God is not external to anyone, but is present with all things, though they are ignorant that He is so.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the omnipresence of God in all things, even when people are unaware of it.
Plotinus asserts the idea that divinity is not separate from the world or individuals but rather coexists with everything. The essence of God permeates all existence, yet many remain oblivious to this reality, highlighting a disconnect between human understanding and spiritual truth.
In practice
During a discussion on spirituality, one might use the quote to illustrate the concept of divine presence in everyday life.
Beauty addresses itself chiefly to sight, but there is a beauty for the hearing too, as in certain combinations so words and in all kinds of music; for melodies and cadences are beautiful; and minds that lift themselves above the realm of sense to a higher order are aware of beauty in the conduct of life, in actions, in character, in the pursuits of the intellect; and there is the beauty of the virtues.
Knowledge, if it does not determine action, is dead to us.
The stars are like letters that inscribe themselves at every moment in the sky. Everything in the world is full of signs. All events are coordinated. All things depend on each other. Everything breathes together.
I am striving to give back the Divine in myself to the Divine in the All.
All things are filled full of signs, and it is a wise man who can learn about one thing from another.
The Soul of each one of us is sent, that the universe may be complete.
Much faith will yield unto us here our heaven, but any faith, if true, will yield us heaven hereafter.
Our judgments judge us, and nothing reveals us, exposes our weaknesses, more ingeniously than the attitude of pronouncing upon our fellows.
Freedom and slavery are mental states.
Don't go outside your house to see flowers. My friend, don't bother with that excursion. Inside your body there are flowers. One flower has a thousand petals. That will do for a place to sit. Sitting there you will have a glimpse of beauty inside the body and out of it, before gardens and after gardens.
It may seem bizarre, but in my opinion science offers a surer path to God than religion.
In a sensibly organised society, if you improve productivity, there is room for everybody to benefit.
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