Search on Religioperennis.org the Web Powered by FreeFind

Notice: This page is no longer maintained.

In the face of the 2008 communal violence in India, the spokesman for the Shankaracharya of Dwarkapith and Jyotispith has issued a statement calling for inter-religious dialogue.

Metaphysics. Cosmology. Tradition. Symbolism STUDIES IN COMPARATIVE RELIGION The First English Journal on Traditional Studies - established 1963

2007 marks the start of the 26th year for Studies in Comparative Religion, which is now located in Bloomington, Indiana and sponsored by World Wisdom.

Studies in Comparative Religion was founded in Britain in 1963 by Francis Clive-Ross (1921–1981) and is the first and most comprehensive English-language journal of traditional studies. The journal was published under the name Tomorrow until 1967, when it was changed to its present name. Four quarterly issues per year, containing over 1,200 articles in total, were published during the first 25 years of Studies in Comparative Religion’s existence, before its publication was interrupted in 1987. William Stoddart served as the assistant editor for most of these years.

F. Clive-Ross clearly explained the journal’s goals in his introduction to the first issue:

Studies in Comparative Religion is devoted to the exposition of the teachings, spiritual methods, symbolism, and other facets of the religious traditions of the world, together with the traditional arts and sciences which have sprung from those religions. It is not sectarian and, inasmuch as it is not tied to the interests of any particular religious group, it is free to lay stress on the common spirit underlying the various religious forms.
One of our primary aims is to meet the need for accurate information created by the now world-wide interest in the question of “ecumenical relations” between the great religions, by providing a forum where writers of proven authority can exchange views on various aspects of religious life, doctrinal, historical, artistic and mystical, not forgetting the element of personal experience and reminiscence.
By collecting accurate information about the great religions under their many aspects and rendering them available to interested readers we feel we are fulfilling a very pressing need of our time and also contributing in a practical manner to the cause of inter-religious understanding. If there is to be an effective measure of this understanding at any level this can only be on the basis of accurate presentation both of teachings and facts. An ill-informed benevolence is no substitute for genuine insight, based on information that is neither willfully distorted nor confined to the surface of things.
In this manner we think that we are best serving the interest of our readers in their search for truth.

The overall goals of the journal remain as they were originally stated more than forty years ago by F. Clive-Ross. This second phase includes both an on-line and a paper journal.

For more information

Sacred Web 20: Special 10th Anniversary issue of Sacred Web on Frithjof Schuon

Editorial: “Standing Unshakably in the True”:
A Commentary on the Teachings of Frithjof Schuon
by M. Ali Lakhani
Drawing from Frithjof Schuon’s poetry in the World Wheel series to illustrate his teachings, the Editorial provides a commentary on his teachings under the Schuonian schematic of Truth-Prayer-Virtue-Beauty.

Primordial Meditation: Contemplating The Real
by Frithjof Schuon
Translated by Gillian Harris and Angela Schwartz
Sacred Web is honored to present the first English translation of this important work—the only book by Frithjof Schuon previously unpublished in English. The book, originally published in German in 1935 (when Schuon was 28 years old) under the title “Leitgedanken zur Urbesinnung”, is the first formal exposition of a primordial worldview based on Schuon’s extraordinary spiritual insights recorded in his notebooks between the ages of 21 and 28, and presented here in four separate collections—a remarkable testament to his spiritual genius.

A Portfolio of Photographs of Frithjof Schuon
Sacred Web is indebted to the Estate of Frithjof Schuon to permit it to publish this portfolio of photographs of the great metaphysician, whose striking appearance was a reflection of his extraordinary nature.

Four Poems in Memory of Frithjof Schuon
by Barry McDonald
Barry McDonald, who was privileged to know Frithjof Schuon, was encouraged by him to write poetry. Now, on the occasion of Schuon’s birth centenary, McDonald has produced a selection of four poems dedicated to his patron’s memory and inspired by his teachings.

Beauty and the Sense of the Sacred:
Schuon’s Antidote to the Modern World
by Michael Fitzgerald
Drawing largely on Schuon’s own words, and accompanied by a selection of images that illustrate Schuon’s teachings about Beauty and the sense of the Sacred, this is the text of a presentation delivered at the Sacred Web Conference on “Tradition in the Modern World,” held in Edmonton at the University of Alberta, September 2006. [The full audio-visual presentation by Michael Fitzgerald is available on the Conference DVD through www.worldwisdom.com.]

Quintessential Esoterism and the Wisdom of Forms:
Reflections on Frithjof Schuon’s Intellectual and Spiritual Legacy
by Patrick Laude
This essay surveys Schuon’s nuanced teachings about the hierarchies of form in the context of his metaphysical explanation of the architecture of reality. Patrick Laude writes: “(T)he notion of form reveals an undeniable richness and complexity in Schuon’s works. It bears witness both to the liberty of the Spirit that ‘burns’ forms to reduce them to their essence, to the Eckhartian breaking of the shell that is a requirement for reaching the core, but also to a keen awareness of forms as testifying to degrees of reality, and therefore necessary elements of sacred mediation and balancing wisdom”, opening the way “to an inner transcending of forms on the secure ground of a keen discernment of formal qualities”.

“Made in the Image”:
Schuon’s Theomorphic Anthropology
by Timothy Scott
Commencing from the traditional viewpoint of Man’s theomorphic nature in which Universal Man is made in the Divine Image, this essay proceeds to survey Schuon’s key teachings related to this anthrolopgy, focusing on three topics: the tensions between man’s divinity and animality, the symbolism of the sexes, and Schuon’s primordial understanding of nudity. The essay emphasizes the underlying connection between the theomorphic nature of Man, as represented by the human body, and the theocentric purpose of human existence: the “remembrance” of Man’s essential nature through the unifying vision of the Intellect.

The Milk of the Virgin:
The Prophet, the Saint and the Sage
by Renaud Fabbri
This essay explores certain misunderstandings about Schuon’s position: was he a prophet (instituting a new transcendent religion or primordial message), a saint (some have portrayed him as a Muslim saint operating within the structures of Sufism), or, as the author contends, a sage (based on the Platonic or Hindu model)? Emphasizing the Marian foundation of his teachings, the author argues that Schuon is best understood as being a paracletic spokesman of the sophia perennis and a shakta.

Note on Contributors

A Word of Appreciation

For more information

Announcement of new La Trobe University journal & call for articles

The Philosophy and Religious Studies discipline at La Trobe University, Bendigo, announces the launch of Eye of the Heart, a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal in the field of Traditional Philosophy and Religious Studies.



Call for articles:

Eye of the Heart is seeking original scholarly articles. There are no thematic constraints; however, as part of the early development of the journal we are seeking articles that will clarify and defend key traditional methodologies, such as Hermeneia (Greek), Nirukta (Hinduism), Lectio Divina (Christian), and Kabbalistic practices such as gematria, notariqon, and temura. Other areas of interest include: Metaphysics, Theology, Philosophy, Cosmology, Mythology, Symbolism, Sacred art, Religious forms, the Spiritual Life, and the Sophia Perennis.

Eye of the Heart welcomes articles from scholars, academics, post-graduates and students. Articles that satisfy the peer-review process will be recognised as such; articles that do not fit the academic criteria for peer-review but are deemed of value will be published under a non peer-reviewed category.

Proposals or letters of query can be directed to editor:
Dr Timothy Scott
Arts Program
La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199,
Bendigo 3552, Australia
Tel: +61 3 5444 7243
Fax: +61 3 5444 7970
Email: t.scott@latrobe.edu.au

For more information

Please display and/or distribute our flyer: Eye of the Heart (PDF)

The four new volumes of Frithjof Schuon's poetry in English

	World Wisdom is honored to publish these beautiful 4 volumes in English:   Songs without Names Volumes I-VI , Songs without Names Volumes VII-XII , World Wheel Volumes I-III and World Wheel Volumes IV-VII   Although these books are January 2007 titles, they are available now and amazon.com is offering a very special rate.  For more information ...

Hans Kury, Mort et renaissance spirituelle

Préface (p. 5) Première méditation: Du Jugement (p. 11) Causes extérieures du doute de la survie après la mort et de la croyance en cette survie (p. 13) – De la situation de l’homme sur la terre (p. 17) – De la Parole divine (p. 21) – Tradition et immortalité de l’âme (p. 25) – Parole divine et Jugement (p. 27) – Temps et Jugement (p. 31) – Du Paradis et de l’Enfer (p. 34) Deuxième méditation: De la résurrection de la chair (p. 39) Revêtement en corps humains des puissances lumineuses et ténébreuses (p. 41) – Corps et connaissance de soi (p. 45) – De la résurrection de la chair (p. 49) – Le corps humain et l’Homme Universel (p. 53) – Image et réalité du Jugement (p. 55) – De la sacralité du corps (p. 58) – Du corps paradisiaque et infernal (p. 63) Troisième méditation: Signes terrestres du ciel (p. 71) De l’unité du Rêve cosmique (p. 73) – Du secret des choses extérieures (p. 76) – Des symboles des états posthumes (p. 78) – Des animaux comme messagers de l’Au-delà (p. 79) – Individualité et essentialité (p. 82) – Les animaux comme révélateurs du mystère (p. 86) – Beauté et signification (p. 95) – Animal et Tradition (p. 98) – La Parole de Dieu dans la Création (p. 102) Quatrième méditation: L’âme en transmigration (p. 107) Des âmes pauvres (p. 109) – Degrés de la nostalgie de Dieu (p. 111) – Du paradis des animaux, des végétaux et des minéraux (p. 113) – Centralité (p. 117) – De la transmigration des âmes (p. 119) – De la grâce de l’extinction (p. 128) – Cercle et enroulement vers l’intérieur (p. 130) – Tradition et Satan (p. 135) – De la puissance de la religion (p. 140) – Du joyau de la misère (p. 142)

Hans Küry (1906-1987) Mort et renaissance spirituelle Le message secret de la nature Editions Les Sept Flèches Traduit de l'allemand par Ghislain Chetan Broché, 148 pages, 18 x13 cm ISBN 2-9700325-0-3 (22 septembre 2006) Lire des extraits Acheter ce livre

Charles Upton, the System of the Antichrist

The System of Antichrist examines the present religious and cultural scene from the standpoint of traditional metaphysics and critiques the New Age spiritualities within their postmodern context. Its many references to René Guénon and Frithjof Schuon also help introduce these important but little-known ‘traditionalist’ thinkers. The book presents lore relating to the ‘latter days’ of the present cycle from the vantage point of comparative religion, drawing upon relevant doctrines from Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and the Native American traditions. It also speculates upon the social, psychic, and spiritual nature of that being known to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as the Antichrist, presenting him as both an individual and a system and warning those willing to be warned against the spiritual seduction and terror he represents, and against the regime which will be-and is-the social expression of that seduction and that terror. Finally, in tracing the roots of Antichrist in the fallen nature of man, the author sketches the particular quality of spirituality proper to apocalyptic times, the dangers it faces, the unique opportunities open to it. And along the way he describes his own course from the ‘spiritual revolution’ of the 1960s, through the world of New Age spiritualities, to the threshold of traditional esoterism and metaphysics. As he says, speaking of the angst that characterizes the modern world: ‘The specific medicine for the shock of despair is the deeper shock of meaning. Nothing but the weight of eternity, breaking through the thin, brittle shell of the postmodern sky, can set us on our feet.’

Charles Upton The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age Sophia Perennis (2001) Charles Upton is also the author of Cracks in the Great Wall, Legends of the End and The Virtues of the Prophet.

Une voie soufie dans le monde: la shadhiliyya

L'espace égyptien, où la voie soufie des Shâdhilis a vu le jour, est riche des sanctuaires de ses trois premiers maîtres : Abû l-Hasan al-Shâdhilî, Abû l-`Abbâs al-Mursî et Ibn `Atâ' Allâh. La Shâdhiliyya, fondée au XIV siècle, a pourtant une origine maghrébine. En effet, Ibn Mashîsh, l'ermite du Rif marocain, transmit son "secret" à son unique disciple, al-Shâdhilî, qui hérita également d'Abû Madyan, le saint de Tlemcen. Voie royale au Maghreb et au Proche-Orient, la Shâdhiliyya s'est diffusée dans une grande partie du monde musulman. Profondément ancrée dans les sources scripturaires de l'islam, elle a attiré maints oulémas de renom. Elle dispense un enseignement initiatique dense, et a su expliciter celui d'Ibn `Arabî, si controversé en milieu exotériste. Fruit d'un colloque qui s'est tenu à la Bibliothèque d'Alexandrie, cet ouvrage suit la Shâdhiliyya dans ses développements doctrinaux et son extension spatio-temporelle. La voie est présente depuis près d'un siècle en Occident, et a entraîné dans son sillage des intellectuels tels que René Guénon, qui contribuent, de nos jours encore, à faire connaître le patrimoine soufi universel.

Une voie soufie dans le monde: la shadhiliyya Edited by Eric Geoffroy, Maisonneuve et Larose (decembre 2005)

Fabrice Midal, L'esprit de la chevalerie

Fabrice Midal has recently published a book on spiritual knighthood and modernity.

	Le chevalier incarne le dépassement de soi et une spiritualité qui repose sur l'excellence. Mais pouvons-nous aujourd'hui encore vivre cette voie héroïque ? La chevalerie n'est-elle pas une institution dépassée, sexiste, violente, exclusivement aristocratique ? Fabrice Midal montre que, au contraire, les vertus et aspirations caractérisant l'idéal chevaleresque pourraient s'avérer précieuses pour notre société. Il nous explique comment cette notion de chevalerie a été vécue et pensée par les Celtes, les Grecs, les troubadours du Moyen Age. Puis, il confronte ce vaste héritage aux défis de notre temps démocratie, mondialisation de l'économie, déracinement, difficultés d'un engagement dans la cité..., et rappelle comment divers grands témoins du XXe siècle (Saint-Exupéry, Simone Weil, René Char...) y ont trouvé des ressources fécondes. Enfin, il donne des clés pour permettre à chacun de tendre, à chaque instant de sa vie, vers cet idéal. Fabrice Midal trace ainsi les contours d'une chevalerie des temps modernes fondée sur l'authenticité, le courage, le souci de l'excellence et l'engagement, pour le bien de tous.
L'esprit de la chevalerie : Des atouts pour l'homme moderne Presses de la Renaissance (2 juin 2005)

His last book on Buddhism will be released on March 26th 2006:
Quel Bouddhisme pour l'Occident ? Sueil, Paris, 2006

To read a complete list of his publication, visit his personal website: http://www.fabrice-midal.org/

La Collection BA-BA

Les Editions Pardès publient la collection BA-BA de découverte des religions et de la spiritualité.
Pour plus d'informations, vous pouvez contacter les Editions Pardès, 44 rue Wilson – 77880 Grez-sur-Loing, France
Tél. : 01 64 45 67 23 Fax : 01 64 45 67 25
Diffusion DILISCO

Chant Gregorien	Chiisme	Coran	Croix	Heraldique	Islam
Mythologie Celtique	Shinto	Soufisme	Symbolisme Celtique	Symboles	Tradition Celtique

Complete List of Publications from Sophia Perennis featuring 19 new titles and 13 upcoming titles

The Collected Works of René Guénon is now complete, in both paper and cloth; 20% discount for the whole set: $377.48 [£263.56]; for Perfect Bound; $660.68 [£430.72] for Trade Cloth; inquire via perennis@taconic.net

The long-awaited title René Guénon: Some Observations by Frithjof Schuon is now available
The Simple Life of René Guénon by Paul Chacornac has been reprinted:
the definitive biography, including photographs and original drawings
Upcoming: the final, authorized edition of The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi

Available retail through www.sophiaperennis.com, www.amazon.com,www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.co.uk

Bookstores: 20% discount for under 5 copies, 40% thereafter;
Libraries: 20% discount.

Order through Ingram, Baker & Taylor or Bertram Books -- or inquire via perennis@taconic.net

The complete List of Publication from Sophia Perennis

Copyright© 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 Religioperennis. Nothing on any of the pages of this website may be reproduced in any fashion except by written permission of the webmaster or/and the authors of the articles displayed.
Paintings by Frithjof Schuon are displayed by courtesy of World Wisdom. Copyright© 2000 Frithjof Schuon.

Access to Webmail