Who is familiar with Perennialism?

TheLightWithin

TheLightWithin

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I'm interested in the idea of perennialism, the idea roughly corresponding to the idea that all religions are from the same source.

A Definition of the Perennial Philosophy - Introduction

www.worldwisdom.com www.worldwisdom.com

A Definition of the Perennial Philosophy - Perennialism and Traditionalism

www.worldwisdom.com www.worldwisdom.com
thechristianmysteries.blogspot.com

Critique of Perennialism

Earlier I wrote about the “Perennialist” school or movement. Its manifesto could be said to be Frithjof Schuon’s The Transcendental Uni...
thechristianmysteries.blogspot.com thechristianmysteries.blogspot.com

I'm glad I had those saved.
When I look up perennialism now just as a keyword search, the main thing that comes up is educational perennialism, which has to do with the idea of their being timeless truths that need to be taught to every generation, probably connected to the idea of a classical education.
But I am interested in the theological perennialism and was wondering what others' thoughts were.
 
Paging @Thomas who is into Traditionalism, which overlaps in some important areas, I think.

I was fascinated by Perennialism at one point, but have since found a great deal of it reflected in modern evidence-based psychology. This is not to say that science has the keys to the timeless truths of consciousness - I think it doesn't - but rather that I believe many of the compelling key points of Perennialism are in fact features of our specific experience as human beings, rather than universal truths applicable, in principle, to any conscious life form in this universe.
 
Ever had those moments of understanding? And then our words you find lacking to express what you internally grock yet can't explain to others?

It is my notion that is all religions...someone, let's call them prophets...had a moment of enlightenment or call it divine guidance...and wrote it down or conveyed it to others to the best of their abilities...
 
Ahem ... excuse me ... did someone mention perennialism?

A lot more to say, but your third link 'Critique of Perennialism' is by the late Stratford Caldecott, who was a friend of mine and a lovely man.

Short answer: Cradle Catholic, wandered off in my 20-30s. Looking ... looking ... discovered a collection of essays by authors collectively known as 'Traditionalists' and was hooked ... read Schuon and Guénon, saw Martin Lings lecture twice ...

More details here
 
I didn't even know of the term, yet have definitely been open to it. After studying Native American religions and customs, I started to ponder this possibility. There are so many strange parallels and coincidences in so many world religions that I have often wondered if there was a starting influence to them all.
 
One of the first comparative religion books I read was The Religions of Man, by Huston Smith. Smith was greatly influenced by Perennial philosophy and the Traditionalist School, though perhaps he did not go so far as people like Evola. Later, when learning about the life of Aldous Huxley (whose novel "Brave New World" is a critique of modernity), I also got to become re-acquainted with this school of thought.

I like the idea of there being something beyond specific rituals in a time and place; there is an overarching Absolute Truth from which all religious expression emanates.

Perennialism itself is much older much older, and it also incorporates ideas from Neo-Platonism. It is also not too far off from the Islamic concept that every nation was sent a prophet to expound the Divine Reality.
 
I discovered Perennial philosophy a few years ago and have found the idea very attractive. I read and enjoyed 'Perennial Philosophy' by Arthur Versluis.
 
Kenny818 said:
One of the first comparative religion books I read was The Religions of Man, by Huston Smith. Smith was greatly influenced by Perennial philosophy and the Traditionalist School, though perhaps he did not go so far as people like Evola. Later, when learning about the life of Aldous Huxley (whose novel "Brave New World" is a critique of modernity), I also got to become re-acquainted with this school of thought.

I like the idea of there being something beyond specific rituals in a time and place; there is an overarching Absolute Truth from which all religious expression emanates.

Perennialism itself is much older much older, and it also incorporates ideas from Neo-Platonism. It is also not too far off from the Islamic concept that every nation was sent a prophet to expound the Divine Reality.
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That book sounds great. I went to look it up, and couldn't find that title but found The World's Religions, Revised and Updated by Huston Smith and it turns out I already have that on Kindle! I will need to put that at the top of my list!
 
You would perhaps like theosophy? Its a synthesys of religion, philosophy and science. I study theosophy several times a week and find it very interesting. On saturday there is a lecture, two of my dear friends are talking. It's free to join even though one have to register in advance on zoom.

us02web.zoom.us

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Spring Lecture Series: The Spiritual Path. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Spring Lecture Series: The Spiritual Path. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
us02web.zoom.us us02web.zoom.us

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_Hermes_ said:
You would perhaps like theosophy? Its a synthesys of religion, philosophy and science. I study theosophy several times a week and find it very interesting. On saturday there is a lecture, two of my dear friends are talking. It's free to join even though one have to register in advance on zoom.


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I've heard of Theosophy, and Madame Blavatsky, I find it interesting but only have a passing knowledge of it.
How does one find and register for this lecture? I see the image you posted but if you also tried to enclose a link it didn't come through.
 
_Hermes_ said:
Nice, see you there. :)
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Thanks, I hope so.
I might need to log on from a computer that doesn't have camera or microphone.
This will be fine as long as it's straight lecture and not interactive.
If it's supposed to be interactive, maybe I can use another computer or just communicate via chat feature.
Hopefully it's lecture, what I really want to do is listen to the interesting material!
 
I would be remiss not to mention at this point that the Traditionalists had a very dim view of the Theosophical movement.

René Guénon, the first of the Traditionalist writers, who had first-hand knowledge of the burgeoning interest in 'the esoteric' in France, was particularly excoriating in his critique, claiming the Theosophical Movement (as opposed to theosophy per se) had assumed the mantle of a 'pseudo-religion'.
 
Thomas said:
I would be remiss not to mention at this point that the Traditionalists had a very dim view of the Theosophical movement.

René Guénon, the first of the Traditionalist writers, who had first-hand knowledge of the burgeoning interest in 'the esoteric' in France, was particularly excoriating in his critique, claiming the Theosophical Movement (as opposed to theosophy per se) had assumed the mantle of a 'pseudo-religion'.
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Depends on what kind of theosophical teachings you look at. The ones of Alice Bailey and Leadbeater might be more New age streams in than the teachings of Blavatsky. Personally I like both views and see no meaning in separation of the two. It is more individual interpretations of the same teachings than anything else even though there are people in the movement that are very dogmatic about this.
 
Thomas said:
René Guénon, the first of the Traditionalist writers, who had first-hand knowledge of the burgeoning interest in 'the esoteric' in France, was particularly excoriating in his critique, claiming the Theosophical Movement (as opposed to theosophy per se) had assumed the mantle of a 'pseudo-religion'
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And not just Rene Guernon. A few years back, on a certain rival forum, any mention of Theosophy would get their Buddhists going for your throat. Online Buddhists can be much more vicious than their real-life counterparts.
 
Well the Traditionalists of every ilk, I think, tyend to be of the same opinion.

From a Christian viewpoint, the Theosophists idea of 'esoteric Christianity' as a secret and distinct teaching of which they are the custodians is offensive and, as someone who has some acquaintance with Christian esoterism – something else entirely – Theosophy's lack of insight speaks volumes.

From the viewpoint of the Perennialist / Traditionalist, HPB's failure to grasp the true inner meaning of the doctrines she got hold of, both Hindu and Buddhist, was enough to dismiss the movement as an authentic voice or informed commentary on the Sophia Perennis.

Guénon, as ever, was somewhat caustic in his comments. Marco Pallis, Tibetan Buddhist, was more generous, regarding their ideas as naive, although no less pernicious.
 
Thomas said:
Well the Traditionalists of every ilk, I think, tyend to be of the same opinion.

From a Christian viewpoint, the Theosophists idea of 'esoteric Christianity' as a secret and distinct teaching of which they are the custodians is offensive and, as someone who has some acquaintance with Christian esoterism – something else entirely – Theosophy's lack of insight speaks volumes.

From the viewpoint of the Perennialist / Traditionalist, HPB's failure to grasp the true inner meaning of the doctrines she got hold of, both Hindu and Buddhist, was enough to dismiss the movement as an authentic voice or informed commentary on the Sophia Perennis.

Guénon, as ever, was somewhat caustic in his comments. Marco Pallis, Tibetan Buddhist, was more generous, regarding their ideas as naive, although no less pernicious.
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This comment only makes my theosophical side more curious about what you know about esoteric christianity that I don't.

Since the esoteric christianity of the theosophical society is a bit lacking (if one wants to serve the whole of humanity), I have dwelled into antroposophy as well looking for more profound esoteric christianity. What do you make of Rudolf Steiner?
 
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