Islam
Smith discovered Islam as an adult, and became enamored with Islamic conceptions of order, justice, mercy, and compassion. He still prays five times a day as Muslims do. The Sufis opened the doors of Islam to Smith. Through their trance-inducing dan...
Christianity and Judaism
Because we are removed from spirituality today, Smith believes we find it difficult to understand the true meaning of Christianity. Smith explains that Christianity wouldn’t have existed if its “spirit had not been real and dense and palpable an...
A Personal Philosophy
This program summarizes and distills what we have learned about the great religions in this series. Smith’s lifetime of experience and study helps him to go beyond the differences between each tradition. He shows how the cultivation of virtues val...
Confucianism
Born in China of missionary parents, Huston Smith learned about Chinese language, culture, and religion while growing up near Shanghai. Smith explains how the intertwining of opposites is key to understanding the great religions of China—Confucian...
Mysticism and the perennial philosophy: Huston Smith speaks
Huston Smith has devoted his life to study of the ineffable experience. This program opens windows of understanding into the renowned mystic philosopher’s unceasing quest for truth about the ultimate nature of reality as he shares the story of his...
Hinduism and Buddhism
This program explores the two great religions to come from India. “The historian of religion can find almost anything he wants in India, enacted with intensity. What remains is to carry its insight into everyday life.” Smith uncovered the myster...