PERENNIAL WISDOM
At first glace, the great religions of the world appear to be strikingly incompatible. Conventional wisdom and common sense support this, and on the surface this assessment is entirely true. Differences abound: their respective mythologies, doctrines, rituals, worship, and cultural conventions are distinctly incongruous, and I would be hard pressed to argue otherwise. It should not be surprising the majority of people interface with religion at this level, which explains the rather discordant conventional wisdom.
Probing a bit deeper into the metaphysics and theology of the world's faith traditions presents distinct images of reality and God, each informing the particular way they deal with human-divine relationship and the human condition. The differences continue to be substantive at this level, yet it becomes clear that each of the somewhat different responses are to the same, difficult questions we face as conscious and complex social creatures. It introduces the notion of context, that what is appropriate is deeply rooted in culture, history, and pragmatism. In other words, on some level it hold a certain truth inasmuch as it works within the particular context.
For those who are willing to probe to inner wisdom tradition of any of the great religions, it is fascinating to discover the particularity of the previous levels almost entirely evaporates. The spirituality of inner transformation, realization of the true inner self, and enlightenment or union with God is virtually universal - thus the term Perennial Wisdom (sophia perennis.) Whether it's Christian Mysticism, Sufi Islam, Kabbalah Judaism, Zen Buddhism, or Hindu Yoga, the wisdom paths are strikingly similar.
How shall I regard this, when we are so different on one level and so similar on another? I shall regard the great world religions like a stained-glass window, each a distinct pane reflecting the particular cultural and historical context of its adherents. Just as each pane has its own shape and color, each religion is formulated on the surface to best meet the psychological, intellectual, and social needs of their communities.
On the other hand, it must be understood the panes are not the source of their light, but merely filters. These filters may produce vastly different effects, but the source that illuminates them is universal. It is the One True Light, and the cohesion drawing all the mystics together. For those willing to tunnel through the glass, through the filter of their particular faith tradition, the great revelation is that the experience of union, of enlightenment, is equally universal and attainable no matter the starting point. That is good news. That is The Good News, and those of us in the West - after centuries of arguments and wars over ideas - are finally on the cusp of embracing a true, deep, and much-needed conversion.