Splendor of the True: A Frithjof Schuon ReaderFrithjof Schuon (1907 1998), the leading figure in the perennialist school of comparative religious thought, remains one of the most provocative voices on religion. Bridging the divide between seeker and scholar, Schuon challenges the prevailing notion that religion should be studied with agnostic neutrality. He speaks to those who are looking for greater interfaith understanding and a deeper penetration to the esoteric heart of specific traditions, while turning the tables on an increasingly noisy chorus of skeptics. In Splendor of the True, James S. Cutsinger selects essential writings that reflect the full range of Schuon s thought on religion and tradition, metaphysics and epistemology, human nature and destiny, sacred art and symbolism, and spirituality and contemplative method. In addition to Schuon s essays, the book includes a number of poems, artworks, and previously unpublished materials drawn from his letters, personal memoirs, and private texts for disciples. An introductory chapter provides a careful examination of Schuon as perennial philosopher, Sufi shaykh, and teacher of gnosis. |
Contents
ILLUSTRATIONS | vi |
POEMS | viii |
FOREWORD | xiii |
INTRODUCTION | xv |
PREFACE | xlix |
I
RELIGION AND TRADITION | 1 |
II THE PERENNIAL PHILOSOPHY | 41 |
III
HUMAN NATURE AND DESTINY | 81 |
V
SPIRITUALITY | 153 |
RELIGIO PERENNIS | 191 |
SELECTIONS FROM LETTERSSPIRITUAL TEXTS AND MEMOIRS | 199 |
TRANSLATORS NOTES | 235 |
GLOSSARY | 263 |
SOURCES | 275 |
277 | |
287 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Absolute According Adastra Arabic aspect Avatara beauty Bloomington Brahma Buddha Buddhism celestial Christ Christian consciousness contemplative cosmic Cutsinger definition difl'qerent discernment disciple divine doctrine dream esoteric esotericism Essence essential existence expression fact faith feminine final finally find fire first Frithjof Schuon gnosis gnostic heart Heaven hence Hindu Hinduism Holy human Ibn Arabi idea immanent Indiana infinite insofar Intellect intelligence intrinsic Islam knowledge Koran literally manifestation means Meister Eckhart metaphysical mode Muslim mystery mystical Name nature Nirvana nonetheless note for Ch object outward Paradise path Perennial Philosophy perfect perspective philosophy plane point of view possible precisely primordial Principle Prophet pure question Real reality realization reason reflects religion religious Revelation sacred Saint Samsara Sanskrit Schuon sense Sophia Perennis soul speak specifically spiritual master substance Sufi Sufism symbolism tariqah things traditional transcendent translator’s note truth universal unto Virgin virtue whereas words World Wisdom Books