love'. --Customer Review By DK

From the Publisher

--- PLATO is an exponent in the West of the ancient Tradition that goes back to Orpheus, and he is regarded as the father of Western Philosophy. -- While over the centuries the concept of philosophy has become an exercise of the empirical mind which can offer only opinions, not Truth, Plato's philosophy (love of learning-wisdom-knowledge) is of an initiatory order. -- It is a conversion to Being, an initiation into the supreme Good.

Edition details

• Publisher: Shepheard-Walwyn (Publishers) Ltd
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0856831794
• ISBN 13: 9780856831799
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144