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The Perennial Philosophy  By  cover art

The Perennial Philosophy

By: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies
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Publisher's summary

"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)

What listeners say about The Perennial Philosophy

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Segments in French

Overall a great audiobook one caveat though, whenever the narrator is reading a sentence or a few sentences in French it is completely unintelligible, period. Why pretend to speak French when the narrator has obviously no background whatsoever in the language.
I am a French native and cannot understand a word of what is supposed to be a reading of French philosophers and theologians writings.

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28 people found this helpful

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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.

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Great Content.

This book is full of great insight. The narrator was good but i felt he often read to quickly, sometimes sounded pretentious, and really realllly butchered indian/hindu/sanskrit words. His french and latin sounded amazing though. This audiobook contains amazing , thought provoking truths. I will likely buy the physical book and read at my own pace/leisure to get an even fuller understanding . Overall , this is an excellent book, good narrator, and i definitely recommend it!

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LOVED it! Huge fan of Huxley, this book is why.

I just cannot get enough of Huxley's high brow take on philosophy and this perspective on spirituality. This book is written in an objective tone and critical of the obvious and parallels the contrary for delightful aspirations. Aldous knows how to place harsh next to beauty, and respect for all kinds. Plus his humor is well worth a second read.

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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.

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Wonderful

I wanted to listen to this instructive book, to look for other personal revelations. I found that I needed to keep the book open too. I was often confused where the quote stopped and when A. Huxley began talking. Could be just me.

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Truth dense

“The Perennial Philosophy” is, without a doubt, one of the most truth-dense books I’ve ever read. I’m amazed it’s not more popular. I can’t recommend it enough!

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Distracting narration

I returned this after trying very hard to listen. The narrator has a heavy British accent and reads this book in a repetitive sing-song voice making it impossible for me to absorb the material. I think the material is probably outstanding but I could not get through the distracting narration.

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EPIC!

It's Indescribable how good this book is. It is a must listen to or read for any philosopher!

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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.

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