The Mystic’s Perspective
The Perennial philosophy is a concept in the realm of religious philosophy that sees all of the world’s religious traditions as sharing a common, universal truth from which all religious knowledge and beliefs have stemmed.
The mystical viewpoint asserts that there is only one consciousness, one mind, one field of truth that serves as the source of the entire universe. This field is not a tangible entity; rather, it is a formless, boundless, undivided consciousness. This perspective is upheld by mystics who have directly experienced this all-encompassing Oneness.
Aldous Huxley outlines the fundamental tenets of the perennial philosophy that can be found in various mystical branches of world religions:
1. The existence of a Godhead or Ground, which is the unmanifested principle of all manifestation.
2. The transcendent and immanent nature of the Ground.
3. The possibility for human beings to love, know, and ultimately become one with the Ground.
4. The ultimate goal of human existence being the realization of this unitive knowledge and supreme identity.
5. The presence of a Law or Dharma, a Tao or Way, that must be followed for individuals to achieve their ultimate purpose.
Known by different names in different cultures, such as Satchitananda in Hinduism, Buddha nature in Buddhism, and Christ Consciousness in Christianity, this fundamental ground of being is recognized by meditation masters and mystics across spiritual traditions as the Perennial Philosophy.
Contrary to the modern scientific view that the universe is comprised of matter, energy, time, and space, the perennial philosophy posits that the universe is actually composed of consciousness, which is formless at its core and manifests in diverse forms as a unified whole.
Experiencing The Mystic’s Perspective
To tap into this ever-present source, one must transcend thoughts as words create barriers between individuals and the truth. The mystic’s view encourages a state of natural wholeness without the division and separation imposed by words and labels. It involves a direct experience of one’s true self as a complete, loving, sane, and joyful being. This source consciousness is the observer, not the observed. It allows for a perception without filters or hindrances, though it may be challenging to grasp as it is not an object in consciousness but consciousness itself.
The initial conceptual understanding of this viewpoint serves as a guide to what is achievable, but spiritual seekers are urged to move beyond mere concepts and strive for direct experience through meditation. This direct experience reveals a natural state of joy, love, and wisdom, offering a way of seeing from an undivided consciousness. It is more of a way of being than a mere perspective, enabling individuals to remain centered in a state of wholeness and unwavering ease amidst the constant flux of thoughts, emotions, and external stimuli.
Meditating On The Mystic View
The concept of oneness at the core of our being is crucial even in the early stages of mindfulness practice, as it instills the confidence to surrender to the present moment without fixating on improvement or fear. Mindfulness aids in uncovering the mind’s inherent peace and stillness by disengaging from thoughts of past, present, and future, facilitating a calm and clear state of mind.
As the ground of being is already present within us, there is no linear path to attain it; any effort aimed at a future attainment is subtly misguided, as individuals are already inseparable from it. It is the ignorance of this fact that veils the truth, and it is the realization of one’s source that reunites what was never truly divided.
The mystic perspective of the Universal Source as a non-objective field of consciousness is gaining traction in contemporary scientific research, particularly in unified field theory and the philosophy of panpsychism. This ancient perennial philosophy, which scientists are beginning to explore, could potentially serve as a unifying principle for humanity, bridging various religious traditions in a new era of spiritual and scientific collaboration.
Regardless of the name attributed to the source – whether Universal Consciousness, Unified Field, God, Non-dual Awareness, or Great Spirit – meditation offers a pathway to accessing and integrating this level of being into our lives.