Philosophies, theologies...

>Plato must be the sole originator of all Gnostic ideas or they are simply false
Wrong on both counts.

>implying plotinus understands gnosticism

It's possible to do Vipassanā without going full ego-death, just like it's possibly to go to catholic confession while using condoms.

If you have the confidence to reject their NU-y bits then go do some buddhist crap op.

Start with metaphysics before trying to interact with anything related to God and/or the will of God.

I started directly with Schopenhauer and it was one hell of a ride.

The world as will, lads.
The world as will.

Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe.

Speaking as a former Christian, Buddhism is the one thing that helped me feel strong emotions and enjoy life again. I don't know how you developed this aversion to it but it's improved my life tremendously.

I mean buddhism is all about "life is suffering and you must let yourself ignore everything in it to avoid suffering". I'm happy that you've taken what you've taken from it, and I think you've got it better than they do, but your teachers almost certainly believed in dampening their own emotional responses and trying to induce ego death in committed students.

>feeling
none
>being
uhh

This.

Also,

"Meme Answer" by Mike McMemeson

It's not about ignoring everything and avoiding suffering. Buddhists recognize suffering as an unavoidable part of life, but realize that through living a particular way it can be mitigated and more easily managed. It's largely a means of not getting lost in the world of human abstractions, mistaking our symbols, memories, and predictions for what's real and essential.