Description
'The man is a living wonder; intellectually apropos religion equally in depth and breadth the paragon of our time. I know of no living thinker who begins to rival him ...' wrote Professor Huston Smith of Frithjof Schuoh. Whether it be the domain od religion art theology or epistemology the perspective of Schuon remains always metaphysical. He is first and foremost a metaphysician concerned with the reality of religion art human society or the cosmic order.In this book Schuon deals with a wide range of metaphysical doctrinal and practical matters. His profound insights into the great religious traditions elucidate with remarkable clarity the essential aspects of spiritual wisdom which he says can be found in every true and complete way. In a time of increasing scepticism or anxious bewilderment and confusion in relation to the realm of the spirit this book will repay thoughtful study. Some readers will find that religious `problems when related to their appropriate levels will disappear; others that new questions and perceptions will awake. Whatever the religion a man may follow Schuons remarkable writings should provide much material for thought and no small measure of spiritual stimulus. Schuon collaborated for over twenty years with Rene Guenon and was named by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy as one of the very few who are qualified to interpret authentically the oriental doctrines.
Extract
THE whole existence of the peoples of antiquity and of traditional peoples in general is dominated by two presiding ideas the idea of Centre and the idea of Origin. In the spatial world we live in every value is related back in one way or another to a sacred Centre to the place where Heaven has touched the earth; in every human world there is a place where God has manifested Himself to spread His grace therein. Similarly for the Origin the quasi-timeless moment where Heaven was near and when terrestrial things were still half-celestial; but the Origin is also in the case of civilizations having a historical founder the time when God spoke thereby renewing the primordial alliance for the branch of humanity concerned. To conform to tradition is to keep faith with the Origin and for that very reason it is also to be situated at the Centre; it is to dwell in the primordial Purity and in the universal Norm. Everything in the behaviour of ancient and traditional peoples can he explained directly or indirectly by reference to these two ideas which are like landmarks in the measureless and perilous world offorms and of change.
Description
'The man is a living wonder; intellectually apropos religion equally in depth and breadth the paragon of our time. I know of no living thinker who begins to rival him ...' wrote Professor Huston Smith of Frithjof Schuoh. Whether it be the domain od religion art theology or epistemology the perspective of Schuon remains always metaphysical. He is first and foremost a metaphysician concerned with the reality of religion art human society or the cosmic order.In this book Schuon deals with a wide range of metaphysical doctrinal and practical matters. His profound insights into the great religious traditions elucidate with remarkable clarity the essential aspects of spiritual wisdom which he says can be found in every true and complete way. In a time of increasing scepticism or anxious bewilderment and confusion in relation to the realm of the spirit this book will repay thoughtful study. Some readers will find that religious `problems when related to their appropriate levels will disappear; others that new questions and perceptions will awake. Whatever the religion a man may follow Schuons remarkable writings should provide much material for thought and no small measure of spiritual stimulus. Schuon collaborated for over twenty years with Rene Guenon and was named by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy as one of the very few who are qualified to interpret authentically the oriental doctrines.
Extract
THE whole existence of the peoples of antiquity and of traditional peoples in general is dominated by two presiding ideas the idea of Centre and the idea of Origin. In the spatial world we live in every value is related back in one way or another to a sacred Centre to the place where Heaven has touched the earth; in every human world there is a place where God has manifested Himself to spread His grace therein. Similarly for the Origin the quasi-timeless moment where Heaven was near and when terrestrial things were still half-celestial; but the Origin is also in the case of civilizations having a historical founder the time when God spoke thereby renewing the primordial alliance for the branch of humanity concerned. To conform to tradition is to keep faith with the Origin and for that very reason it is also to be situated at the Centre; it is to dwell in the primordial Purity and in the universal Norm. Everything in the behaviour of ancient and traditional peoples can he explained directly or indirectly by reference to these two ideas which are like landmarks in the measureless and perilous world offorms and of change.