Frithjof Schuon: Life and Teachings (S U N Y Series in Western Esoteric Traditions)

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Summary: A Masterful Examination of the Teachings of F. Schuon
Review: Frithjof Schuon, a Sage if there ever was one, taught a Doctrine called the 'Transcendent Unity of Religion'. The perspective which informs this Doctrine can be called either traditional-perennialism or perennial-traditionalism, as opposed to simply `traditionalism' or `perennialism'. Distinguishing these two terms is very important because each of these terms represent complimentary poles of the complex organism called religion. Schuon teaches 'traditionalism' because the myriad religious traditions issue from the transcendent Reality for the sake of fallen Man in a myriad of social-historical circumstances, and he teaches 'perennialism' because in principal Truth is not bound by Its traditional manifestations even though Truth is made accessible most readily through traditional forms. In a way these two poles also deal with Substance and form, and from a more nuanced perspective Substance and accident. So 'traditionalism' is importance in that it safeguards and honors the tried and tested systems which provide Man with access to the Real, and 'perennialism' is important in that Truth cannot be exhausted by these systems and can even be accessed through lesser known paths that branch off of and intersect with the well known paths. 'Perennialism' pertains to that aspect of religion which is living, organic and flexible, adapting to the needs of the age without betraying itself; 'traditionalism' pertains to the revealed paths as they have been maintained and codified by earlier generations. This is why Schuon was at once a Sufi Shaykh, a Shaman, a Vedantist, a Christian, a traditionalist and a perennialist.
Of course this perspective is seen as controversial from the perspective of 'orthodoxy' because it admits to syncretism and seemingly relativizes the exclusive claims of religious dogma (i.e. the Qur'an is the only reliable Revelation, the Vedas constitute the only reliable holy writ, etc...), and controversial from the perspective of universalists, post-moderns and New Agers because it unflinchingly defends and honors traditional forms and concepts from the attacks of a desacrilized and profanized worldview.
Having said all of this the authors of this work seem to emphasize that aspect of Schuon's teaching which is perennial in tone and focusing on the later part of Schuon's teachings (and the later part of Schuon's life), whereas Martin Lings and Seyyed Hossein Nasr as well as others uphold the aspect of Schuon's teaching which is traditional in tone while of course relegating the more purely esoteric teachings to their private disciples.
This nuance will give the reader of this work a good framework to understand the teachings of Schuon and the Doctrine of the 'Transcendent Unity of Religion'; 'Perennialism' as the Living religion of esoterism and 'traditionalism' as the codified system through which Man assimilates to the Truth. Depending on the needs as understood by the respective authority of this Doctrine either one of these two poles might be employed in arriving at Truth, and this understanding is always secondary to the overriding Doctrine of the 'Transcendent Unity of Religion'. This according to my view.
This work in particular is well written and intellectually stirring, especially the last few chapters which deal with Schuon's teaching on the level of aesthetics and Beauty.
One last note, this work might not be the best place to start if one is interested in reading Schuon, as the later chapters assume a certain familiarity with his teachings already and might be a little weighty for some readers. I would suggest James Cutsinger's `Advice for the Serious Seeker' as an introduction to Schuon's thought.


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Summary: Essential Reading
Review: In the summer 1987 issue of Parabola magazine a reviewer of "The Essential Writings of Frithjof Schuon" mentioned the 'severe intellectual quality of Schuon's writing'. He stated that he would like to have a 'simple' introduction with which to begin the study of Schuon's work. Although "Frithjof Schuon: Life and Teachings" is not a work which can be read without serious concentation and reflection, neither is it exclusively for the academic specialist. It should be of great interest to both the spiritual seeker and the scholar endeavoring to better understand Schuon's philosophy.
This is the first biography of Schuon since his death in l998, and it includes a detailed history of the events which shaped his life, as well as two penetrating essays which explore in depth virtually every key theme in the Schuonian opus. This work is especially useful in terms of distinguishing and clarifying Schuon's relationship with Guenon, Sufism, and the Plains Indian Sun Dance religion. Also, it sheds much light upon the distinction between esoterism and tradition, religio perennis and syncretism, and the significance of beauty and celestial femininity which are important dimensions of Schuon's perspective.
Given the access Aymard and Laude had to previously unavailable oral and written sources, as well as their masterful knowledge of Schuon's published works, this book -- alongside James S. Cutsinger's "Advice to the Serious Seeker: Meditations on the Teachings of Frithjof Schuon" -- must now be considered primary and essential texts for all interested readers.