The Essential Rene Guenon Metaphysical Principles, Traditional Doctrines, and the Crisis of Modernity

by Herlihy, John; Lings, Martin

• ISBN13: 9781933316574
• ISBN10: 1933316578
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-15
• Publisher: World Wisdom

Summary

A prolific writer and author of over 24 books, Rene Guenon was the founder of the Perennialist/Traditionalist school of comparative religious thought. Known for his discourses on the intellectual and spiritual bankruptcy of the modern world, symbolism, tradition, and the inner or spiritual dimension of religion, this book is a compilation of his most important writings. A key component of his thought was the assertion that universal truths manifest themselves in various forms in the world's religions and his writings on Hinduism, Taoism, and Sufism are particularly illuminating in this regard.

Author Biography

Rene Guenon (1886-1951) was one of the founders of the Perennialist or Traditionalist school of comparative religious thought. In a time of unquestioning belief in the dogmas of progress and evolution, Guenon issued a devastating critique of the modern world. A pioneering philosopher and orientalist, he also provided the intellectual keys for a reclamation of the West's spiritual riches through an exposition of the Eastern metaphysical doctrines.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. xvii
The Modern World
The Dark Age	p. 3
Sacred and Profane Science	p. 16
A Material Civilization	p. 28
Introduction to The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times	p. 43
Quality and Quantity	p. 52
The Postulates of Rationalism	p. 57
The End of a World	p. 63
Civilization and Progress	p. 68
The Metaphysical World
Eastern Metaphysics	p. 77
What is Meant by Tradition?	p. 93
Essential Characteristics of Metaphysics	p. 97
Metaphysical Realization	p. 105
Sanatana Dharma	p. 108
Some Remarks on the Doctrine of Cosmic Cycles	p. 117
Foundation of the Theory of the Multiple States	p. 124
The Realization of the Being through Knowledge	p. 128
The Hindu World
On the Exact Meaning of the Word "Hindu"	p. 135
Perpetuity of the Veda	p. 140
The Law of Manu	p. 144
Principles Governing the Institution of Caste	p. 149
Yoga	p. 154
General Remarks on the Vedanta	p. 158
The Vital Center of the Human Being: Seat of Brahma	p. 171
The Degrees of Individual Manifestation	p. 179
Buddhi or the Higher Intellect	p. 183
Final Deliverance	p. 187
The Traditional World
Kabbalah	p. 197
The Symbolism of the Grail	p. 201
Islamic Esoterism	p. 206
Taoism and Confucianism	p. 212
Rite and Symbol	p. 226
The Symbolism of Weaving	p. 231
The Sword of Islam	p. 237
The Heart and the Cave	p. 243
Initiatic Affiliation	p. 248
True and False Spiritual Teachers	p. 260
Conclusion to Introduction to the Study of the Hindu Doctrines	p. 264
Biography of Rene Guenon	p. 275
The Works of Rene Guenon	p. 283
List of Sources	p. 285
Biographical Notes	p. 287
Index	p. 289
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