Coming from a materialistic background, I have grown interested in the mystical layers of religion, such as Orthodox monasticism and Islamic sufism and the thoughts of the likes of Evola and Guenon in particular.
Not having a deep understanding of philosophy, I'd like to get an explanation in layman terms on what exactly are the implications of the view that several religious traditions and initiatory paths deriving and being valid in the light of a primal Tradition from a metaphysical(not historical!) perspective.
What attracts me to mysticism is that I can compensate with my heart where my mind does not allow, but if one adopts the perennialist view, to me it seems that it is has no depth. How can you partake in the Holy Christian Mysteries while at the same time viewing just as valid other mystical paths?
In my (lack of) understanding, it seems at best to be nothing more than glorified aestheticism and at worst LARPism.
>>1305428
I have a suspicion about mysticism. That it only works when it does not violate the laws of physics. Which means mostly never.
>>1305428
>nothing more than glorified aestheticism and at worst LARPism.
/thread
>>1305451
Is there no escape from this feeling of futility? I'd prefer to be an exoteric blind believer over being a nihilist craving for the absolute.
Only way to really understand mysticism is through mystical practice (and lots of reading if you can be bothered). Meditate using methods from different traditions, you'll find similar results. Look into pantheism as well. In terms of reading, it's Plotinus, the Bible, the Corpus Hermeticum, the Tao Te Ching and a big helping of Kabbalah for you.
Read A History of God by Armstrong, it will introduce you to the many mystical currents, including those within Orthodoxy and Sufism
>>1305428
All the paths reflect this Truth in their own culturally conditioned way.
Mysticism, initiatic metaphysics, esoteric religion, all pretty much agree there is some transcendent, unconditioned principle the universe has emanated from. This view can include other gods, a personal theistic God, whatever you want, as all are manifestations of the Ultimate.
Meditate. Detach yourself from your body and emotions. Find a center within yourself that remains calm and collected in the face of external adversity. Mysticism is a science of the inner life. Do not worship God but the Ground of your own Being, the inalienable fact of your existing. Even then worship is too strong a word.
Your consciousness must always transcend it's conditioning, not resist or reject it. the distinction is an important one.
Without practice the path is a waste of time.
