The Essential Seyyed Hossein Nasr (Perennial Philosophy) Paperback – June 1, 2007

The book is well written and gives strong arguments against the nature of modern understanding of reality, including the damage reductionist thinking has brought forth. Reductionism has limited mankind and narrowed its view to a very limited understanding of the universe. With all things considered, the book doesn’t acknowledge the damage organized religion has done to the rational mind in the past and continues to bring rigidity and intolerance. While a need to acknowledge consciousness is required in the modern world, humanity needs rationalism in a balanced state. Pure reductionism is no different than blind faith, in which a limited set of rules define the understanding of the cosmos.

In trying to understand the Islamic faith I have found Dr. Nasr's philosophical and spiritual writings full of wisdom and enlightenment. This book has been worth every careful moment of reading and striving to understand his spiritual perspectives and what they have to say to me and my search.

A fresh perspective to Islamic studies through his knowledge of philosophy, cosmology, science and spirituality.

Excellent.

This is an absolutely beautiful book. Although it might be called a primer, it is deep and rich and filled with sentences that make you stop and ponder and contemplate the wonders of the inward and outward aspects of the Divine. The chapter on love and beauty alone is pure gold. What I also liked about Dr. Nasr's narrative is his respect and appreciation for other mystical traditions, both East and West. His is no narrow view. I am a Jungian analyst by profession, but an amateur Sufi, amateur meaning one who does something for the sheer love of it. This book has deepend that love.