Frithjof Schuon

Frithjof Schuon (June 18, 1907 - May 5, 1998) is a metaphysician, poet, painter and a leading figure of traditional metaphysics.

God is in the center, all paths lead to Him

The traditionalist or "perennialist" perspective began to be enunciated in the West at the beginning of the twentieth century by the French philosopher Rene Guenon and by the Orientalist and Harvard professor Ananda Coomaraswamy. Fundamentally, this doctrine is the Sanatana Dharma--the "eternal religion"--of Hindu Vedantists. It was formulated in the West, in particular, by Plato and later Neoplatonists, by Meister Eckhart (in the West) and Gregory Palamas (in the East) in the Christian world, and is also to be found in Islam with Sufism. Every religion has, besides its literal meaning, an esoteric dimension, which is essential, primordial and universal. This intellectual universality is one of the hallmarks of Schuon's works, and it gives rise to many fascinating insights into not only the various spiritual traditions, but also history, science and art.

Related Topics:
Twentieth century - Rene Guenon - Orientalist - Ananda Coomaraswamy - Sanatana Dharma - Vedantist - Plato - Meister Eckhart - Islam - Sufism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The dominant theme or principle of Schuon's writings was foreshadowed in his early encounter with a Black marabout who had accompanied some members of his Senegalese village to Switzerland in order to demonstrate their culture. When the young Schuon talked with him, the venerable old man drew a circle with radii on the ground and explained: "God is in the center, all paths lead to Him."

Related Topics:
Marabout - Senegal - Switzerland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~