- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins Canada / Adult Mm; New edition edition (Jan 10 1994)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0006547338
- ISBN-13: 978-0006547334
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 458 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
This reissue, in Huxley's centenary year, illustrates his belief in a universal truth. Beneath the revelations of all the great world religions, the teachings of the wise and the holy of all faiths and the mystical experiences of every race and age, Huxley believed in a basic unity of belief.
About the Author
Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) is the author of the classic novels Island, Eyeless in Gaza, and The Genius and the Goddess, as well as such critically acclaimed nonfiction works as The Devils of Loudun, The Doors of Perception, and The Perennial Philosophy. Born in Surrey, England, and educated at Oxford, he died in Los Angeles.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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First Sentence
"IN STUDYING the Perennial Philosophy we can begin either at the bottom, with practice and morality; or at the top, with a consideration of metaphysical truths; or, finally, in the middle, at the focal point where mind and matter, action and thought have th" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
"IN STUDYING the Perennial Philosophy we can begin either at the bottom, with practice and morality; or at the top, with a consideration of metaphysical truths; or, finally, in the middle, at the focal point where mind and matter, action and thought have th" Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beyond Partisan Beliefs,
By
This review is from: Perennial Philosophy (Paperback)
This classic compendium of cross-cultural mystical references, entertainingly and informatively fleshed out by the author of Brave New World and Doors of Perception, is a welcome reference for anyone curious about serious, accessible literature on the nature of the eternal, the timeless, and the one--mysticism in a positive sense. It is peculiar in some respects: Huxley believes in the efficacy of magic (~morphic resonance); he is convinced that Hinduism and Buddhism are intrinsically less violent world views than the great monotheisms (based on their history); and he uses some strange, and slightly fuddy-duddy phrases, such as "poverty of spirit" to designate a positive condition. He emphasizes the necessity of including spirit along with body and mind in any complete description of humanity. Some of the strangeness of this work to the modern reader owes to its datedness; it was written in 1944, and Huxley is clearly hugely disenchanted with the nationalistic politics that have been tearing the world apart. Some of the strangeness owes to Huxley's vocabulary which, like any mystical vocabulary, must be oblique. Nonetheless, it would be difficult to imagine a more useful, diverse, or erudite compendium of mysticism in a work of this size. I was delighted and surprised to see that he even referenced Alan Watts, who only came into his own as a writer decades later, but was already analyzing, in more technical works, eastern philosophy such as Zen. The basic idea of the philosophia perennis, or perennial philosophy, is that nirvana and samsara, time and eternity, the individual and the cosmos are one. This insight is described as advaita in Hinduism, annata in Buddhism, and (though perhaps less clearly) the union of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Christianity. Islamic mystic Jallaludin Rumi wrote poems about it, and Zen banned reading of sacred works to foment it. Huxley, like Watts, thinks Jesus was a misunderstood mystic; J.C.'s main difference seems to be that he staked his life on the essential nonduality of himself and the universe, barely flinching along the way. Huxley would no doubt be thrilled to see the veritable scientific proofs of the cross-cultural insights collectively termed the perennial philosophy in experiments such as those by Alain Aspect, explained by "ontological" quantum theories such as those of David Bohm. He would not, however, be happy to see the present slide back toward medieval-style religionizing in the name of partisan beliefs and blood politics.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not for atheists,
By
This review is from: Perennial Philosophy (Paperback)
_The Perrenial Philosophy_ is a masterpiece of English literature - one of the most important books of the twentieth century written in our language. It is the ultimate introduction to all forms of Eastern philosophical and religious thought. But it is more than just an introduction; it is a comprehensive and exhausting crash course in Eastern religion. This book is an indispensible guide to improving the quality of life simply through a change in attitude. There is an unreal amount of information crammed into this volume. It is in fact a "bible" of sorts. If our society were to be annihilated in some sort of catastrophe, and only one book were to survive for the remaining people to discover, this book would probably be the most advantageous one they could find. It may not be the most profound book ever written, but it is extremely valuble because of the amount and variety of historical information conveyed. It provides wisdom from the viewpoints of dozens of important philosophers and religious thinkers, and reads like some kind of greatest-hits albulm. There are other works that may be more modern and far-reaching, and others that may be more unique and individualistic. But the _Perrenial Philosophy_ accomplishes exactly what it set out to do, which is catalogue and explain profound quotes from a wide variety of great thinkers. Some readers might have preferred that Huxley interject more of his own ideas, but if you want to benefit from the wisdom of dozens of great authors without having to buy each one of their books (if they're even available), then I highly recommend that you buy this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Father and I are One.,
By Butch (From the American Heartland.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Perennial Philosophy (Paperback)
One reason Huxley titled this anthology The Perennial "Philosophy" was out of respect for the various religious traditions of the world. To suggest, as some of my fellow reviewers have, that Huxley had something up his metaphysical sleeve is to fail to see the forest for the trees. Philosophy is nothing if it is not the right to question anything. You and I have a right to our opinion, a keystone of Freedom-Religious, and otherwise. Huxley respected personal freedom. If you don't like his book, fine. To suggest Huxley had some sinister motive here is, in my opinion, a mistake. What Huxley was trying to do, and quite admirably I might add, was to share with the reader the fact that the mystic tradition is fundamental within all of the world's great religions. That there is a universal mystical experience that transcends the differences we might otherwise have. That our religious founders had more in common than we might suppose. That we have more in common than we might suppose. That we should cherish the essential while respecting our differences. One caveat. I am not preaching toleration for tolerations sake here. Nor do I believe was Huxley. We each need to make our stand. Some choose to make a stand for universal brotherhood. Some choose to stand for a chosen few. Some choose to stand alone. We can make such a personal choice without demonizing others, for it does not matter what we believe if we do not have love in our heart. I believe, as I believe did Huxley, that we are all God's children, made in the image of God. That we are both physical and spiritual beings. That God is Love. That is my kind of Philosophia Perennis.
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