The ageless wisdom

Author: Søren Hauge: www.sophiaundervisning.dk
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In every culture at all times and under all circumstances man has searched for a deeper meaning to life. For as long as we know, man has turned his eyes towards the sky in silent wonder. There has hardly been a time where we, from time to time, have not been astonished at the greatness and beauty of the Creation. An infinite number of ways leads to the same goal and an infinite number of humans lives under the same mysterious sky and in the same inconceivable universe. The universal search has given different answers, which relate to each other and to the beginning of life just like spectral colours relate to themselves and in relation to light. The great religions of the world, philosophical systems, artistic impulses and scientific discoveries can be compared to different dialects of the same inner language with which we try to formulate our relation with cosmos – with divinity. Every spiritual impulse is adapted to the ages, the evolution and possibilities of man. Thus the spiritual innovations and inspirations have raised the human consciousness as time and circumstances allowed for it.

Philosophia perennis

Divine wisdom has always existed just like divinity has always revealed itself to those who were willing to receive the wisdom. Aldous Huxley’s “The Perennial Philosophy” presents this thought, which also appears repeatedly in History. It flourishes and develops fully in the esoteric movements of our times (esoteric means “inner”, “underlying”). The essence of Huxley’s writing is the idea of a continuous flow of enlightenment, which has always existed in the so-called primitive tribes of the world, in the religious traditions and among the chosen souls, who have obtained direct knowledge through an ethical, pure life and contemplation. This spiritual wisdom is a metaphysics that acknowledges a divine reality behind all external phenomena. It refers to the idea that the human soul is part of the spiritual creative power and that many ways eventually lead to the same goal. In India this knowledge is called Brahma Vidya , and for the Greeks it was the desirable mystery knowledge. In the Middle East it was called “Gnosis”, and in the time of the birth of Christ it was also called “the hermetic wisdom” or “Theosophia”.

You may consider the historical evolution of mankind, in fact the evolution of the entire Earth, as a series of impulses, which have gradually affected, changed and raised the human consciousness. At an early stage of the human evolution these impulses were particularly of a mythical/religious nature. They were passed on from people who were able to express a profound knowledge of the origin and the deepest meaning of life and the position of man in the cosmic order. Later on, as the human consciousness changed, these religious illuminations became more philosophical and assumed other forms. However, from the earliest prehistoric periods and up till today it is possible to follow these illuminations and insights, as pearls on an unbroken and meaningful, sparkling thread.