Daily Devotional: September 24th
Feast for the Divine Iamblichus
Feast for the Divine Iamblichus
In memory of the Divine Iamblichus (245-325AD): Guardian of the Mysteries
In remembrance of Iamblichus, the Divine philosopher, we honor his profound contributions to Neoplatonism and the development of late ancient philosophy. A master of metaphysical thought and theurgy, Iamblichus sought to harmonize Plato’s wisdom with the divine mysteries, bridging the gap between the human and the transcendent. His teachings on the ascent of the soul, the hierarchy of divine beings, and the importance of ritual in spiritual growth profoundly shaped the intellectual currents of his time and beyond. Today, we remember him not only as a philosopher but as a mystic whose legacy continues to inspire the pursuit of wisdom and the divine.
Prayer for the Divine Iamblichus
O Divine Iamblichus, philosopher sublime,
In the esoteric realms, your teachings climb.
Mystic and sage, in the cosmic dance,
Guide us through the veils, offer us a chance.
Iamblichus, interpreter of divine rites,
In the sacred mysteries, your wisdom ignites.
As the soul ascends through symbolic art,
May your guidance illuminate every heart.
In the numinous realms where gods reside,
Iamblichus, in your wisdom we confide.
Through theurgy and rituals, the sacred keys,
May we unlock the doors to the mysteries.
O mystic philosopher, in the astral sea,
Guide us through the spheres, set our spirits free.
In the divine procession, where truths unfold,
May your teachings be a beacon of gold.
Iamblichus, whose influence transcends,
In the divine dance, where the soul commends.
Guide us through theurgy's sacred flow,
In the divine currents, may our spirits grow.
As we journey through the cosmic spheres,
Iamblichus, in your wisdom, calm our fears.
In the presence of the divine, may we stand,
With your guidance, hand in hand.
Daily Prayer VIII
Oh gods, restrain my taste for excess delight,
Impose limits on pleasures, in wisdom's light.
Lest harm befall my body or soul,
Guide me towards temperance, make me whole.
May I not crave boundless material gain,
In measured abundance, let my needs attain.
Moderation in all, the body's requisite,
Grant me independence, a balanced fit.
Shield me from the chains of empty words,
Grant discernment, where true wisdom girds.
May I deem useful only words divine,
That lead to genuine excellence, a path benign.
Daily Meditation
"Prayer establishes links of friendship between us and the Gods, and secures for us the triple advantage which we gain from the Gods through theurgy (divine work), the first leading to illumination, the second to the common achievement of projects, and the third to the perfect fulfillment of the soul through fire.”
—Iamblichus
On the Mysteries, V.26
Prayer unites us to the Gods. Through it we can gain the lights of divine illumination, the completion of divine works and purification of the soul through the divine fire.
Monthly Ascesis
Developing a practice of watchfulness is a powerful and effective way to create stillness in our souls, allowing us to behold God's presence in our lives.
This month, add this meditation practice to your morning prayers. This is particularly effective following a chanting session.
“The most basic and fundamental meditation practice is watchfulness or Nepsis in Greek. Watchfulness is the act of observing the mind while not chasing any thoughts or emotions that arise. You only need to sit down, close your eyes, and relax to do this practice. Then, watch your thoughts as they arise and fall away. Thoughts will continue to pop into your mind, and that’s ok. The key is not to follow them. For example, if your mind starts thinking about a project at work, don’t follow that idea and start working on the project in your mind. Just acknowledge that thought and watch it. Don’t feed that idea with more ideas; just leave it alone. Eventually, it will pass by, or a new thought will take its place. If that happens, just watch that thought without following it or allowing it to disturb you.”
-Excerpt from our new book, Ascesis: the Handbook of Platonic Practice
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