Frithjof Schuon (Switzerland, June 18, 1907 – USA, May 5, 1998) was a Swiss metaphysician and spiritual master of German descent, belonging to the Perennialist or Traditionalist School of thought [1]. He was the author of more than twenty works in French on metaphysics, spirituality, the religious phenomenon, anthropology, and art, which have been translated into English and many other languages. He was also a painter and a poet [2].
Frithjof Schuon's work is based on the doctrine of the projection of the archetypes ab intra; thus his position on the origin of mankind is that of classical emanationism – in the Neoplatonic tradition, original man was not a simian creature barely capable of speaking and standing upright; he was a quasi-immaterial being enclosed in an aura still celestial, but deposited on earth; an aura similar to the "chariot of fire" of Elijah or the "cloud" that enveloped Christ during his ascension [3].
Schuon's teachings emphasize reverential fear and love for God [2]. He believed in the beauty of spiritual life, the importance of sacred art, and the necessity of a spiritual path, which includes esoterism, metaphysics, symbolism, wisdom, knowledge, prayer, holiness, virtue, and revelation [1][3][4].
Schuon's work has been translated into multiple languages, including English [2]. His writings have been published by World Wisdom, an independent publisher of books on esoteric spirituality and metaphysics [5]. Schuon's letters have also been compiled in a book titled "Letters of Frithjof Schuon: Reflections on the Perennial Philosophy" [6].
In addition to his written works, Schuon is known for his paintings and poetry [2]. He has discussed his perspective on metaphysics and spirituality in various interviews and lectures, including a YouTube video titled "Frithjof Schuon discusses his perspective on metaphysics and the nature of being" [8].
References: [1] Frithjof Schuon - Wikiquote. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2023, from [2] Frithjof Schuon. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2023, from [5] About World Wisdom. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2023, from [8] Frithjof Schuon discusses his perspective on metaphysics and the nature of being. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2023, from