Advice to the Serious Seeker: Meditations on the Teaching of Frithjof Schuon [Paperback]

James S. Cutsinger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Suny Series, Western Esoteric Traditions | Publication Date: March 31, 1997

Two books in one, Advice to the Serious Seeker is an introduction for scholars to the perennialist school of comparative religious philosophy and at the same time a guidebook for the general reader who is looking for intellectually serious but accessible answers to questions about the spiritual life. Scholars will find a comprehensive introduction to the work of Frithjof Schuon, the leading contemporary figure in the perennialist or traditionalist school of comparative religion. Written by James S. Cutsinger, one of the world's foremost academic authorities on the perennial philosophy, the book provides a detailed commentary on the full range of Schuon's spiritual writings. But the book is also intended for inquisitive and searching readers in general. Composed in a style that is simple and conversational, it reads as an open letter to the author's students. The aim is to cut through the banality of much that passes for spiritual instruction today and to provide intellectually serious but accessible answers to questions typically posed by cynics and skeptics, conservative believers, and persons attracted to the so-called "new age" religions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James S. Cutsinger is Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Thought at the University of South Carolina. His previous work includes The Form of Transformed Vision: Coleridge and the Knowledge of God. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (March 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791432505
• ISBN-13: 978-0791432501
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #292,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lamp on the path, January 2, 2005

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Dust on the Path - See all my reviews

This review is from: Advice to the Serious Seeker: Meditations on the Teaching of Frithjof Schuon (Paperback)

Once a while you stumble on a book that has the right signs to help you further on a path of knowledge. I discovered and benefited tremendously from this book while trying to understand and intend to follow a path for purification of soul. It helped me introduce to Frithjof Schuon's writings in simple language and also brought to me metaphysical discipline in a straight forward vocabulary. Although, this book is written with a Christian reader in mind, I (a Muslim) still benefited by relating most of the discussion while keeping Islamic and Sufi symbolism in mind.

Dr. Cutsinger approached this book by addressing several fundamental questions that one can expect from a curious mind (who has received the blessing to start to hear the Call) and he did a good justice in answering these throughout the book. He also kept various audiences (e.g., skeptic, serious seeker) in mind while explaining metaphysical view-points very clearly.

I am looking forward to read his next book on Prayer (based again on Frithjof Schuon's writings). I felt a test of writings of Seyyed Hossein Nasr (who has also written several books on similar topics but more from Sufi and Islamic view-point) while reading this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the journey, December 23, 2002

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matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Advice to the Serious Seeker: Meditations on the Teaching of Frithjof Schuon (Paperback)

I do not have anything to add to the card catalogue description of the book, available above. I only want to say that for those friends of mine who have read the book a few times, they have all been helped on a deep level to think more clearly about the nature of faith and religion. Truly it is above all a relationship with a living person (or three!).

I would also recommend "Every Branch In Me", which bulids upon the same themes found in this book. Enjoy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book before embarking upon Schuon's writings, August 22, 2009

By 

Abdul H. Saad - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Advice to the Serious Seeker: Meditations on the Teaching of Frithjof Schuon (Paperback)

I have read Cutsinger's book and found it a truely heart-opening, spiritual experience. Cutsinger, an Orthodox Christian, is also a metaphysician who understands the reality of things. His book thus speaks perennial truth beytond any particular tradition or school of thought. I, as a Muslim, found the book to exude truth in every page.

Cutsinger provides a comprehensive summary of the metaphysical teachings of Frithjof Schuon. Schuon's works are, to the uninitiated, dense and difficult to read. Cutsinger provides a good introduction to Schuon. The book will loosen many mental knots and open the mind to new realities which can make reading Schuon's works more profitable. Think of this book as a commentary on the teachings of Schuon-written by a scholar who guides you step by a step in what is a very personal journey (reading this book felt this way to me).

Cutsinger writes beautifully. His book fills an extremely important need in the modern world where the writings of Schuon are likely to be shunned by readers used to reading junk material for quick consumption. Buy the book, it will be a treasure to pass on well after you depart. A wonderful primer to the beauty that is the sophia perennnis.