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The Underlying Religion is an anthology of 25 essays by 14 of the leading exponents of the “Perennialist” or “Traditionalist” school of comparative religious thought, associated with René Guénon, Ananda Coomaraswamy, and Frithjof Schuon. This school is well known for its espousal of the “transcendent unity of religions”—the idea that religions are different paths leading to the same summit. Focusing its selection on the most accessible of the Perennialist writings, and structured in such a way as to allow for the easiest possible comprehension, The Underlying Religion aims to be the most accessible introduction yet to the perspective of the Perennial Philosophy.
Martin Lings was Keeper of Oriental Manuscripts and Printed Books at the British Museum. He is the author of the widely known and admired book Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources, and was himself one of the most prominent and active Perennialist authors of the 20th century. Dr. Lings died in May, 2005. Clinton Minnaar is a professional editor in the field of religious studies. Originally from South Africa, he currently lives with his wife in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
About the Author(s)
Martin Lings
Martin Lings (1909-2005) was a leading member of the “Traditionalist” or “Perennialist” school and an acclaimed author, editor, translator, scholar, Arabist, and poet whose work centers on the relationship between God and man through religious doctrine, scripture, symbolism, literature, and art. He was an accomplished metaphysician and essayist who often turned to the world’s great spiritual traditions for examples, though he is probably best known for his writings on Islam and its esoteric tradition, Sufism.
Dr. Lings co-edited The Underlying Religion (2007) with Clinton Minnar. This book is a survey of central perennialist ideas and authors. Dr Lings contributed the following essays to various World Wisdom books:
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Clinton Minnaar
Clinton Minnaar was born in Namibia (formerly South West Africa) in 1972. An early attraction to contemplative spirituality saw him travel to the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe in search of religious, cultural, and historical sites of interest. His encounters with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, coupled with a deep interest in Eastern religions, saw him complete undergraduate studies in Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and English. Further graduate studies included an MA on the Perennialist school of comparative religious thought, and a teaching degree with specialties in English and Religious Studies. For more than a decade he has combined these specialties in editing books on world religions for adults, teens, and children. Clinton Minnaar lives with his Argentinean wife in Bloomington, IN.
The Underlying Religion (2007) was co-edited by Martin Lings and Clinton Minnaar.
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Reviews
- Perennialist/traditionalist thought strives for a unity that transcends each individual religion and its unique doctrines. This look at primordial religion edited by the late Lings (Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources) and Minnaar, a professional editor in the field of religious studies, is an anthology of 25 essays of the leading 14 exponents of sophia perennis: Frithjof Schuon, René Guénon, Ananda Coomaraswamy, and Titus Burckhardt, to name a few (there are biographical notes on all). . . . The authors discuss Truth, Prayer, Virtue, and Beauty in a way that crosses cultural, linguistic, and ethnic boundaries . . . [and] go deep into an esoteric and mystical realm most readers rarely get the opportunity to visit. This insightful and amazing glimpse into Eastern thought as interpreted by Eastern and Western scholars deserves second and third readings. Recommended for academic and public libraries.
Library Journal, review written by Gary P. Gillum
- Twenty-five essays by fourteen leading authors of the ‘traditionalist’ school of comparative religious thought are provided in Martin Lings’ last book on Perennial Philosophy, and makes this a top pick for any comprehensive spirituality library. Its essays reflect the foundations of perennialist thought and is intended as a basic introduction to the philosophy and spirituality of the movement: as such it’s a powerful foundation pick for any serious discussion of the topic.
Midwest Book Reviews
- The Underlying Religion brings together compelling essays by the most authoritative exponents of the sophia perennis in our time — a veritable light in the darkness for those seeking the unchanging principles at the heart of all integral traditions.
Professor Harry Oldmeadow, La Trobe University Bendigo, and author of Traditionalism: Religion in the Light of the Perennial Philosophy and Journeys East: 20th Century Western Encounters with Eastern Religious Traditions
- I do not know, and cannot even imagine, a better book [than The Underlying Religion] to introduce the reader to the most profound incursion into the understanding of religion that has appeared in modern times. I am speaking, of course, of the Perennialist position.
Dr. Huston Smith, Professor of Religion and Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, Syracuse University
- It is a magnificent and important book. The various contributions powerfully advance the ideas of the perennial philosophy.
Dr. William Stoddart, author of Sufism: the Mystical Doctrines and Methods of Islam
- It is the notable distinction of this anthology — intended as an introduction to the perennial philosophy — to have been selected and prefaced by one of the great masters in the field, a task which Martin Lings completed shortly before his death. As he himself tells us, recalling a Sufi poem, what is here offered — “to those in the Tavern” — constitutes in essence “an altogether transcendent Wine.” One can only wish that this Wine will inebriate all who come to partake of it!
Professor Wolfgang Smith, author of Cosmos and Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief and The Wisdom of Ancient Cosmology
- The Sword of Gnosis, edited by Jacob Needleman in 1974, was instrumental in introducing the perennialist perspective to the English-speaking world. This new anthology has the depth and breadth to become the next classic of the kind. Spanning the range of perennialist generations, the editors have provided us with a carefully collected set of essays that cover all the fundamental grounds of traditionalist thinking.
Patrick Laude, author of Singing the Way: Insights in Poetry and Spiritual Transformation
- By its very nature the perennial philosophy is demanding and difficult of access, and even an introduction to the subject will therefore require much of the student. This thoughtfully constructed propaedeutic reduces that requirement as far as possible, but without in any way compromising the integrity, or reducing the luster, of the truths presented. Selections from several of the world’s most authoritative perennialists have been carefully chosen to lead the attentive reader, step by step, from a diagnosis of the ills of his condition to the very doors of initiation.
James S. Cutsinger, author of Advice to the Serious Seeker: Meditations on the Teaching of Frithjof Schuon
