The Sword of Gnosis: Metaphysics, Cosmology, Tradition, Symbolism

by Jacob Needleman (Editor)

The Sword of Metaphysics, Cosmology, Tradition, Symbolism (The Penguin metaphysical library) [May 30, 1974] Needleman, Jacob

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Esoterica, Metaphysics

Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Jacob Needleman is Professor of Philosophy at San Francisco State University, former Visiting Professor at Duxx Graduate School of Business Leadership in Monterrey, Mexico, and former Director of the Center for the study of New Religions at The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He was educated in philosophy at Harvard, Yale and the University of Freiburg, Germany. He has also served as Research Associate at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, as a Research Fellow at Union Theological Seminary, as Adjunct Professor of Medical Ethics at the University of California Medical School and as guest Professor of Religious Studies at the Sorbonne, Paris (1992).

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series of essays on mans' essential relationship with God and with existence itself. The collection is itself a work of art, crafted from some of the most profound authors who represent, broadly, the Abrahamic religions and Buddhism. The essays - because they discuss metaphysics - can be logical masterpieces. Most importantly, they discuss the motivation to exist (or for existence) to serve universal principles such as Goodness and Love. And in this respect there are deeply humbling insights. This is true particularly in the writings of one Islamic scholar (who's name doesn't come now to mind as I write) and Marco Pallas writing after the First World War on Buddhist metaphysics.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays from theologians who in one way or another propound the philosophy of Perennialism. The authors are scholars writing for other scholars so there were many times that I found myself shaking my head and feeling way, way out of my league, but there were also more than a few bursts of insight to be had which quite validated the struggle.

[Debra Ramage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is priced between $40.00 and $1000.00 by online sellers at Amazon, ABE, e-Bay etc. Consensus price seems to be $75.00 . This is the Arkana edition which is older and worth more than the Penguin. There is no e-book version. See online sellers for cover art.

[Nathaniel Raymond]

Weiners horny for religion arguing how not knowing stuff is important and that science is bad. Woof. How to Tie a Rosary was interesting ish.