This first enquiry obliges us to consider at the outset the nature of the Soul - that is whether a distinction is to be made between Soul and ESSENTIAL SOUL (between an individual Soul and the Soul-Kind in itself). (NA: All matter shown in brackets is added by the translator for clearness’ sake and, therefore, is not canonical. S.M.) Ennead I,1,2
But if Soul (in man) and ESSENTIAL SOUL are one and the same, then the Soul will be an Ideal-Form unreceptive of all those activities which it imparts to another Kind but possessing within itself that native Act of its own which Reason manifests. Ennead I,1,2