Noetic

Noetic, from the Greek ???? (nous) is usually translated as "mind", "understanding", "intellect", or "reason". Most dictionaries define the term noetic as a synonym of "mental" or "intellectual." However, in recent decades, the term has taken on new usages among New Age authors and teachers. The Institute of Noetic Sciences defines noetic as, roughly, 'relating to consciousness or intuition'.

Related Topics:
Greek - New Age - Institute of Noetic Sciences - Consciousness - Intuition

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The ancient Pythagoreans and Platonists used the term to mean "the cosmic soul". According to Neo-Platonic cosmology, the nous emanates from the One.

Related Topics:
Pythagoreans - Platonists - Neo-Platonic - Cosmology - Emanates - One

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Anaxagoras wrote:

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All other things partake in a portion of everything, while Nous is infinite and self-ruled, and is mixed with nothing, but is alone, itself by itself. For if it were not by itself, but were mixed with anything else, it would partake in all things if it were mixed with any; for in everything there is a portion of everything, as has been said by me in what goes before, and the things mixed with it would hinder it, so that it would have power over nothing in the same way that it has now being alone by itself. For it is the thinnest of all things and the purest, and it has all knowledge about everything and the greatest strength; and Nous has power over all things, both greater and smaller, that have soul. (Translation by J. Burnet)

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From the nous emerges the world soul, which gives rise to the manifest realm. These mystical, cosmic and holistic connotations are why the New Age movement has embraced the term noetic and used it to refer to the exploration of individual or cosmic consciousness.

Related Topics:
World soul - Manifest - Mystical - Holistic

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