Perennial Philosophy Paperback – August 29, 2015
by Arthur Versluis (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 26 ratings
See all formats and editions
Kindle
from AUD 9.62
Read with Our Free App
Audible Logo Audiobook
AUD 0.00
Free with your Audible trial
Paperback
from AUD 6.59
1 Used from AUD 6.59
5 New from AUD 29.09
In this lucid explanation of perennial philosophy, Arthur Versluis reveals this tradition—so often described as esoteric and inaccessible—to be closer to our interests and experience than many of us have realized. Versluis has distilled an immense amount of scholarship into this small volume, but its brevity is deceiving. Like the culmination to any alchemical work, _Perennial Philosophy_ is a powerful tincture that—once imbibed—transports receptive readers to a world in which they are part of a spiritual hierarchy that links heaven to earth. Arthur Versluis has distilled an immense amount of scholarship to produce a disarmingly accessible, lucid, and deeply penetrating study of the great philosophic traditions that underlie Western culture. Versluis concisely explains what perennial philosophy is and what it isn’t. The clarity of his prose makes this deep book a pleasure to read. A remarkable achievement!
—Gregory Shaw, author of _Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus_
*****
This brilliant little book, written with stunning clarity, offers an entirely new perspective on what “perennial philosophy” actually means and entails. This is a return to the real philosophical quest, almost entirely forgotten by the academic world: a going beyond the limited self, to experience our kinship with the greater world and the deepest levels of reality, which results in a transformation of the self and a realization of our human nature.
For anyone interested in the roots of our philosophical tradition, or what a living philosophy could look like today and in the future—a philosophy that actually inspires and fertilizes culture, art, and human experience—this book is indispensable.
—David Fideler, author of _Restoring the Soul of the World_ and other books and essays.
*****
This book is about transcendence: self-transcendence. It traces a pathway to such self-transcendence from Plato (Pythagoras and the Orphic mysteries), through Plotinus, Damascius, Meister Eckhart and Emerson.
_Perennial Philosophy_ unveils a contemplative way often referred to as “ mysticism” that leads to a selfless, compassionate caring for all existence, from the animate to the inanimate, since all that exists expresses divine creation.
The book has no footnotes and yet is scholarly. It records a perennial way of being-in-the-world that contrasts sharply with the way most of us live and see, and is about a past that offers glimpses of a better future. To read it is to question the contemporary understanding of who we are, and what we are capable of becoming. It is medicine for difficult times.
—Robert E. Carter, Trent University, author of _Encounter with Enlightenment_, _The Kyoto School_, and many other books.
******
This book is colloquial and conversational. It presents an overview of Platonism from the master himself to Emerson in the context of contemporary debates. The author is a devoted Platonist, and his presentation of their doctrines is perfectly orthodox, above all in the absolute priority he gives to intellectual vision, the Vision of the Good. This emphasis alone is a huge achievement. The book is remarkable also for its generosity of tone. To the enlightened eye, no doubt, everything is full of Being. But it is difficult to maintain at all times that warm dispassion which takes the whole world under its wing. The author achieves this simply through the quality of his discriminations. So sharp and apt are the distinctions he makes between competing contemporary doctrines the book is continually illuminating and never tendentious. This reader was forever saying “Ah!”
—Roger Sworder, LaTrobe University, author of _Mathematical Plato_, and _Science and Religion in Archaic Greece_ as well as _A Contrary History of the West_
Read less
Report incorrect product information.
Print length
126 pages
-----
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Arthur Versluis holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has published numerous books and articles. Among his books are
_Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esotericism_ (Rowman Littlefield, 2007), _The New Inquisitions: Heretic-hunting and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Totalitarianism_ (Oxford UP, 2006), _Restoring Paradise: Esoteric Transmission through Literature and Art_ (SUNY: 2004); _The Esoteric Origins of the American Renaissance_ (Oxford UP: 2001); _Wisdom's Book: The Sophia Anthology_, (Paragon House, 2000); _Wisdom's Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition_ (SUNY: 1999); and _American Transcendentalism and Asian Religions_ (Oxford UP, 1993).
His family has owned a commercial farm in West Michigan for several generations, and so he also published _Island Farm_, a book about the family farm and about family farming in the modern era.
Product details
Publisher : New Cultures Press; 1st edition (August 29, 2015)
Language : English
Paperback : 126 pages
-----
#5,672 in Mysticism (Books)
#7,515 in New Age Mysticism (Books)
#9,347 in Religious Philosophy (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars 26 ratings
-----
Customer reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Top reviews from the United States
Deluxe
4.0 out of 5 stars Versluis keeps improving...
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
After several years of reading Versluis and becoming a bit disenchanted, have recentlry had my interest re- ignited by an interest in Platonism and theurgy. I choose this book as the beginning of a three part excursion back into Versluis' writings-this book to be followed by Restoring Paradise and Platonic Mysticism. So far I am not disappointed. Look for updates in reviews the other two books.
6 people found this helpful
---
Joseph L. Kolb
4.0 out of 5 stars interesting book
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2009
i really enjoyed versluis' book. he delves into the history of magic while discussing technique of ritual. he discusses alchemy, astrology, the symbolism of the alter and other aspects of magical practice. he discusses alchemy as the purification of consciousness and awareness. he also mentions the importance of religion as it is tied into magic. he keeps a modern perspective on the subject which i like. my only complaint about the book is the writing style. his sentences are very long and cumbersoome. reminds me of gurdjieff's writing. versluis needs a better, or stronger editor to tell him to cut his sentences in half. a good book nevertheless.
8 people found this helpful
-----
Auset
5.0 out of 5 stars The true description of magic
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2011
This book holds a deep esoteric truth, and clarrifies that with multiple examples. That truth is this, magic is the means to relization of self as part of the one. Magic is not a means of putting a spell on anything for personal power and ego, nor is it a means to create the philosophers stone, which in itself is ego. The book hold deep esoteric truth for those who want to transend their ego using the western mystery traditions thereby to become the true master. This volume is quite short will not take you all the way there but it is a great start.
It is a very good explanation of basic magical tools and why they are used and a list of further reading at the back to go on from this introductory volume. I recommend this book if you want to read the truth.
6 people found this helpful
----
Top reviews from other countries
I. Freeborn
5.0 out of 5 stars I found it very easy to read yet highly profound and thought-provoking and it ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is the first serious book of wisdom I read, during my teenage years. I probably found it in the local library. I found it very easy to read yet highly profound and thought-provoking and it set me on a path of deeper understanding as a fellow mystic and philosophical explorer. Thank you Mr Versluis!
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse
gavin mercer
===
Robert rated it it was amazing
A great little book. Ideal for beginners to the topic but without lacking depth. Enjoyable and very informative.
The book is inspiring from both historical and spiritual perspectives. The section on art is a real gem.
===
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Truth Devour
Truth Devour
05-05-2020
Thought Provoking
Perennial Food for thought. I really enjoyed the book. it's not for the faint of heart. You need to truly listen and sometimes re-listen to the concepts being conveyed.
Was this review helpful for you?
Helpful
Report this
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for squirrel-entertainment
squirrel-entertainment
23-05-2016
Extremely interesting and mind boggling
If you are curious about life and the possible meaning of life, this book is for you. I was looking for a book on Pantheism and came across this by fluke. A lucky fluke. loved it!. listening to it again for the 5th time nust to take it all in.
---
Robert
Aug 27, 2018Robert rated it it was amazing
A great little book. Ideal for beginners to the topic but without lacking depth. Enjoyable and very informative.
The book is inspiring from both historical and spiritual perspectives. The section on art is a real gem.
flagLike · comment · see review
Vern
Aug 22, 2021Vern rated it it was ok · review of another edition
I could not connect with this author. I sensed too much axe-grinding.
