Paths to Transcendence

Sign In . Don't have a World Wisdom ID? Sign Up

Memories (video clips) of Martin Lings by Michon and Petitpierre

Spiritual Poetry

Quranic perspective on the nature of man: Video clips of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf

Where to look to "see God Everywhere"?

William C. Chittick explores "The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi"

The Universal Spirit of Islam: Keys for Interfaith Understanding

Martin Lings: Video Clips on his Early Spiritual Influences

Paul Goble's World: Native Americans' relationship to all created beings

The Sacred Worlds Series

Noble Faces, Strong Voices: Exploring "The Spirit of Indian Women"

Slideshows


What is the Perennial Philosophy?

"Here is a major landmark in comparative metaphysics. The universality of spiritual realization through knowledge is rendered apparent with a rare combination of analytic rigor and depth of synthesis.
—Patrick Laude, Georgetown University

slide 5 of 9

This groundbreaking book is the first to compare and illuminate the doctrine of the Transcendent Absolute. It discusses the implications of the Transcendent Absolute both conceptually and experientially, in the spiritual perspectives of three towering figures in the history of world religions. Shankara, Ibn ‘Arabi, and Meister Eckhart represent the metaphysical and mystical summits of Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.

“…Given the immense importance of these figures within their respective traditions, close scrutiny of their perspectives should yield valuable insights into the ultimate spiritual attainments conceived and realized in the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian traditions… Shankara, Ibn Arabi, and Meister Eckhart have been chosen as appropriate subjects for this study inasmuch as both the conceptual and experiential aspects of transcendence figure prominently in their articulated writings and discourses.”
—Reza Shah-Kazemi