A Problem With My Religion - (in defense of Perennialism) [Esoteric Saturdays]

[@FoolishFishBooks]

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[@NotNecessarily-ip4vc]

The Manual of Discipline, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, says that God created two great spirits, one of truth and one of perversity, the latter being the angel of darkness. 'Through the angel of darkness, however, even those who practice righteousness are liable to error. All their sin and their inequities, all their guilt and their deeds of transgression are the result of his domination; and thus, by God's inscrutable design, will continue until the time appointed by Him.' 🤔 Here are seven differences between "Ruach Elohim" and "Ruach Yahweh" as they appear in the Bible: 1. "Ruach Elohim" is first mentioned in Genesis 1:2, where it is translated as "Spirit of God." "Ruach Yahweh" is first mentioned in Judges 3:10, where it is translated as "the Spirit of the LORD." 2. "Ruach Elohim" is used throughout the Old Testament to describe the Spirit of God in general, while "Ruach Yahweh" is often used specifically in reference to the Spirit of God acting in a prophetic or empowering way, as in Judges 14:6 where Samson is "filled with the Spirit of Yahweh" to defeat a lion. 3. "Ruach Elohim" is sometimes used to describe the breath of life given to all creatures, as in Job 34:14-15 where it says that if God were to "gather back his breath [ruach]," all life would perish. "Ruach Yahweh" is not used in this sense. 4. In some passages, the two terms are used interchangeably. For example, in Isaiah 61:1, the Spirit of the Lord [Ruach Yahweh] is said to be upon the prophet, while in Ezekiel 11:5, the same phrase is translated as "the Spirit of God [Ruach Elohim] came upon me." 5. "Ruach Yahweh" is associated with the creation of humans in Genesis 2:7, where it says that Yahweh "breathed the breath [ruach] of life into [Adam's] nostrils." "Ruach Elohim" is not used in this context. 6. "Ruach Yahweh" is associated with the work of the Messiah in Isaiah 11:2, where it is said that "the Spirit of Yahweh will rest on him." "Ruach Elohim" is not used in this passage. 7. "Ruach Elohim" is used in the New Testament to refer to the Holy Spirit, as in Luke 3:22 where the Spirit descends on Jesus at his baptism "in bodily form like a dove." "Ruach Yahweh" is not used in the New Testament.

[@andreatheherbalist]

This was brave of you! I've had the same experience! I used to get kicked out of churches and Christian chat rooms because I kept talking about what Jesus said and they got pissed. This Christian "religion" would kill Jesus again if he tried the same teachings. He'd be called a communist, a necromancer, practitioner of the dark arts.

[@thatgh0stvariety814]

When Jesus was alive he was accused of being possessed by demons. (Matthew 12:24) If he was here today he would be accused of the same thing... :/

[@lmaooo3243]

Exactly, Jesus was a legitimate occultist, a true spiritual master. Modern christians fail to recognise this.

[@swagsukeuchiha7599]

​@@lmaooo3243was he?

[@lmaooo3243]

@@swagsukeuchiha7599 the devil tempting him was an allegory. He was working with demons. Any power like turning water to wine, walking on water etc to manifest means working with the dark side. He also picked up different siddhis, meditative techniques in his travels across India and Tibet, meeting buddhists/hindu sadhus. His ventures into obtaining occult powers will be deemed demonic by christians today. To gain enlightenment, to break the cycle of life & rebirth requires actively working on remebering one's subtle body and doing chakra work. This is all considered demonic by the church today lol. Christ was a boddhisatva, a warrior engaged in all arts, both dark and light to bring liberation to every living thing out there. He wants us all to escape this cycle of reincarnation. A dark occultist, that refused the temptations of the dark side and was truly in control of his mind, body,soul, astral body and actions in this world when he was alive. And for him to do this all in 33 yrs is no easy feat, a spiritual prodigy, some might say, God's own son. Not to mention, he did all of this while being in the Kali Yuga. A true gymnosophist, not just wanting liberation for himself but for all.

[@Christipher-f7m]

@@swagsukeuchiha7599 yes.

[@cmustard599]

Arguably, all religions begin with a mystic phase, in which a seeker attains Gnosis, or Enlightenment. They can't resist talking about it, and their attempts to communicate their insight attracts followers. As the group grows, it becomes factional and political, like all groups that must manifest institutional structure to cohere. Naming it, as you observed, creates teams that see different things in the same fictive signifier. The Dao that can be named is not the true Dao.

[@arete7884]

Exactly seems that people who have not reached a higher paradigm ,misunderstand everything due to their faulty perception at lower paradigms. Those stuck in ego without awareness of inner divine nature can only see through ego corruption.

[@Christipher-f7m]

Funny, I read that last line as “The Deo (God) that can be named is not the real Deo.”

[@Ely-zf4yt]

This is basically what the philosopher William James says in his Varieties of Religious Experience.

[@stokerbramwell]

And this right here is why you're my favorite spirituality channel on KZbin

[@FoolishFishBooks]

😄 thank you for the extremely kind words, @stokerbramwell! 🙏

[@DarrylBallegeer]

I tend to refer to modern 'Christianity' as 'Paulianity' precisely because the vast majority of the teachings are rooted far more in Paul's letters than anything ascribed to Jesus. Great video Denis, and timely for me as I seem to have stumbled into a major turning point in my spiritual journey.

[@andreatheherbalist]

Yes, and the Bible warns against the teachings of Paul saying that people were damning themselves with it! It's the church of Paul.

[@Dee8Bee]

Oh I’m gonna use that word. Thank you!

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@andreatheherbalist interesting… Whereabouts in the Bible Does it say this please?

[@iluminatesofnow4316]

Much of Paul’s words in the Bible including the some of the letters where not written by him but where instead attributed to him. There is also evidence that supports Paul being a major figure in the early Gnostic movement.

[@KillerFaceification]

I see a lot of people hating on Paul recently, but Paul's letters did a lot of good for me. Paul spoke out a lot against religion, just as much as Jesus did. Paul also spoke a lot about Grace and love, just like Jesus. He may not have been perfect, but neither was Jesus.

[@rosered1720]

This is huge. You're right, Jesus was a wild, rebel sage. I feel like you crystallized a bunch of feelings I had that needed to be aired out and seen properly.

[@DoctorNERO616]

Keep your honestly, the world needs more of it.

[@johncoltranesethic18]

I've saw positive perennialism in the form of the character of one of my college professor and i would like to describe it as follow: relentless passion in the subjects and non stop studying, a costant practice of sharing everything you know with who you will interact depending on their desires, a deep practice of caring and love, respect of every tradition emphasizing differences and communalities but not avoiding critics, a strong believe in brotherhood. I think there might be a lot more but these are some of the significant traits that comes to mind. I love this man, he has shown me what life can be if the heart is nourished. And the heart needs the nourishment of all other hearts as well.

[@Peter-rg4ng]

Just found your channel today! Beautifully rich and clearly communicated content. I consider myself an Inner Christian or Esoteric Christian practitioner. With contemplation or sitting still the core practice of being one with Jesus. As per Psalm 46:10 - "Be Still And Know That I AM God", "Be Still And Know That I AM ", "Be Still And Know", "Be Still", "Be". A wonderful book that I found years ago that if you have not reviewed: "Inner Christianity" - A guide to the Esoteric Tradition. Author is Richard Smoley pHD. Glad to be part of the wider community here and wishing all much love from the USA.

[@Dee8Bee]

Welcome!

[@TheWangtube]

I really appreciate your openness and putting my thoughts about religions into words. A similar journey landed me with Buddhism, and then not the worship of statues but the attitude of showing a path (meditation) to discover all by/for yourself. It landed me in Thailand where spirits and magic are still a very important part of daily life. Thanks for this video and all the work you do. I'm a big fan. 😊

[@rebellerevelle]

Thank you for sharing! I agree with everything you said here and also consider myself a mystic and perennialist as you describe it. Although I did not experience my spiritual awakening through Christ, I respect who he was and what he stood for. I was raised in the Mormon church and rejected it even as a child and became an atheist. I also became very depressed and suicidal thinking "If this is all there is, then what's the point? There's no point in living if God is indifferent or causes us to suffer just to teach us a lesson." Suddenly (while sober and alone in my dark night of the soul) I had a transcendental experience that made me believe without a doubt there is a loving higher power of which we are all a part of and gives value and purpose to our individual life. That's what started me down my journey of esoteric studies because I recognized that institutionalized religions were problematic. I considered joining the Rosicrucians AMORC but don't want to pay a membership fee and believe that shouldn't be a requirement to obtain sacred knowledge and wisdom. So for now I continue with my self study and appreciate resources such as your channel that make doing so more accessible.

[@Quareia]

excellent... truly excellent..and well said.. this needs shouting from the rooftops on a daily basis for anyone who feels they need to hear it.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Thank you Josephine 😄🙏 A tough topic, for sure! 😅 As always, I deeply appreciate your incredible support!

[@Agent_Intellect]

The thing is with Perennialism is that there are basically three different versions of Perennialism. There is an Experiential Perennialism (which is the one that you hold to, and which is promoted by Aldous Huxley), and which holds that the different mystics of the world have the same experience of the One/Good, and that this experience isn't limited by creed, faith, or belief. Then there is Metaphysical Perennialism, which comes in two forms, Universalist and Particularist. The Particularist take on Metaphysical Perennialism would be that God gave to Adam knowledge which was then passed down from Adam to the different Prophets and Philosophers of antiquity, and that this culminates in whichever religion one holds to if they are into the Particularist strain of Metaphysical Perennnialism, and that their religion abrogates all other Religions (this would be the view of the Renaissance Platonists like Ficino, Pico, Steuco, and Giles of Viterbo), while those outside the final religion would still be able to hold to the same philosophical and mystical views as those in the "true religion" it just wouldn't be efficacious or salvific. While the Universalist version of Metaphysical Perennialism (as held by the like of Schuon, Nasr, Lings and others) would still hold that there is a single metaphysics and mystical path at the core of different religions, but that it's just the outer dogmas and ritual/law which makes these religions different from one another, but with them still all being paths to God if one follows the path truly. It really doesn't help that these three different sets of beliefs all go by the same name, but one can usually tell quite quickly which brand of Perennialism one holds to once they describe their views.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

This is incredibly helpful, @Agent Intellect! Thank you!

[@Agent_Intellect]

@@FoolishFishBooks You're welcome. I have been reading about Perennialism of different kinds for about two years now, and that is the best way of categorizing the different types that I have come up with so far.

[@linwong1494]

@@Agent_Intellect Sorry I hope this isn’t a dumb question, but does this mean that the defining difference between Universal Perennialism and Experimental Perennialism is that one believes that all paths lead to god *so long as it’s followed sincerely/correctly* , whereas the other one emphasizes the individuals ability to discover their own path to The Nameless/God regardless of religion or if you believe in any at all? If so, does that count all the people who only believe in hard science of the physical world? Just trying to understand it all. Thank you for commenting!

[@artemismoonbow2475]

My life and understanding followed a similar path and thank you for sharing. I liked the abc, xyz analogy at the end because it made me think of how I struggled with understanding what people meant when they said "Ego". It seems simple, but I just never really got it until I read the Sanskrit term for it "Ahamkara" or the "I Am maker." Then I thought about all the times I said, "I am this, or I am that" throughout my life and really believed it every time. Every time you say, "I am" you not only construct an identity, but you swear an oath; to yourself and to others, and you are now on the hook for fulfilling that oath. At that point, you either play it out until it is fulfilled, or you go so far that you hit the contradictions that are destined to emerge and then stay the course or break the oath. Be careful when saying "I am," I don't think most of us realize how powerful that phrase is.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I have an entire video on this very phenomenon :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaawc6ylpspqias

[@artemismoonbow2475]

@@FoolishFishBooks Thank you, I will watch :)

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Thanks for this thoughtful and beautiful video, Denis! I'll just add a couple of thoughts. First, our discussion of perennialism was purely historiographic and certainly not meant to be polemical - though, to be very honest, I do have philosophical concerns about perennialism that I've discussed in my episode "Philosophy of Mysticism - Are Mystical Experiences True and Can Gnosis be Trusted?" And, as you point out towards the end of your video, for us, it's about knowing that Perennialism has its origin in the Latin Polemical Tradition. But, it's crucial not to commit the genetic fallacy and conclude that because Perennialism has its origin in this deeply troubling tradition that that somehow 'infects' or 'dooms' the whole philosophical project. I hope Dan and I made that abundantly clear and in so far as we didn't that's a fault on our part. Whatever my philosophical concerns, I deeply admire and respect your commitment to a spirituality that unites human beings in relationships of care and community. Secondly, I'm *kinda* on team Ficino/Pico, often despite what they actually write. Part of the Latin Polemical Tradition is that the polemicizing itself was often mostly for in-group signaling rather than actually trying to convert outsiders, most often Jews in this context. That's, of course, hard to appreciate given the history of anti-semitism and the 20th century, but it's true. Thus, Ficino, and especially Pico's project, was actually quite progressive despite Pico's polemical posturing. In fact, there's not a shred of evidence that he ever sought the conversion of the very Jews he was relying upon to provide him kabbalistic material, especially someone like Yohanan Alemanno. So, despite his apparent use of this polemical tradition in the construction of the proto-perennialism, it all actually set the stage for real intellectual and spiritual exchange between Jews and Christians, e.g., for Postel & Reuchlin (and thus Dee and Agrippa, etc.) and, eventually, the beginnings of religious toleration. So, that's all to say, that the situation with Ficino and Pico is very complicated and quite subtle with a lot more going on between the lines and behind the scenes. I'd give them another go - I really think they are worth it. Regardless, thanks for putting this out there and sharing your reflections with us all. I deeply appreciate this material and thank you for taking the time to produce it. Sorry for the long comment, but I wanted to reply thoughtfully to such a thoughtful piece. (edited: grammar)

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Justin, I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate this characteristically thoughtful, insightful, and way-opening comment. Unfortunately it's become apparent to me that over the past couple of years the word "Perennialist" has become very much a shorthand for "alt-right" fascist wannabe who doesn't have the courage of their convictions to call themselves what they really are. In short, fans of Evola. The video you made with Dan is usually cited as 'proof', which naturally has less to do with the video(s), and more to do with people seeking simple, yes or no answers to complexe, human questions. So yes, rather than 'let the colonialists have this one', I decided to add a little weight to my side of the scales. Nevertheless, the light that you have shone on the issues here is profoundly necessary, and my thanks to you both are heartfelt! This kind of rot thrives on people denying it exists. So once again, thank you, dear Justin! 😄🙏

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@FoolishFishBooks It's dreadfully horrible that perennialism, which I take to be an honest to goodness attempt to unite the best in world religions is being used by frankly evil people to advance their agenda. That you stand openly against that earns yourself my true and profound admiration. And I agree with you, coming from a philosophical tradition in which real evil was done (Marxism) - I don't want to let the bastards on either side to get an inch. I also just want to say that no matter where I might land philosophically, I always want to center a commitment to relationships of human flourishing over and against any cerebral disagreements. I'm happy to disagree and debate - and there are real difference of philosophy here - but what matters to me, first and foremost, is the integrity of respect and the centrality of friendship and comradery of a world where we can all flourish.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Yes! Relationships of human flourishing over cerebral disagreements FTW! 😄 And yes, I think there's no hiding from our Realist/Idealist dichotomy, but I think our mutual understanding that this is at most a basis for conversation (if that!) and certainly no basis for feud or disrespect is what is "essential" here. (See what I did there? 😜)

[@nordoflobsquipple3121]

100% and I grew up Christian home, the crazy kind. I have divorced myself from Christianity while I continue to embrace the teachings of the Christ though I would argue that there are two authors of "Paul's" epistles, one of them true and the other fake who was in direct contradiction. But then Paul said that there was someone else writing epistles in his name that were not his and the Council of Nicea embraced them because they were popular. Thank you for your content, Denis. (And I think your April Fool's video would have gotten a lot more views if the viewer discover it was a joke on their own.) And the God of Jesus (our Father in Heaven) Is also nameless.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Spot on, Nordo! :) Best wishes to you!

[@kylewalker5547]

As always, eloquently put Denis. What a wonderful video.

[@JiandiP]

Excellent! What's funny is that my own research led me to these very questions surrounding Perennialism. For some, there's a certain disdain for the idea of universalism or "Primordial Center" and the sometimes subsequent "conglomerate" systems of magic. The Golden Dawn is one example and I think it was a product of its time - which is a loaded statement because it depends what all is included with said time. I'll admit, I was oblivious to some people's criticism of certain Western Esoteric currents, particularly of the 20th century, but once I faced blowback from certain books I was quoting, I realized that the rabbit hole was deep and it was riddled with politics. I think that there is "something else in the pudding" in some cases but not all. I appreciate how the Discord channel is built on respect where compassion seems to happen naturally. And it would be good to just ignore the bad and politics and such, but I've been finding the roads between that and the Esoteric often mix. To what degree, I don't know. I'm still trying to get my bearings after many years. Maybe I'm a slow reader. Anyway, the hunt continues, I still believe in peace through understanding, and this video really came on time in an uncanny way. I plan to book a one on one sometime in the near future.

[@jamescady723]

Thank you for this testimony! Here's a big, spiritual hug, brother. Thanks for doing this work on YT.

[@LeoRamos77]

I'm not one known for actively posting comments, but I must say everything you said rang so true, for it matches, almost perfectly, my own thoughts on the matter. Thank you so much for putting your thoughts (and mine) to video format. Now I must review that biblical passage you mentioned, and perhaps, I too can have this Divine experience.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Leo. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your comment. I've spent two pretty anxious weeks preparing this, despite all my self-preservation instincts screaming at me not to... Knowing that the video has resonated with at least one person really makes it all worthwhile 🙏 thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this first comment so positive! 😄 My very best wishes to you!

[@LeoRamos77]

​@@FoolishFishBooksA true delight, Denis, and I fully aware this might not be the time and place to ask you this, but where could I find more information about this universal path towards theurgy? There are more books/authors out there than practical means to this Divine encounter, and honestly, it feels quite overwhelming at times. Thank you in advance for your precious time and guidance.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

@@LeoRamos77 the books I listed in the description should be a good start! 😄🙏

[@Its-Lulu]

I absolutely love the way you expressed yourself in this video. It is a breathe of fresh air to be amongst others who are of similar mindsets regarding organized religion and the wish for people to be truly free to reach their highest purpose in the way they resonate with the most, granted they do not cause harm to themselves or others. A wonderful video overall with great points!

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I appreciate your kind words, @ Lulu! :D Best wishes to you!

[@Its-Lulu]

@@FoolishFishBooks Likewise! Thank you for providing us all with quality videos ❤

[@georgesulea]

Well Said Sir. Our experiences, ethics and structure line up far more than I've encountered before. Amen👍 Also, "Organized Religion is an Oxymoron"...

[@mysticalwizardry]

Esoteric Saturday’s are the best, thanks for the message 🙌

[@agustincammarota4595]

Here in Argentina, it has been established "Apostolic Roman Catholic" as the official religion, at how it is today, trying to establish it's used as a political tool, and at this day, the religion makes millions out of our taxes and that money does not go towards the restoration of churches. Even following it or not, this is horrible. That led me to desync from church groups. So I've chosen to question everything, to not follow one religion and to try to understand a bit of everything. That took me to see things otherwise I wouldn't be able to see if I'd stayed following a church. I don't know if what I wrote was clear, but I'll just say, don't be part of a church that is no longer a religion, that became a political thing, because you'll be helping it to become nothing more but a business. Be a follower of the word of the God you choose to believe. And always try to question if everything you believe in is as you think... Maybe you'll find the answer in books of your religion, or maybe you'll find the answer in other religions. Cheers, and sorry if this comment can't be clear. Have a great day.

[@StephenMolloyGoogle]

Thank you for publishing this. Very thoughtful, gentle, and well-argued. It is content like this that gives you your place in the pantheon of Fantastic Spiritual KZbinrs -- right beside Justin Sledge, Angela Puca, Let's Talk Religion, and so many others.

[@newangeltarot]

I went to a Christian school and at the age of 12 you have encapsulated the exact thing I always knew and tried to explain to my friends. The happy clappy church vibe made NO SENSE. The universe is mental. Thanks JC!

[@musings.By.Marivii]

"Organized religions are a spiritual barrier" agreed. Its this feeling that turned me away from religion when i was younger. (Grew up in a roman Catholic home) I became atheist but deep down felt there had to be something more. I was then drawn to the occult and have always kept my roman Catholic prayers as part of my practice. Ironically, it's the occult that brought me back to religion. Back to my root studies. Thank u so much for your content. Edit: This is why i pray alone and just do my practice at home.

[@tamara6887]

What a fascinating short contemplation on the soul’s journey to the heart of the Divine ❤️

[@lantheeireannach5772]

Excellent video Denis, one of the best videos you've ever made 💙

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I'm sooo glad you liked it, Nya! As you could probably tell, it was more personal than usual, and that's always a gamble! 🙏 My best wishes to you, as always. Nya! 😄

[@lantheeireannach5772]

​@@FoolishFishBooks it was definitely worth the gamble. I find your most personal videos to be the ones I enjoy the most 🙏

[@denisehill7769]

As someone who went into lay ministry, I've felt this for a long time; to hear someone else voice my thoughts is such a gift. I have often looked at the established churches and compared them to the den of thieves that Jesus encountered. Why we followed the teachings of Paul I was never sure, yet the teachings of Jesus were constantly muddied. I have no regrets on leaving organised religion; in fact, following my own path has led me to a real and meaningful personal relationship with God. Thank you.

[@williamswanson1030]

Well done, sir. I, too, discovered much reading Smith and Nasr at length. I found the attachment to orthodoxy required by Nasr, Schuon, and the whole of the Traditionalist school to have caused the same interference to my process as that of organized religions in general that you address in this fine video. I have tremendous respect, of course, for their devotion to their path, the lives they have lead, and the body of teachings they have gifted to the world. However, and as you suggest, each soul creates their own stream in the flow to the great ocean, undisturbed by the dictates of doctrines and dogmas. Thank you, as always, for the work you do and for this channel.

[@gmccaughry]

Exquisitely explicated. Heart to heart, this was beautiful. (This/That Fish is indeed Far from Foolish.)

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Ah, I really appreciate your kind words, Gabriel! :D My very best wishes to you, as always!

[@amandamaher4364]

This is really beautiful and profound. Thank you, it's one of my favourites (along with the video you posted years ago about getting a lift home and the vast mind experiment). I'd love to hear more of your personal perspective and anecdotes! :)

[@sebastianosleah]

Thank you so much for the amazing video and such great footage of your local park in spring!

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 😄🙏

[@timesnewroman3880]

7 min into the video ant got to say this is one of the most important channels i have encountered to understand and go thru a shift of perspective i've been feeling since a few months ago. I am very lucky to have finded you and feel blessed, thank. Que Dios te bendiga.

[@cuakcuakful]

This video is very thought provoking. It touched my owned experiences to a great extent, at the same time, for some reason, it scared me. Cannot explain why. Raised as a christian I find much comfort in organized religion and its rites. Also as a dad, I dinf organized religion as a good introduction to an spiritual life for my son, with its clear rules and principles. At the same time, as a parent I am responsible for my son's introduction in the spiritual life, and I would very much like him (and my self) to be more open minded to the different aspects and ways towards "god" or the "whole" as I like to think. This is definitely something that I need to read more about and expand upon. Thank you for this video

[@selinaaylin7224]

I‘m only 5 minutes in, but this is literally the way I describe my faith! This is crazy! I am a believer of the teachings of the Bible but don’t associate with Christianity or call my self a Christian. Also have been learning and leaning into perennialism. Already love this video.

[@SomeRandomGuy777x]

While I agree with the vast majority of what you say (👏) we must not forget that there is more to the path than just the awareness/experience of the nameless/oneness or emptiness. Many will have you believe you can take any path, and while there are many paths (angles, entry points, symbolical systems of initiations) leading towards liberation/salvation. There are even more amounts of traps. (Skeptic trap, to exoteric trap, to nihilism etc) Only a couple ways takes you the whole way. (Narrow-direct and spiral-slower-indirect) A problem arise when the ego (the sense of self) take this, calls itself spiritual and fall into the very same trap that most pop religious people falls into... believing itself to have the truth without a foundation, not seeing the path beyond experiencing the nameless spirit. ("Building the golden bodies", aquiring your soul through being fully aware at all times, with various extransensorial perceptions along with it etc etc) To take Yoga as an example. Yama and Niyama is a prerequisite. Not optional. It serves a purpose on the path. You can replace those with its opposite (which Crowley did with some "success" as a 'black' magician), and still experience the nameless. But the experience itself is not liberation from samsara or salvation in Christ (which is the source light, the universal creation consciousness). If that is the goal of course. For you can densify consciousness and draw it further down away from the divine as well, with the very same experience (in one way; trying to bottle up the essence and use it for selfish means) (maybe naming it a left hand path) By densifying the ego in a downward spiral instead of purging the control it has over your true self. Something that is very tricky for a lot of people to understand. Because they think through their egos. And play with this "good and evil is a false duality" and cant comprehend that it is only so (truthful) when you yourself are beyond the relative in absolutely every moment. Which is one step closer to being Christified, but there is more. (Its like saying "I already conqured death itself, nullified my karma, know no suffering and unified my soul with the golden immortal/solar bodies and Im aware of everything within all the seven dimensions of my being.. hence good and evil is no longer.." -- physical being only one of those, etheric and astral being the two most easily accessible but until then, it is a lie to state such) Now most will understand that your yama and niyama was fulfilled in the following of Christ's teachings. (Which is your source of ethical "grounding" and foundational path of action) but this is something that is very tricky for beginner (even intermediate) to grasp. Without very detailed clarification. And with that delicate clarification, there will be a lot of backlash on the message. Thats when the world will start to be negative towards your message. Its the hardest truth to face for, well.. any ego. And I wonder if this is what Jesus meant, when he said 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19 (but to 25 for perfect context) Which a lot of Christians interpret falsly to their own identity of belief of course.

[@nmelodic6391]

I very much appreciate this video about your beliefs and the initial experiences that led you on your path! The "Universal Numinous" was something I was fortunate to originally hear discussed in such a way in a 1st year university course. That unusual course required all students to do meditation practices from mystical branches of Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam, while studying the basics of their unique appreciations and expressions of the "nameless." It was a wonderful experience for someone recovering from a fundamentalist Calvinist branch of Christianity. I was also first exposed to witchcraft and neo-paganism through a research project I did in that course. On a different note, I am always interested in the nuanced possibilities of labels. Certainly, labels can be divisive, and function as a dreadful kind of "tribalism". Alternatively, labels can function as containers (structure) that allow growth; they can give testament to the ancestry and/or teachings (lineages) that have legitimately helped bring us to where we are and how we understand things. Yet, our individual experiences and life paths are never entirely captured by labels, though they may be contextualized by them...

[@linwong1494]

Oh man this video really put to words some of the ideas and thoughts I’ve had bouncing around in my head a while that I’ve struggled so long to express in a way that did it justice. Thank you again, Denis! I must look into this some more

[@Pzikodandy]

Beautiful reflections, Denis! 🐟 I remember when you told us about your experience that night, the train station, walking alone in the darkness and then the guy in the car... Since that moment I found you very honest and passionate about your spiritual path and that video made me follow your content and I can tell now that thanks to you I've found a few gems. 💎📖💎 The magical and spiritual books you share are something so important to me on a personal level I can't thank you enough (not even "closer" people have revealed to me so many treasures as you do). Because of that I consider you a spiritual friend, dear Fish 🤗 kind regards my friend! Blessings always! 🙏🏼🌞🎉

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Thank you for your kind words, @Pzikonautik! I'm so glad you've found my videos useful! :D My very best wishes to you!

[@clarkefountain2258]

I've had an analagous situation, beginning a bit earlier than you. Brought up in a family that had been Calvinist for 400 years, I always had an outsider's approach. At age 15 or so, I had a clear insight into the arising and dissolution of thoughts that subsequent study and experience has verified. As a youth, I never quite managed orthodoxy, though I got a lot out of some "orthodox" writers (CS Lewis, for one). This in the 1950's. But at Bible Summer Camp, I was asking the counselors about the clear evidence of reincarnation in the Gospels. They were totally flabbergasted. (e.g., "Did this man sin, or his parents, that he was born blind.") I was doing classical yoga at age seven, reading Cayce, Blavatsky, Leadbetter et al., and still going to church with my parents. But I had even then various things and encounters happening. Since then I've made a lifetime study of religions and history, and I agree with your conclusions. From time to time, I've experienced the numinous more or less clearly, and the magical also. Thank you for sharing and for your exploration of the classical religious and philosophic traditions. I feel a deep kinship with what you have said. I'd have given a lot to have a friend like you when I was a boy! It's very lonely not being part of the herd, or at least it can be.

[@greyconfetti9430]

Love your Esoteric Saturday videos. I get really excited when you post them. Thank you for this wonderful content. Also for the beautiful scenery ❤️

[@MrZoMBeeZie6]

You just summarized my life experience. Soooo glad to know I'm not alone

[@user-greybeard]

Well done. This aligned with my thoughts. Thank you for posting it

[@MikeTomano]

Incredible! So glad I found your channel. This video mirrors much of my own journey. Continued success. Thank you.

[@RaptorSeer]

This is very timely. Years of study and practice can get one to a point of seeing threads of a common theme in all the traditions you mentioned. It also seems that humans are clever at cherry-picking the doctrines of any belief system in order to reinforce their social order and political hegemony, so that even something as seemingly all-inclusive as perennialism could be warped to enable oppression and censorship. Maybe there needs to be a system or agreement to assure that certain cultural elements of religion remain decentralized to prevent that.

[@akgunkel]

Wonderful video, many great points. Systems of belief are like maps that can help us make sense of the world. But as the saying goes... the map is not the territory, the word is not the thing. Forget this and trouble quickly follows. You understand this, part of the reason I enjoy your channel so much.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Such a vital point! :D Thank you for pointing this out, Alexander!

[@mateoromo5587]

I loved this video ! Thank you for explaining and defending the importance of the Perennial Philosophy. I just found out about this channel but now it is one of my favorites.

[@gannicus8228]

Fantastic video. I've already shared it with my friends. Thank you so much for what you do.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Thank you so much, Gannicus! I really appreciate your support! :D Best wishes to you as always!

[@ihavefunnyF33T]

8:17 obviously 🙄 well put, sir. Thank you for your hard work. It resonates with me.

[@xaime3802]

Thank you for saying this out loud. I've been having a kind of a crisis lately, and knowing that someone also thinks this way helps a lot

[@occultislux]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Denis!

[@JoeSiegfried]

Thanks you were literally preaching to the choir! 2 thumbs up!

[@whatsyourglitch]

Thank you. It is sad to me that one must be considered brave to share their differing perspectives, yet that is accurate. I really appreciate how passionate, concise and objectively honest you are. As a lifelong 'wanderer', I feel validated because you just explained the crux of a huge personal dilemma I've had since I was 7. Beautiful. Thank you.

[@gps8958]

Thanks Denis for the amazing personal journey and for inviting us to join you.

[@danielemacciantelli1788]

What an incredible video! thank you Denis, please do more of this walks&talks

[@Nussknacker1]

Wonderful video. Perfectly articulates what I've been feeling for years but didn't have the words to describe. Thanks for so wonderfully articulating perennialism.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, @V Scott! Best wishes to you!

[@robertblackmore703]

Our language is, for better or worse, not built to discuss these matters of universal spiritual truth and experience. Yet here you go again, doing a damn fine job of it, despite the challenge and limitations. There’s also a fine reminder here about being able to disagree with one’s friends and maintain respect and appreciation for them. I wish I saw this trait a lot more frequently than I do in present times. Cheers, and much love.

[@tracyking4518]

I hope we can give ai a healthy example of relationships

[@NeanderdeOliveira]

Thanks for this! I grew Seventh-Day Adventist. I was an atheist for 10 years (and I always thought that would be the end of it). Then I had some first-hand experiences with mystical phenomena and got into magick. Yet now I find myself out of place, as someone who reads the Bible. I don’t feel comfortable calling myself a Christian (it’s strange to me that I would need to label myself at this junction). And I don’t feel comfortable mingling with the Adventists I grew up with (they know nothing), even though today I recognize that the Adventist pioneers had a full grasp of the mystical systems of thought and called people to have the same first-hand experience “in the sanctuary” they had had. At the end of the day, I just have to have my own journey, and stand on what I have discovered for myself. No true God would expect anything more or less of anyone in these confusing times.

[@helenpoisson2209]

A difficult subject, very eloquently and convincingly expressed! Much love.

[@michorizo84]

This was beautiful. Thank you ❤

[@numinous1328]

"The Dark Side of Perennialism" I feel did fail to say much of relevance on Perennialism as it existed post-renascence, and this was done I feel so that the colonialism studies methodology would pan out better and make a more convincing argument. There were sections that were just wrong such as the dealings with Guenon and Evola (the attempt to say that no continuity exists between the two even if Evola diverges a lot with his politicization of his esotericism), and the idea the Ficino and Mirandola are a line of direct continuity to any contemporary or post-renascence Perennialists to me just seems invented. I think if anything, Perennialism had a "long sleep" and only existed in non-discursive forms within Esoteric traditions until the 19th century where you start to have philosophers and writers attempting to expose exoteric audiences to the concept of universal tradition/Emanationism/Perennialism/etc. There was also a kind of tone where they talked about "rustling jimmies" in the comments which gave the impression that they were not interested in moving on their stance for social or political reasons, which would of course complicate reading historiographies which would be problematic for that stance. Dr. Sledge and Modern Hermeticist both do amazing videos and great work on the histories of Esoteric traditions, but I think that video was the first time I had to have a hard disagreement with their narrativization and conclusion on things. I'd been following both of them when their channels just started so it was a change of pace to be sure.

[@Dee8Bee]

So true! Thank you for taking us on your walk. I love seeing the trees and grass 🥰

[@MasterInfernoMusic]

Thanks for this, Denis. Definitely helped me get a better hold on some things.

[@noahdanielg]

I am a Perennialist as well, practicing Vaiṣṇava Dharma! Read René Guénon if you haven’t already 📿

[@The_Sorry_Asura]

Hare Krishna🕉🙏🏻!

[@noahdanielg]

@@The_Sorry_Asura Ki Jaya 🙏🏻

[@ruthiverse]

Hi Denis! Thank you for sharing! This makes me look even more forward to your book than I already was. 😃

[@The_Captainn]

I have encountered the same thing, and came to the same conclusions because of it. However, I have never dived into the teachings of Jesus as deeply as I'd have liked to, and thanks to your accounts I will do just that. Cheers, Brother.

[@_o_]

You got my attention when you mentioned Huston Smith. I still use his metaphor of the stained glass window, each pane of glass colored by the beliefs of the individual, each color a sect or organizationally filtered perception of the whole spectrum, a branch of the "trunk" that is the unnamable. The narcotic free method I've found that can lead toward a direct experience of the "whole" is paradox; like a gateway from the rational to the emotional, or from the physical to the spiritual, paradox is the hinge that completes the whole while also providing a division or doorway to give the nothing form. Paradox is the place we find ourselves when we've honestly assessed our strongest beliefs, where our individuality becomes dissolved into the whole.

[@QvodInferivs]

Even though we are all on our own paths, I whole heartdly agree with what you say. This is why i follow your channel a guiding light, Thank you and bless you Foolish Fish.

[@sutter-cane777]

Beautifully said. I've just recently come across your channel, what a find. Thank you!

[@FoolishFishBooks]

😄🙏 I'm very happy it resonates for you!

[@CesarChin3]

This 👏🏽is👏🏽huge👏🏽 I desperately needed this video. Thank you. Glad I am not alone in this path. 🤯🤯

[@hekateon.ioannis.lasorsa]

Though I may tend to agree to disagree on the more known teachings of Jesus, (from some research and experience of my own) I definitely agree with you on organized religion and I find it absurd over various sects claiming to have the right away of belief in what they call god. Being raised Orthodox, I think that's one of the major components of what bars me from coming to that mindset (and branch )in particular. From my 15+ years of questioning faith and finding my own path, I can't help but find it disheartening when people use those elements of their beliefs to cloud their judgement or understanding of the divine

[@samiam3297]

Spoken like a Sage 🙂👍

[@theoccultlibrarian5386]

Thank you for expressing so eloquently what many struggle to put into words 👏

[@dommi3199]

Danke!

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Thank you so much @Dorian! What a very kind gesture! 😄🙏 My very best wishes to you!

[@dommi3199]

@@FoolishFishBooks You are very very welcome! I enjoyed this Video a lot.. Thank you for your great Work and please keep it up! 🍀🤩🍀

[@QuaesitorDei]

Just when I think I'm having a spiritual faith crisis you bring me right back to centre. Phew. I hate those moments of emptiness and fear. Thanks

[@imphoenixfire]

Very interesting video. The first part of it resonated with me and my spiritual practice. Near the end, I got lost because I'm not aware of the people you were speaking of. The video got my attention initially because I thought you were going to talk about how you yourself practice your spirituality without falling into a colonialist/racist/white supremacist view, which to me would have been incredibly helpful. In any case, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@joaquimrosa5967]

Smart, objective, brilliant...! A path that I have been looking for for years and that I still use.

[@Hannahbets]

I've never identified with an explanation more, thank you!

[@badtaste311]

This comment is before fully seeing this video, but I want to state that the one verse that stands out and rings in my mind so much is "and then man sinned against the animals".

[@kdean5514]

Whew!! Well said and done. Thanks for the pointings F.F! Appreciated!!

[@alhassani626]

The inherent imperfection of the world is what makes virtue a miracle.

[@Tactical_Hedge3409]

Thank you for your hard work. What you've done is not easy.

[@TechnoEsoterica]

A truly great, honest and heartfelt video.

[@myrv_the_ocelot]

Loved this video, thank you 💖💖💖

[@pjbankston]

Amen brother - I consider myself a follower of Jesus but not a Christian. I agree that religions are one of the world’s biggest threats.

[@comeandsee9643]

Wonderful! “The good Cause of all is both of much utterance, and at the same time the briefest utterance and without utterance; as having neither utterance nor conception, because It is superessentially exalted above all, and manifested without veil and in truth, to those alone who enter into the divine gloom.” Dionysius The Areopagite.

[@leecargle6952]

Great job outlining your thoughts on this important subject.

[@clickityclack7217]

My Word you have just expressed my Heart!

[@jamesskinnercouk]

Never heard of the Perennials thank you and I instantly subscribed to those 2 other channels you mentioned. Could be called the thingy religion or Order of the thingy majig. The ever presence of the unfolding experience and we simply adhere to it and share it in which ever way we can and to learn from it a better way of life so we can have a good time.

[@orchilhenry6971]

That chimes beautifully with my belief Thank you for expressing it

[@taoistviewer8529]

I Absolutely do relate and agree, to the essence of the matter that you speak of.

[@badtaste311]

It would be really amazing to be able to speak with you Denis. To try and articulate the accumulated knowledge into one message is just not sufficient enough. To discuss such experiences are truly ineffable regardless, but to share one anothers experiences is where familiarity starts.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I have set up a website where you can book a 25 minute or 55 minute chat with me. It's a bit expensive, I'm afraid, but it keeps slots available (and me free to occasionally do other things! 😅) foolishfish.simplybook.it

[@badtaste311]

@@FoolishFishBooks I absolutely understand. If I were paid a handsome sum to make the daily content you do, I still wouldn't be able too myself. The quality of work you do is priceless and immensely invaluable. We will discuss this one day soon, it's something that can not be cast aside and forgotten, I live every day with this experience and that it actually happened. It was pure knowledge, like an absolute certainty in mindset and what was happening. It was as if I saw a picture I have seen a million times, but in that moment, it was as if I actually comprehended it to its absolute purest and true form of "is". Like picturing in your mind's eye a scientific experiment but for this the first time ever you actually see it completely and in truth what it truly is. It's like when you truly understand what a concept is and what actually is, and what that "is" presents itself in a voluntary form, almost like a reunion of something coming back together and the totality of that is, in itself, the truest form of "knowing" something. It's as if actual knowledge emerges, not what we call teaching & learning which is more familiar to memorization through repitition (like a teacher teaching the alphabet, in which she was taught by being told instead of being presented with what actually is through the experience of the subject itself). Typing is too clumsy, so this is where I end for now. 🤗

[@arimagoo4687]

Very cool video talk ! 👍🙏♥️

[@allyourbase888]

It’s beautiful to find a fellow traveler. 🙏🏾❤️

[@kayr0112]

Once again I lack words to describe how I feel. So in short. Thank you.

[@miller13ico]

well said, always a pleasure, thankyou.

[@nomorenames5568]

Absolutely fascinating

[@leahlemieux]

Sanity in a mad world. an oasis of thought and being. thank you.

[@trippy6183]

Excellent. Love from a fellow perennial.