What did moral purification mean in Plotinus’s philosophy?

In the philosophy of Plotinus, moral purification is an essential component of the philosophical life, serving as a necessary discipline for the human soul to ascend and return to its source, the One, or the Good.1

For Plotinus, this process is not merely an abstract intellectual exercise but a transformative way of life. It involves a "tremendous intellectual and moral effort" to turn away from the concerns, desires, and experiences of the lower, bodily nature. By dominating and rising above these physical impulses, the individual "wakes" to a higher level of awareness.1

Key aspects of this purification include:

• Ascent: It is the means by which those capable of the journey can transcend sense perception and discursive reasoning to grasp eternal realities.1
• Integration: It is combined with intellectual enlightenment; together, they constitute the only path to achieving mystical union with the Good.1
• Embodiment: Plotinus maintained that this purification is possible while still living in an earthly body and does not require neglecting one's duties in the physical world.1

Ultimately, this purification allows the soul to move beyond the limitations of the material world and realize its true nature as Intellect.1