Frithjof Schuon Archive

For Frithjof Schuon, esotericism is the inside or core of religion, whose outside or shell is exotericism. This book is a treasure trove of what esotericism means from the metaphysical principle and in terms of realization through the spiritual path. It contains chapters on metaphysics, cosmology, anthropology, aesthetics, and art, as well as insightful glimpses into the symbolism of various traditions.
The contents include a profound metaphysical reflection on the double face of the world through the concept of the veil, insights into lore-based cosmology through a doctrine of numbers, and basic and practical essays on anthropology: virtues, sexuality, love of God and love of neighbor. Chapters on aesthetics and art as well as revealing insights into the traditions of the North American Indians and into the essence of Islamic Sufism round out the book.
Frithjof Schuon (1907-1998) is widely regarded as one of the most important writers on the philosophy of religion in the 20th century. He possessed an extraordinary insight into the religious traditions of mankind, was able to penetrate the diversity of phenomena to their depths and express his insights in masterly, often poetic language. He is considered the leading representative of that school of thought called “Sophia perennis,” “Philosophia perennis,” or “Religio perennis” (i.e., perennial wisdom, perennial philosophy, or perennial religion), which contains the timeless principles, valid everywhere, that underlie the various teachings, the allegories, the sacred art, and the spiritual exercises of the world religions.
“Frithjof Schuon was one of the foremost metaphysicians and visionaries of the 20th century, and his brilliant writings penetrate extraordinarily deeply into the meaning and message of humanity’s great religions and sacred traditions. ‘Esotericism as Principle and as Way’ is among his most important works. It is therefore wonderful news that this important book is appearing for the first time in his native language, German. May this translation make the precious teachings of this extraordinary, typically German philosopher and metaphysician better known in his native land.”
(Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Prof. at George Washington University, author of The Cognition and the Sacred)