The Future of Traditionalism: A Discussion with Mark J. Sedgwick
Aug 18, 2023
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Mark J. Sedgwick discusses the rise of Traditionalism, its influences from ancient beliefs in Vedanta and Sufism, and its impact on modern society. The conversation explores traditionalist views on democracy, art, and nationalism, highlighting connections between traditionalism and political figures like Jordan Peterson and Putin.
Traditionalism influences powerful figures in the US, Russia, and Brazil, impacting political decisions and outcomes.
Traditionalists seek ancient spiritual truths through practices like Sufism, aiming for self-realization and divine union.
Deep dives
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Central Tenet of Traditionalism
Traditionalism revolves around the belief in a timeless, ancient sacred wisdom referred to as the perennial philosophy, which suggests that various religious and spiritual practices around the world share a common origin. This core belief underpins traditionalist views on seeking original truths within contemporary expressions.
Traditionalism and Religious Practices
Within traditionalism, a focus on ancient truths is evident in the examination of Hinduism's caste system and Vedas, with Sufism often considered a more accessible contemporary practice aligning with primordial tradition. The exploration of religious texts and practices reveals traditionalists' attempts to connect with the original essence of spiritual beliefs.
Sufism as a Spiritual Path
Sufism offers a spiritual journey toward self-realization and union with the divine, emphasizing experiences that transcend verbal description. Traditionalists are drawn to Sufism's focus on divine connection and spiritual enlightenment, despite the diverse interpretations and expressions within the Sufi tradition.
Twenty years ago, it seemed Traditionalism was an esoteric and irrelevant set of beliefs. Since then, powerful people sympathetic to its ideas have overturned that perception. In the US, Russia, and Brazil powerful presidential advisers have drawn on traditionalism to disastrous effect – the Trump presidency and the war in Ukraine both owe something to traditionalism. Mark Sedgwick has written Traditionalism: The Radical Project for Restoring Sacred Order(Oxford UP, 2023) and he has been thinking where Traditionalism – or post Traditionalism - goes now. Listen to him in conversation with Owen Bennett Jones.
Owen Bennett-Jones is a freelance journalist and writer. A former BBC correspondent and presenter he has been a resident foreign correspondent in Bucharest, Geneva, Islamabad, Hanoi and Beirut. He is recently wrote a history of the Bhutto dynasty which was published by Yale University Press.