Frithjof Schuon Archive

It was in the time of my youth —one wanted to make of me A reasonable gentleman,involved in everyday things;But I dreamt of India,of temples and dancing girls,And brahminsmeditating on Om.The clever ones failed completely —But Om graciously thought of me.

Sincerity — the most beautiful adornment of the soulBefore God and men. It containsHumility and generosity, wisdom and love of truth —It is an open door to the soul’s salvation.Sinceritas — of what art thou made?Of God’s Spirit, that watches over all.

If one gives free play to thinking,The specter of preoccupations rushes in;One did not summon it. So turn to faith —And see how quickly it heals the soul’s illusion.The evil one wants to show thee what oppresses thee —The heart’s faith convinces with silence.

The starting-point must often be a criticism —For the false can provide a key to the true;One can clearly see the True and the GoodWhen one must be angry over something bad.We must admit it, and we do so gladly:Even the false is good for something.