The Perennial Philosophy

By: Aldous Huxley

Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies

"The Perennial Philosophy," Aldous 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.

©1945 Aldous Huxley (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This collection indicates the evolution of Huxley's thinking...A book for a religio-philosophical market, for mystics, [and] for students of eastern thought." ( Kirkus)

Must Read

This is a must-read for people of all faiths. It has the solution for all our maladies.

One of the most impactful books I ever read

The defining of the perennial philosophy and the trek thru history of all examples of the quest for truth and the realization of the unitive consciousness has given me a sense of groundedness and rest that I have not found in many of the great spiritual books I
have enjoyed through the years. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is open to the truth and has been confused by many writers who have said their path is the only way. The perennial philosophy helps us see the essential truths in the many great Christian mystics and sages from the east.

A Journey, NOT a religious Encyclopedia.

The book's main idea is that there is a universal truth underlying diverse religious traditions, this is an ancient concept, predating Huxley by centuries, if not millennia. The book is unveils an accumulation of quotes and insights into a wide variety of religions and religious quotes, and practices. It feels like the author was trying to find the places where all spirituality meets in reality, feeling wholeness and goodness.

It's not a religious encyclopedia, it's more of a religious and spiritual buffet, you know, food for thought.

However, I can also understand that from an ethnic, or cultural point it seem a bit too much to be making so many rich and ancient belief systems so simple. Again, it's not an encyclopedia.

I loved the book. If I live long enough, I'll read it again someday.

Great book. It's still relevant.

Amazing work still relevant and viable. There's some dated thought but it captures the mind soul and personality to think deeply about what it means to be human and where the divine spark comes from.

Never More Needed

This is a demanding but essential book. It is thoughtfully and beautifully narrated, best appreciated by stopping and thinking often about what has just been said. If you make it through, you’re likely to buy a hard copy to keep by your bedside.

The density of specific references to the many spiritual traditions—which is the book’s greatest strength—requires an attentive listener willing to think and then ask, “What now can I do with this understanding?”

Written in the midst of a world war that must have seemed a complete upending of wisdom and order, 75 years later it still resonates because we now know that human failing, on a global scale, is more the rule than the exception. Our wars are more violent, our technologies more abundantly able to hurt as to help, and our indifference more deadly.

Today’s ubiquitous social and other media mean that we are more aware of our inherent human failings than ever before. This awareness brings a heaviness of spirit for which the traditions of the perennial philosophy offer an antidote. This is the main point Huxley makes over and over again.

The perennial philosophy assures us that within and across religions, we can see our own actions and their impact on the ones we love and the broader world with greater clarity and understanding. We can then choose to act in ways that bring lasting peace to ourselves and others.

Arguably, the stakes for finding this peace have never been higher, and, so, this book has never been more essential.

Do yourself a favor

Quite possibly one of the finest books ever written which of course is a grand statement. Masterfully weaving the common threads of the world’s great religions and philosophy into one cohesive - and sometimes breathtaking - narrative.

Deeply engaging

A thoughtful and engaging journey through time pondering spiritual philosophy. The book has its limitations, especially in its limited understanding of the Christian faith. But, its most glaring deficit is the almost total dismissal of what Huxley dismissing called “savage or primitive” spiritual traditions. This is clearly a deep prejudice on his part and a failure to seriously consider the depths of native traditions.

A unified path to the divine ground of all things

an amazing book of truths shared across history by the mystics and visionaries of the source.

Cross Cultural Mysticism

A beautiful synopsis of world mysticism using highly trusted sources and many of the great religious texts and personalities.

What a great combination

It almost feels like the words and the reader were meant for one another. What an exquisite fit and flavor mr. Davies gives to mr. Huxley’s prose. Deeply relevant.