The perennial philosophy

Examines well-known works on Western mysticism and the writings of Asian and Muslim mystics to provide an overview of the "Philosophia Perennis." Includes a "P.S." with a brief biography of Huxley and an article "Belief" which was not included in the original publication.

An inspired gathering of religious writings that reveals the "divine reality" common to all faiths, collected by Aldous Huxley. "The Perennial Philosophy," Huxley writes, "may be found among the traditional lore of peoples in every region of the world, and in its fully developed forms it has a place in every one of the higher religions." With great wit and stunning intellect--drawing on a diverse array of faiths, including Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Christian mysticism, and Islam--Huxley examines the spiritual beliefs of various religious traditions and explains how they are united by a common human yearning to experience the divine. The Perennial Philosophy includes selections from Meister Eckhart, Rumi, and Lao Tzu, as well as the Bhagavad Gita, Tibetan Book of the Dead, Diamond Sutra, and Upanishads, among many others.

Originally published: New York : Harper, 1945.

That art thou -- The nature of the ground -- Personality, sanctity, divine incarnation -- God in the world -- Charity -- Mortification, non-attachment, right livelihood -- Truth -- Religion and temperament -- Self-knowledge -- Grace and free will -- Good and evil -- Time and eternity -- Salvation, deliverance, enlightenment -- Immortality and survival -- Silence -- Prayer -- Suffering -- Faith -- God is not mocked -- Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum -- Idolatry -- Emotionalism -- The miraculous -- Ritual, symbol, sacrament -- Spiritual exercises -- Perseverance and regularity -- Contemplation, action and social utility.