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Survey of Metaphysics and Esoterism

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This is not an easy book to read, but on the other hand, it was not really written for the general reader. As the author points out, the majority of people are not metaphysicians or pneumatics. In fact, if you do not accept the basic epistemological premise that there are archetypical truths that are intuitively accessible to the Gnostic, then most of the book will make no sense to you. You must accept the existence of pure Intellect and the faculty of the immanent Spirit.

This volume is perhaps the best summation of Schuon's thought- and of the Sophia Perennis. It deals with the underlying nature of creation- from the Absolute to the Infinite, from Transcendence to Immanence. The inner esoteric core of religion is examined from the perspective of both the traditions of "God become man" (Christianity, Ramaism, Krishnaism, and Amidism) and "God as such" (Abrahamism, Mosaism, Islam, Platonism, and Vedantism.) Yet, it is made very clear that this isn't mere "comparative religion."

Schuon states that the artist brings the Divine into the world, the mystic reintegrates the world- his soul- into the Divine. In this volume the author shows that he is both artist and mystic, as well as, Philosopher in the highest sense of those terms.

This book reminded me of Guenon's _Symbolism of the Cross_ and _The Multiple States of Being_. Indeed, it was also originally published as two separate works. The current volume is divided into three parts: The World of Principles, The World of Tradition, and The World of the Soul.

There is one danger to reading such a book- it awakens you to just how trivial almost everything else you've ever read really is....

Frithjof Schuon manages to summarize the basic tenets and ideas that comprise metaphysics and esoteric thought. This is a book for someone who has already read a considerable amount of metaphysical literature or would like to get a solid understanding of what it means. A scholarly study that is by no means an easy read I found it a very well informed and insightful read. Covers metaphysical ideas in all religions and philosophies.

The final chapters of this book are essential reading for any spiritual aspirant. In particular, the chapters "Trials and Happiness" and "Passion and Pride" deal with the most crucial elements of the individual's spiritual quest for the Absolute. As always, Schuon distinguishes himself in being one of the few modern-day spiritual authorities to insist upon the necessity of virtue for any valid path to God, and his understanding of the principles of spiritual realization is unequalled. Anyone seeking guidance from a true spiritual authority of the first rank, should read the final chapters of this book!

Among many outstandingly clear essays, the article on modern psychology and psychoanalysis, "The psychological Imposter", is a must read for anyone interested in discovering one of the root causes of social breakdown, in the modern world.

The article on psychology, " The psychological Imposter", is a must read for any one interested in tracing one of the causes of social and individual problem, in modern times.