Nonetheless the fundamental presupposition of the guarding of the nous is the laying aside of all worldly cares which cloud and drown the nous. “When the nous is liberated from everything perceptible and rises from the flood created by the fuss over these things and sees clearly the inner man, firstly sees the “hideous mask” which is caused by its wandering, it then hastens to cleanse it with mourning. After taking off the ugly cloak,