Customer Reviews

The Underlying Religion: An Introduction to the Perennial Philosophy

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a summary and has emphasis on the common bond that underlies the strength and power of all religions. It also forms the basis of the depth that is found in religion and value of its traditions for all cultures. It has a great depth that shows us how the common virtues of wisdom,justice,compassion, courage, etc. are seen in all religions and that the traditions of all cultures act as a strength and a stabizing force to religious faith. Of course, hatred, irritability, war, rigidity, and lack of acceptance of each other should not be a feature of religion, and such distortions by human nature do not mean that we have to give up the core values of our own religion. It may not be a book for the average reader, because of the verbal excess at times and the theological complexity, but that does not make its topic any less important. It is an important book. It reminds me of the more secular commentary of the Handbook of Character Strengths and Virtues of Martin Seligmen, and books about the truths that are found in mythical symbols by Joseph Campbell. It will also help fervent, faithful thinking Christians, and people of other religions who have an interest in theology and the ultimate reality that(God, Allah, Atman, self-transcendance, Jesus, enlightenment,etc.) is our foundation.

The following summary of the sections in The Underlying Religion were excerpted from a review in the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 2009: "[Section One] describes the hiatus that divides the ...

More sacred orientation of the traditional world from that of the secular and progress driven modern and post-modern world.... [Section Two] underscores the implicit limitations of modern science, its failures and destructive tendencies for not receiving its directives from divine principles utilized since time immemorial in both East and West....[Section Three] gives a clear exposition on what is and what is not integral metaphysics according to the perennial philosophy which has nothing to do with `New Age' spiritualities....[Section Four] contextualizes symbols outside the pale of modern psychology or that of the ``unconscious'' from which they are commonly thought to originate rather than that of their true origin in divinis as are `archetypes'....[Section Five] provides a revision and an expansion, mutatis mutandis of what has been commonly attributed and often wrongly so as the perennial philosophy or the `transcendent unity of religions'. It is through the perennial philosophy that true and authentic interfaith dialogue can precede for both the differences and similarities are taken into account without compromising the integrity of each tradition.... [Section Six] makes it clear that it is incumbent upon anyone on a spiritual path to live within a context of beauty for spiritual support vis-á-vis highlighting the inherent the dangers and pitfalls of not having such an integral milieu....[Section Seven] provides important notes on spiritual guidance, complementing the previous chapters dealing predominantly with that of traditional doctrine."