The Essential Frithjof Schuon

Frithjof Schuon (1907-1998) was widely acknowledged as the foremost 20th century exponent of the Perennial Philosophy . These selections, chosen under his supervision, were approved by him during his lifetime and confirmed as a representative volume of his magisterial writings. Covering a enormous range of topics on the nature of religion, esotericism and mysticism, love and knowledge of God, theology and philosophy, Schuon’s unique approach to comparative religion, metaphysics, aesthetics, prayer, the spiritual path and criticism of the modern world, this volume opens the way to understanding one of the most influential philosophers and spiritual leaders of our time.

There is no better point of entry for the reader seeking to understand the vast intellectual and spiritual world of Frithjof Schuon and the Perennial Philosophy.

The special nature of the message of Frithjof Schuon is revealed with radiant clarity in the selections chosen for this volume. These essays were approved by Schuon in his lifetime and confirmed by him as a definitive collection of his essential writings.

Frithjof Schuon had a unique ability to penetrate to the heart of the world’s great spiritual traditions, revealing new dimensions that astounded general readers and scholars alike. Schuon’s insights on religion, prayer, the spiritual life, aesthetics, philosophy, theology, traditional civilization, and the errors of modernism shine throughout this book. There is nowhere a better point of entry into the perspective of this towering figure of philosophy and comparative religion than this volume. The introduction by Seyyed Hossein Nasr will be of great assistance to the reader wishing to better understand the thought of the man about whom Huston Smith wrote: “intellectually a propos religion, equally in depth and breadth, the paragon of our time.”