Iamblichus of Chalcis: Fourth century hierophant and philosopher, he is largely responsible for asserting again the primacy of ritual and symbol in the philosophical quest for union with the One. He is best known in this regard for his work on theurgy, or the divine work.
Recommended works:
Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus by Gregory Shaw
Iamblichus’ Life of Pythagoras
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Marsilio Ficino: Fifteenth century philosopher, physician, priest, astrologer, magus, and translator of Plato and other ancient texts from Greek into Latin. He cured people by singing the Orphic Hymns with his lyre and read Plato from the pulpit of the church. He was a great reconciler of opposites and profoundly interested in bringing all forms of knowledge back to their ancient, primeval roots.
Recommended works:
Commentary on Plato’s Symposium on Love
Gardens of Philosophy: Ficino on Plato
Marsilio Ficino (Western Esoteric Masters Series)
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Pierre Hadot: Contemporary philosopher who has been key in restoring the idea of philosophy as a way of life and not just mathematics with words. He has done groundbreaking work in reintroducing Plotinus to modern discourse, and of interpreting the great lights of human knowledge from Marcus Aurelius to Ludwig Wittgenstein. He is one of the few bright luminaries in the dark firmament of modern scholarship.
Recommended works:
Philosophy as a Way of Life: Spiritual Exercises from Socrates to Foucault
Must check out Hadot. I am an admirer of both Aurelius and Wittgenstein.
Thank you for your website.
I was looking something like that.
I love Catholicism. I love traditional Christian aesthetics. However I cannot bring myself in accord with modern Catholic or Orthodox theology. As you have noted keenly, it is not what it was during the glorious times of Raphael or Michelangelo. I think to concentrate solely on the Hebrew origins of Jesus is impoverishing and self-limiting, despite the great richness and greatness of Hebrew tradition. I think there was more to that. We need to dig more into Hellenic Jesus, Mithraic tradition, which is what you do, at least if one looks at you links.