Esoterism as Principle and as Way: A New Translation with Selected Letters

by Frithjof Schuon, Harry Oldmeadow (Editor)

Overview

Frithjof Schuon’s perspective of pure esoterism focuses on the inward and universal dimension of religion, also referred to as the sophia perennis (“perennial wisdom”). His works provide invaluable keys to understanding the formal contradictions between the world’s religions as well as their transcendent unity. In Esoterism as Principle and as Way readers will discover the essential truth that lies at the heart of the world’s religions, as well as the role of prayer, virtue, and beauty in the spiritual life. This revised edition of Schuon’s writings on esoterism features a fully revised translation from the French original as well as over 60 pages of new material, including previously unpublished selections from the author’s letters and other private writings, an editor’s preface, editor’s notes, a glossary of foreign terms and phrases, an index, and biographical notes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936597642
Publisher:	World Wisdom
Publication date:	09/07/2019
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Frithjof Schuon (1907-1998) is best known as the foremost spokesman of the Perennial Philosophy. A gifted artist and poet as well as the author of over twenty books on religion, metaphysics, sacred art, and the spiritual path, Schuon’s books have been translated into over a dozen languages and are respected by academic and religious authorities alike. Harry Oldmeadow was Coordinator of Philosophy and Religious Studies at La Trobe University Bendigo, Australia, until his recent retirement. He is a well-respected authority on the Perennialist school of comparative religion and the author of Frithjof Schuon and the Perennial Philosophy. He lives in Bendigo, Australia.

Table of Contents

Editor’s Preface vii Introduction xiii I. Sophia Perennis Understanding Esoterism 3 The Mystery of the Veil 37 Hypostatic and Cosmic Numbers 57 The Primordial Tree 71 II. Spiritual & Moral Life The Triple Nature of Man 85 The Virtues in the Way 93 The Nature and Role of Sentiment 109 What Sincerity Is and What It Is Not 115 The Problem of Sexuality 121 Dimensions of the Human Vocation 139 The Supreme Commandment 143 The True Remedy 151 Criteria of Worth 161 III. Aesthetic & Theurgic Phenomenology Foundations of an Integral Aesthetics 169 The Degrees of Art 177 The Role of Appearances 193 The Function of Relics 199 An Elementary Criteriology of Celestial Apparitions 205 The Sun Dance 215 IV. Sufism The Religion of the Heart 225 The Way of Unity 231 Appendix Selections from Letters and Other Previously 239 Unpublished Writings Editor’s Notes 249 Glossary of Foreign Terms and Phrases 283 Index 297 Biographical Notes 309

Editorial Reviews

Frithjof Schuon was one of the leading metaphysicians and visionaries of the twentieth century, and his brilliant writings penetrate extraordinarily deeply into the meaning and message of the great religions and sacred traditions of humanity. Esoterism as Principle and as Way belongs to his most important works.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Schuon is the pre-eminent exponent of what has been called the traditionalist or perennialist school.. .. The esoterism with which Frithjof Schuon is concerned is. .. nothing other than the sophia perennis itself, the timeless wisdom that lies at the heart of the diverse religions.

Harry Oldmeadow

As a point of entry to Schuon’s teachings, I often recommend Esoterism as Principle and as Way, a book that proceeds directly into the heart of the universal and perennial message of this metaphysician.

James S. Cutsinger

A wide-ranging compendium of philosophic and spiritual enlightenment.

William Stoddart

The title [Esoterism as Principle and as Way] may be said to sum up his writings as a whole.

Martin Lings