Notes on Aldous Huxley's The Perennial Philosophy Lecture

Introduction to the Lecture

• Good evening and welcome to the first part of the lecture series on Aldous Huxley's "The Perennial Philosophy."
• The session will cover the introduction of the book, a Wikipedia page, and an essay from a neoplatonic perspective.
• The aim is to explore the spiritual beliefs of various religious traditions and their commonalities.

Overview of "The Perennial Philosophy"

• Huxley asserts that the perennial philosophy can be found in the traditional laws of peoples worldwide.
• It is present in higher religions and draws from various faiths:
  • Zen Buddhism
  • Hinduism
  • Taoism
  • Christian mysticism
  • Islam
• The book presents selections from notable figures, including:
  • Meister Eckhart
  • Rumi
  • Lao Tzu
  • The Bhagavad-Gita
  • The Tibetan Book of the Dead
  • The Diamond Sutra
  • The Upanishads
• There are 27 chapters planned for the series.

Structure of the Lecture

• The evening will consist of reading:
  1. The introduction to "The Perennial Philosophy."
  2. The Wikipedia page on perennial philosophy (not about the book).
  3. An essay from a neoplatonic perspective.
• Encouragement to like, subscribe, and engage through comments and support.

Key Concepts from the Introduction of Huxley’s Book

• Definition of Perennial Philosophy:
  • Coined by Leibniz, it recognizes a divine reality that is substantial to the world.
  • It encompasses a psychology and an ethic that leads to knowledge of this divine reality.
• The philosophy is ancient and universal, with roots found among primitive peoples and in higher religions.
• The anthology comprises selections chosen for their significance and beauty.

Knowledge and Growth

• Knowledge is conditioned by the being of the individual.
• Growth and education transform a child's being into that of an adult, leading to a change in knowledge and ways of knowing.
• Example: A scientist can enhance their knowledge through tools like telescopes, which alter perception and understanding.

Conditions for Spiritual Knowledge

• Immediate knowledge of divine reality is attainable by those who fulfill certain conditions:
  • Must be loving, pure in heart, and humble.
• Huxley emphasizes the importance of first-hand accounts from saints and sages rather than professional philosophers.

The Role of Scripture

• In India, scriptures are categorized into two classes:
  • Shruti: Inspired writings, recognized for their authority.
  • Smriti: Texts derived from Shruti, offering commentary and lesser authority.
• Huxley uses less familiar sources to illustrate the doctrines of perennial philosophy.

Empirical Theology and Its Limitations

• Empirical theology often focuses on unregenerate experiences, leading to limited understanding of ultimate reality.
• Knowledge of divine reality requires conditions that elevate the mind beyond average sensual life.

Summary of the Philosophy's Development

• Perennial philosophy integrates ideas from various traditions and historical thinkers, such as:
  • Neoplatonism: Focused on the single principle of the One.
  • Renaissance Thinkers: Such as Marcilio Ficino and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola.
• Huxley popularized the perennial philosophy, suggesting it is found across all major spiritual traditions.

Conclusion of the Lecture

• Encouragement to explore the Wikipedia article and a neoplatonic essay that further develops these themes.
• Reminder that the next session will discuss the first chapter, "That Art Thou."
• Engage with discussions and inquiries before the next session.

Final Thoughts

• Huxley’s exploration emphasizes the unity of religious experiences despite cultural differences.
• The series aims to offer insights into the perennial wisdom shared across traditions.