Plotinus...

It is reasonable, necessary even, to begin with the Soul of the All.

Notice that if we are to explain and to be clear, we are obliged to use such words as ‘entry’ and ‘ensoulment’,

though never was this All unensouled, never did body subsist with soul away, never was there Matter unelaborate;

we separate, the better to understand;

there is nothing illegitimate in the verbal and mental sundering of things which must in fact be co-existent.



-- Enneads, IV.3.9
Plotinus