THE PERENNIAL PHILOSOPHY

by Aldous Huxley ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 1945

A collection of excerpts from the religious writings of the last 2500 years which illustrate the Perennial Philosophy and which have been chosen for their ""intrinsic beauty and memorableness"". Arranged topically, these passages are connected by a commentary which expands, and where necessary, elucidates. This collection indicates the evolution of Huxley's thinking as it has gone from extreme negation to extreme ascetic faith. Here is the ultimate reality as apprehended by the ""pure in heart and poor in spirit"", by sages who were saints as well, by mystics rather than professional philosophers. The religions of the East, China, Persia, India predominate perhaps. The composites of the Perennial Philosophy include the eternal self, the Absolute Ground of Existence, personality and saintliness, renunciation of self, the omnipresence of God, good and evil, penance and grace, charity and truth, self knowledge, salvation and deliverance, prayer and ritual, spiritual exercise, as conceived by the highest transcendental thinkers. A book for a religio-philosophical market, for mystics, for students of eastern thought, rather than for the more orthodox religious market.

Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1945

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1945

Categories: NONFICTION