perennial philosophy
Universal spiritual core
Perennial philosophy is the idea that all major world religions and spiritual traditions share a common core of truth—that beneath surface differences in doctrine and practice lies a single, universal wisdom about the nature of reality and human existence.
The term gained currency through Aldous Huxley's 1945 book of that title: The perennial philosophy suggests mystics from different traditions are describing the same ultimate reality.
Affecting all equally
- immutableIncapable of being changed
- unchangingNot varying at all
- timelessUnaffected by eras
- agelessWithout apparent deterioration
enduring · primordial · ancient wisdom · sacred tradition · golden thread · foundational · essential · invariant
Experiential sacred understanding
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- illuminationProvision of light
moksha · non-duality · inner light · contemplation · ecstasy · samadhi · fana · union
Movement toward religious unity
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- interreligiousAcross different faiths
- syncretismFusion of different beliefs
inclusivism · multifaith · intercultural · universalism · cooperation · coexistence · interdenominational · common ground
Philosophy emphasizing ideal Forms
- monismSingle-substance metaphysics
- idealismBelief in noble principles
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- archetypeOriginal model for copies
essence · absolutes · universals · cosmology · a priori · innate · nous · logos
State of being unified
- interconnectionMutual joining of parts
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- integrationCombining into a whole
- wholenessComplete, undivided state
universal
Affecting all equally
- immutableIncapable of being changed
- unchangingNot varying at all
- timelessUnaffected by eras
ageless · enduring · primordial · ancient wisdom · sacred tradition · golden thread · foundational · essential · invariant · constant
gnosis
Experiential sacred understanding
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
illumination · moksha · non-duality · inner light · contemplation · ecstasy · samadhi · fana · union · vision
ecumenism
Movement toward religious unity
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- interreligiousAcross different faiths
syncretism · inclusivism · multifaith · intercultural · universalism · cooperation · coexistence · interdenominational · common ground · bridge-building
Platonism
Philosophy emphasizing ideal Forms
- monismSingle-substance metaphysics
- idealismBelief in noble principles
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
archetype · essence · absolutes · universals · cosmology · a priori · innate · nous · logos · emanation
oneness
State of being unified
- interconnectionMutual joining of parts
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- integrationCombining into a whole
wholeness · nondual · convergence · synthesis · single source
- mysticismmystic, gnosis, divine union, divine spark, mystical
- traditionstradition, custom, customs, cultural practices, rituals
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- enlightenmentVoltaire, Rousseau, Locke, Kant, Montesquieu
- Indian PhilosophyVedanta, Advaita, Upanishads, karma yoga, Vedas
- occultismesotericism, black magic, hermeticism, necromancy, Kabbalah
perennial philosophyparticularism
Prioritizing specific group interests
denominationalism · dogmatism · fundamentalism · parochialism · sectarianism
perennial philosophyhistoricism
Era determines truth claims
cultural relativism · postmodernism · contextualism · contingency · religious pluralism
perennial philosophyreligious pluralism
Multiple faiths holding validity
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