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Selected Books by
Frithjof Schuon

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A Resource On Frithjof Schuon's Life & Teachings
• Chapters from Books in English — for free online reading
• Articles not published in Books in English — for free online reading
• Interviews in English (transcriptions) — for free online reading
• English Books in Print
• English Anthologies of Schuon’s Work

This on-line library contains articles that were published during Frithjof Schuon’s life. Schuon wrote, “It is my books that constitute my message, and not my articles that I never incorporated into my books, nor my articles as they existed before they were incorporated into my books.” This on-line archive therefore only contains the most up to date versions of his articles and is separated into two different archives to highlight the relative importance that Schuon gave to these writings. The archive titled “Chapters from Books in English” allows readers to focus on what Schuon considered his most essential writings. The archive “Articles not published in Books in English” presents articles that are situated outside the author’s message, but which may, nonetheless, be of some interest to the reader who is already well versed in Schuon’s essential oeuvre.

Chapters from Books in English — for free online reading Holdings: 65 Articles    
The articles posted in this section were published in English language books during Schuon’s lifetime.

 TitleSourceSubjectHTMLPDFExternal Link
"The Question of Protestantism" by Frithjof Schuon appears as chapter 3 of Christianity/Islam: Perspectives on Esoteric Ecumenism, A New Translation with Selected Letters edited by James S. Cutsinger, published by World Wisdom.
The Question of ProtestantismChristianity/Islam: Perspectives on Esoteric Ecumenism, A New Translation with Selected Letters Multiple
“ONE of the abuses indirectly bequeathed to us by the Renaissance is the confusion, in one and the same sentimental cult or in one and the same "humanism," of religion and fatherland: this amalgam is all the more deplorable in that it occurs in men who profess to represent traditional values and who thus compromise what by rights they should defend.” In this article, Frithjof Schuon goes on to examine all the different ways in which passionate, sentimental and ignorant man betrays the true sense of proportion in idolizing his country, his civilization and modern dogma, to the ruin of himself, his religion and other peoples, and in forgetting, all the while, that “my kingdom is not of this world.”
Usurpations of Religious FeelingStudies in Comparative Religion - Vol. 2, No. 2. ( Spring, 1968) Comparative Religion
Using St. Francis of Assisi’s writings, particularly his Laudes, Frithjof Schuon emphasizes the necessary interdependence of such virtues as Simplicity, Wisdom, Charity and Purity. Focusing on the Virgin Mary, both St. Francis and Schuon illustrate the ways in which the collaboration of these virtues opens the soul as a “receptacle of the Divine Presence.” In teaching both submission to God and detachment from the world, they affirm a necessary presence in the world and connection with other people, but without dependence on temporal things and with indifference toward egoism and self-fulfillment. No one can neglect one virtue without tainting all of them, and if one finds complete acceptance of one virtue, then all others are contained within it.
The Spiritual Virtues according to St. Francis of AssisiStudies in Comparative Religion - Vol. 4, No. 3. ( Summer, 1970) Christianity
"Dimension of Prayer" appears in Prayer Fashions Man: Frithjof Schuon on the Spiritual Life selected and edited by James S. Cutsinger, published by World Wisdom.
Dimensions of PrayerPrayer Fashions Man: Frithjof Schuon on the Spiritual Life Metaphysics
This is another of Schuon's informative essays about the nature and necessity of tradition and revelation. It includes numerous aspects of a spiritual tradition and contrasts it with the false promise of modern science and its version of truth.
Tradition and ModernitySample articles taken from the online archive of the journal Sacred Web Tradition
Frithjof Schuon examines the criteria for changing the liturgy – by wishing to preserve its primitive simplicity or by ridding it of redundant accretions from past ages. Schuon explains the possible dangers of trying to return to the origin while ignoring the flowering of the sacred within the tradition over time for “it possesses the intrinsic value of a tangible crystallization of the supernatural.” He points out that the error of today is in seeing in the liturgy something that can be invented and that it must be conformed to “our times.” He also considers the importance of language in the liturgy and what makes one language more sacred than another as well of the error of vulgarization and pedantry.
On The Margin of Liturgical ImprovisationsStudies in Comparative Religion - Vol. 4, No. 4. ( Autumn, 1970) Christianity
By first observing the difference in critical faculty between Eastern and Western thought, Frithjof Schuon considers the use of truisms in religious literature as they affect religious thought and action. The hyperbolic nature of religious writings and truisms contain more than moral lessons particular to a certain faith, but also include implications that relate to a wider realm of faith and belief. The impracticalities of religious teachings, in such parables as the camel passing through the eye of a needle or the spiritual man who is perfect to the point of disappearance speak less about spiritual effort then about the Divine existence. The tendency in religious practice to interpret these sayings as literal is derived from a tendency toward intellections and therefore results in religious moralism. Schuon explores the balance between this intellectualism and more typically Eastern thought.
Oriental Dialectic and its Roots in FaithStudies in Comparative Religion - Vol. 5, No. 1. ( Winter, 1971) Comparative Religion
"Outline of the Christic Message" appears in The Fullness of God: Frithjof Schuon on Christianity Selected and Edited by James S. Cutsinger, published by World Wisdom.
Outline of the Christic MessageThe Fullness of God: Frithjof Schuon on Christianity Christianity
"The Particular Nature and Universality of the Christian Tradition" appears in The Fullness of God: Frithjof Schuon on Christianity selected and edited by James S. Cutsinger, published by World Wisdom.
The Particular Nature and Universality of the Christian TraditionThe Fullness of God: Frithjof Schuon on Christianity Christianity
"The Quintessential Esoterism of Islam" appears in Sufism Veil and Quintessence: A New Translation with Selected Letters by Frithjof Schuon, published by World Wisdom.
The Quintessential Esoterism of IslamSufism Veil and Quintessence: A New Translation with Selected Letters Islam
"Diversity of Revelation" appears in Gnosis, Divine Wisdom: A New Translation with Selected Letters by Frithjof Schuon, published by World Wisdom.
Diversity of RevelationGnosis, Divine Wisdom: A New Translation with Selected Letters Metaphysics
"Modes of Prayer" appears in Prayer Fashions Man: Frithjof Schuon on the Spiritual Life selected and edited by James S. Cutsinger, published by World Wisdom.
Modes of PrayerPrayer Fashions Man: Frithjof Schuon on the Spiritual Life Metaphysics
"'Selections' from Songs for a Spiritual Traveler" is extracted from Songs for a Spiritual Traveler: Selected Poems by Frithjof Schuon published by World Wisdom. Note: This is a bilingual German/English Edition.
"Selections" from Songs for a Spiritual TravelerSongs for a Spiritual Traveler: Selected Poems by Frithjof Schuon Poetry
"The Spiritual Virtues" appears in Spiritual Perspectives and Human Facts: A New Translation with Selected Letters by Frithjof Schuon, published by World Wisdom.
The Spiritual VirtuesSpiritual Perspectives and Human Facts: A New Translation with Selected Letters Metaphysics
"Selections from Songs without Names Vol VI" has been extracts from Songs without Names: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes I-VI by Frithjof Schuon, published by World Wisdom
Selections from Songs without Names Vol VISongs without Names: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes I-VI Poetry
"Selections from Songs without Names Vol. VII" is extracted from Songs without Names: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes VII-XII by Frithjof Schuon, published by World Wisdom.
Selections from Songs without Names Vol. VIISongs without Names: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes VII-XII Poetry
“Selections from World Wheel Vol. IV” is extracted from World Wheel: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes IV-VII by Frithjof Schuon, published by World Wisdom.
“Selections from World Wheel Vol. IV”World Wheel: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes IV-VII Poetry
"Selections from World Wheel Vol. I" is extracted from World Wheel: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes I-III by Frithjof Schuon, published by World Wisdom.
Selections from World Wheel Vol. IWorld Wheel: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes I-III Poetry
Given the fundamental importance of art both in the life of a collectivity and in the contemplative life, Schuon reveals the fundamental distinctions between sacred and profane art. This important article opens new vistas in the understanding of the relationship between art, symbolism, and the spirit.
Principles and Criteria of ArtLanguage of Self; also Castes & Races; also Images; also Art from Sacred Art
From Schuon's book Light on the Ancient Worlds, this essay defines the central traditionalist concept of the religio perennis and then explains how this universal concept fits with the existence of the separate religions.
Religio PerennisThe online library of articles at religioperennis.org Comparative Religion
From Schuon's book "Form and Substance in the Religions," this essay explores how Muslims view sacred history, and Muhammad's place in it, as well as how the Prophet can be both humble human and exalted manifestation of the Logos at the same time.
Insights into the Muhammadan PhenomenonForm and Substance in the Religions (2002); also in Dimensions of Islam (1970) Islam
In this short piece, Frithjof Schuon relates the mutual respect shown between a Cheyenne holy man and the Jagadguru, who, though they never met, were able to perceive the holiness of the other through photos. In addition, Schuon makes some comments on the "unity of the primordial Sanatana Dharma, and notes that "in prayer all earthly differences such as space and time are transcended," as evidenced by the incidents he shares with us.
His Holiness and the Red Indianthe web site of the Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Comparative Religion
In this excerpt from a longer chapter, Schuon begins his examination of the place of the Quran in Islam by providing insights on, first, its form, and then on the principles determining that form. He summarizes general principles regarding all sacred scriptures and how these are manifested in the religion of Islam. Schuon then turns to three aspects of the Quran: its doctrinal content, its narrative content, and its “divine magic or its mysterious and in a sense miraculous power.”
Extract from "The Quran and the Sunnah"Understanding Islam: A New Translation with Selected Letters Islam
Frithjof Schuon states that "in order to understand the nature of the Bible and its meaning, it is essential to have recourse to the ideas of both symbolism and revelation. Without an exact and, in the measure necessary, sufficiently profound understanding of these key ideas, the approach to the Bible remains hazardous and risks engendering grave doctrinal, psychological, and historical errors." So that the scripture might retain "all its vitality and all its liberating power," Schuon's essay explains the critical points of the Bible's use of symbolism and its sacred origin.
Keys to the BibleStudies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 1, No. 1. ( Winter, 1967) Christianity
In this article Schuon discusses the role of the spiritual master by drawing from various religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. He uses these traditions to examine the role and authority of the spiritual master in regard to the disciple. The symbolism of the spiritual master is also discussed here using the Hindu terms of Being, Consciousness and Bliss. According to Schuon the master provides the disciple with a “spiritual existence” and a doctrine that he would not otherwise have. Schuon also makes the point that a spiritual master may not “unveil totally” or make completely clear the truth that he understands. Finally, the author points out that the term “spiritual master” is a broad one, and includes a range of people who are not necessarily equal to each other.
Nature and Function of the Spiritual MasterStudies in Comparative Religion - Vol. 1, No. 2. ( Spring, 1967) Comparative Religion
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Articles not published in Books in English — for free online reading Holdings: 3 Articles    

The articles posted in this section were not published in English language books during Schuon’s lifetime.
 TitleSourceSubjectHTMLPDFExternal Link
In this article, which never appeared in any of his books during his lifetime, Schuon examines at multiple levels the traditional Sufi ternary of Fear-Love-Knowledge as the three dimensions or stations of the Sufi path. They are viewed in universal terms, applicable to the human being in general, and as "vocational" tendencies for various spiritual temperments, and then as successive degrees in a seeker's spiritual development.
The Three Dimensions of SufismStudies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 10, No. 1. (Winter, 1976) Multiple
These remarkable meditations were recorded by Frithjof Schuon during a trip to North Africa in 1963. The thoughts are aphoristic and in a voice not frequently found in his metaphysical writings.
Travel MeditationsStudies in Comparative Religion, Vol. 14, Nos. 1 & 2. (Winter-Spring, 1978) Multiple
Coming from the same source as this Archive’s editor Thierry Béguelin’s Preface to “Towards the Essential: Letters of a Spiritual Master” (i.e. a pdf of front matter, the Preface, and some excerpts of letters), clicking this pdf link will take readers to the first nine pages of the section “Letters to Christian Correspondents.” These letters are a small but representative sample of Frithjof Schuon’s tone, as well as the the vast range of topics he addressed, in his correspondences to people from all over the world.
Excerpts of Schuon Letters from “Towards the Essential: Letters of a Spiritual Master”“Towards the Essential: Letters of a Spiritual Master” (The Matheson Trust, 2021) Multiple
 3 entries (Displaying results 1 - 3) View Jump to: Page: [1] of 1 pages
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Interviews in English (transcriptions) — for free online reading Holdings: 2 interviews    

 TitleSourceHTMLPDFExternal Link
Frithjof Schuon: Questions and AnswersQuest Magazine, Summer, 1996, 74-78
The following is a revised English translation of a series of interviews carried out by Jean Biès with Frithjof Schuon in Pully, Switzerland, in July 1967, September 1968 and August 1971. Schuon, the foremost authority on the perennial philosophy and traditional wisdom, revised and shortened the text presented here shortly before his death.
Frithjof Schuon: A Face of Eternal Wisdom"Sophia", Vol. 4, No. 2, 1998
 2 entries (Displaying results 1 - 2) View Jump to: Page: [1] of 1 pages
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English Books in Print Holdings: 28 Books
Eye of the Heart, The
From the Divine to the Human: A New Translation with Selected Letters
Garland, The (Poems)
Images of Primordial and Mystic Beauty
In the Face of the Absolute: A New Translation with Selected Letters
Language of the Self
Play of Masks, The
Road to the Heart : Poems
Stations of Wisdom
Survey of Metaphysics and Esoterism
To Have a Center: A New Translation with Selected Letters
Transfiguration of Man, The
Understanding Islam: A New Translation with Selected Letters
Form and Substance in the Religions
Roots of the Human Condition
Gnosis: Divine Wisdom, A New Translation with Selected Letters
Spiritual Perspectives and Human Fact: A New Translation with Selected Letters
Christianity / Islam: Perspectives on Esoteric Ecumenism, A New Translation with Selected Letters
Logic and Transcendence: A New Translation with Selected Letters
Autumn Leaves & The Ring: Poems by Frithjof Schuon
Adastra and Stella Maris: Poems by Frithjof Schuon
Songs without Names: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes VII-XII
World Wheel: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes I-III
World Wheel: Poems by Frithjof Schuon Volumes IV-VII
The Trancendent Unity of Religions
(published by Quest Books)
Sufism: Veil and Quintessence: A New Translation with Selected Letters
Light on the Ancient Worlds: A New Translation with Selected Letters
Esoterism as Principle and as Way: A New Translation with Selected Letters

Readers may click on any cover to see more information about each book, including a short description, table of contents, book reviews, excerpts, and selected chapters, on the web site of the publisher, World Wisdom.


English Anthologies of Schuon’s Work Holdings: 11 Books


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