The Perennial Philosophy—A Golden Thread of Awakening

May 25
2011

By Guest Bloggers, Lee and Steven Hager

http://www.thebeginningoffearlessness.com/blog

In our world, nothing stays the same for very long. We’re taught to rely on the advice of experts, but their opinions seem to change with the breeze. If you knew that something had remained unchanged for over two thousand years and had continued to help people find the peace and joy they were seeking for that entire time, would you be curious?

The perennial philosophy is a golden thread of spiritual thought that can be found in virtually all cultures and time periods. It’s a group of harmonious spiritual concepts that are free of dogma and ritual. It’s been a part of so-called “primitive” and pagan belief systems as well as the mystical branches of nearly every organized religion.

The concept of an “eternal philosophy” that incorporates universal spiritual truths and exists free of human influence has intrigued philosophers for hundreds of years.  In the West, it’s been thought of as a “philosophy of harmony” or a “universal religion” that remains untainted by sectarian views. In the East, it’s been thought of as Sanatana Dharma (eternal law) or Manava Dharma (religion of man). In 1945 Aldous Huxley wrote the aptly titled Perennial Philosophy, which outlines the universal truths that have continued to crop up in spiritual thought worldwide.

The perennial philosophy is not a formula for enlightenment, but its simple concepts have encouraged countless seekers to reach spiritual mastery. Although the perennial philosophy has far more to offer, here are four of its most basic and helpful concepts:

  • There is a Divine Ground that permeates the universe. The world we think we see is a temporary projection that originates from that Divine Ground
  • A change in consciousness is required to become aware of, and experience, the Divine Ground.
  • Everyone has the ability to experience the Divine.
  • Experiencing the Divine is life’s highest purpose.

Simply put: Life-giving intelligence permeates everything in existence. This intelligence wants to be known and can be known.

Most of us have been taught that spiritual mastery is a nearly impossible goal, but the perennial philosophy does not agree. No secrets, methods, formulas or spiritual practices are involved, and none are necessary to experience the Divine.  Knowing the Divine does require a shift in our awareness, but everyone is capable of making that shift. How do we shift our awareness? Huxley pointed out that successful spiritual seekers have all shared a mindset that includes these features:

  • “Pure in heart.”  This does not mean we need to “clean up our act.” It refers to our motives. A pure heart is looking for a connection with the Divine for the sheer joy of that connection.  A pure heart isn’t asking for material blessings.
  • “Poor in spirit.” This has nothing to do with poverty. It means that we understand that the world can make us rich, but it can never enrich us. We’re poor in spirit when we understand that our life will be empty until we have a direct connection with the Divine.
  • “Empty hands.” Seekers with empty hands are willing to let go of all mental conditioning, preconceived notions and the desire for a particular outcome. They are willing to be instructed by the Divine instead of trying to fit the Divine into their own belief system.

These qualities are free and available to everyone, no matter what our circumstances might be. Most of us have been taught that we can learn about God by taking in information, but there is no need for us to be satisfied with that.

Spiritual masters have never been interested in learning “about” the Divine; instead, they expect to “know” the Divine through personal experience. You don’t have to become a spiritual master before you can experience the Divine, in fact, it works the opposite way. As you open yourself to the experience, you grow spiritually. The perennial philosophy tells us this is not only possible, it’s our highest purpose.  Best of all, experiencing the Divine is the beginning of a life of fearlessness that you can enjoy.

Know by your own direct experience that the Divine within you is the Divine in all—Shankara ______________________________________________________________________________

Lee and Steven Hager are the authors of The Beginning of Fearlessness: Quantum Prodigal Son, a spiritual quest and scientific adventure based on Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, quantum physics and the gnostic gospels. Their blog http://www.thebeginningoffearlessness.com/blog features articles on oneness, spiritual awakening, quantum physics, the gnostic gospels and the direct, personal experience of the Divine.

 

Tools for Transformation – ROPES COURSES

May 22
2011

Two Perspectives on Ropes Courses as a Tool for Transformation

Dr. Amit Nagpal, New Delhi, India, and

Dr. Janet Smith Warfield, Florida, USA

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Dr. Amit Nagpal’s Perspective

.
Amit NagpalIf life itself is a rope walk, then what can be better to learn living than climbing ropes? Don’t we need the same gentle balancing act, the same courage, the same attitude to emerge as a winner in life, which we need for ropes courses?

Since my zodiac sign is Libra, balance has been a gift of the Universe. Since childhood, I had a natural flair for balance-balance in relationships, balance between work and (personal) life and so on. Balancing is an act which continues throughout the life or should I say balancing is something we do every moment.

A crucial skill for successful ropewalking is a sense of focus and an independent judgment. After all they say, obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off your goals. Ropewalk has a goal but life needs a purpose and the purpose driven (or passion driven) will reach the goal sooner or later, and enjoy the journey for sure. So many times people will give you advice, which is coloured, either by their fear or their personal interest. But a successful ropewalker or lifewalker continues in a state of equanimity with his/her independent sense of judgment, neither overwhelmed by the cheer nor the fear (fears of others).

I have fallen off balance from the rope of life at times, but with a firm conviction that I gave my best and the belief that I strived for a balance even under that extreme condition or provocation. If I have come out of an experience with baggage, I have learned to observe myself and work sincerely to shed it. Even when my body refused to grow tall on its own, I have hung myself for hours on an iron rope, which I got hung on the ceiling.Life may be a rope, but I see hope. This is my mantra for happiness-give your best, leave the rest…to the Universe (OMG, this requires a balance of action and trust too).

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Dr Amit Nagpal is a Personal Branding Consultant and Deepest Passion Coach. He is based in New Delhi, India and specializes in personal branding with a holistic touch. His philosophy is, “Enlarge as a Human Being, Excel as a Social Media Being and Evolve as a Personal Brand.” To learn more, visit www.dramitnagpal.com.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

.
Dr. Janet Smith Warfield’s Perspective

Dr. Janet Smith Warfield.
As I pulled myself up the 20-foot-high pole, one metal support after another, a part of me was thinking, “Janet, You’ve got to be crazy! What do you think you are doing, jeopardizing your life climbing this pole and placing your trust in those people down below you don’t even know!”

Then, I remembered. My intention was to release my anger toward the father of my children who had abandoned both me and our children to spend his life with a woman I once thought was my best friend.

My helmet and harness were securely in place. My belay team were holding firmly to the ropes that would gently guide me back to earth if I lost my balance and fell. I was determined to do this.Climbing the pole was easy until my hand reached the last metal support near the top of the pole. Then I had to, some how, some way, get my feet up on top of the pole and stand up – without anything to support me.

As I struggled to pull myself upright, I swung sideways off the pole.

The ropes, held by my belay team and attached to my harness, stopped what would otherwise have been a disastrous fall. I could trust. Gently, my belay team lowered me down. Now I was more determined than ever to climb to the top.

Metal support after metal support, I climbed back up to the place where the supports ended. Somehow, I managed to get one foot up on top of the pole, then the other. Slowly, acutely aware of my balance, I stood upright. My belay team cheered loudly. Now I knew I could do it.

For a moment, I stood tall, focusing with laser-like intention on what I had come to do: forgive the father of my children for deserting us. Then, I leaped into space, struck the celebration bell with my hand, and, with the support of my belay team, glided swiftly back to the ground.

I’d done it! Not only had I jumped from the top of a twenty-foot high pole. I had also let go of my judgment and blame. The transformation was huge and immediate. In the instant when I jumped, I became free to move on with the rest of my life.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Janet Smith Warfield serves wisdom-seekers who want understanding and clarity so they can live peaceful, powerful, prosperous lives. Through her unique combination of holistic, creative, right-brain transformational experiences and 22 years of rigorous, left-brain law practice, she has learned how to sculpt words in atypical ways to shift her listeners into experiences beyond words, transforming turmoil into inner peace. To learn more, go to wordsculptures.com, janetsmithwarfield.com, and wordsculpturespublishing.com.