René Guénon PERSPECTIVES ON INITIATION Trandate by Henry DFohr edited by Samuel DFobe Sophia Peennis Ghent, NYConTEeNTS éitorial Note xu Preface 1 ‘The initiate & Mystic Paths 7 Magic & Mysticism 13 Various Ereors Concerning initiation 37 CConeltions for Initiation 2a Invatic Regularity 28 Synthesis &Syeretism 37 Against Mixing eaitional Forms 43 Initiate Transmission 48 ‘Taditon & Transmission 36 Initiate Centers 60 Intatic Organizations & Religious Secs 67 Inatic Organizations ¢ Secret Societies 72 The Initatic Secret 84 Iniitic Qualifications 91 Init Rites 109 Rite & Symbol 110 Myths Mysteries, Symbols 5 Symbolism & Philosophy 125 Rites & Ceremonies 130 (Ceremonial Magic 135 Paychie'Power? 41“The Rejection of Powers? 17 Sacraments Initiate Rites 352 Prayer ¢ Incantation 159 Initiale 166 Initiate Death 72 Profane & Initiate Names 76 ‘The Symbolism ofthe Thester 182 “Operative &Speculaive’ ay Effective Viral Initiation 195, IniiticTeching 297 ‘The Limits ofthe Mental 205 Initiatic Knowledge & Profane‘Calture” a ‘Academic Mentality -Pscado-Intistion 216 Initiation &Pasivity? a3 Initiation &'Serviee 238 ‘The Git of Tongues 22. Rose.Cross& Rosicrulane 237 Greter & Lester Mysteries 244 Stoetdotal & Royal initiation 0 Some Reflections on Hermetim 255 Transmutation & Transformation 265 ‘Wie Notion ofan Bite 269 “Thelniatie Hierarchy 374 ‘ditional Inflibiliy 279 ‘wo Iniatic Devices 286 ‘Verbur, Lax, & Vita 291 “The Bicth ofthe Avatina 297, Index 301 Epirorrat Note ‘Tia past cenary has witnessed an erosion of ete l= ‘ora vals a well a bling ofthe distinctive characteristics of the work's traditional civilizations, ving rset philosophic and ‘mora relativism, malticlturalism, and dangero ndamenalit reactions. As ealy asthe 19208, the French metapysician René ‘Guénon (886-1951 bad diagnosed thee tendencies and presented wat he bleved tobe the only posible reconiltion of he eg ‘ate alshough apparently conflicting, demands of outward ee- fis forms, xoterisms wi ther esentil core esotran His ‘work are characterized by foundational cigs ofthe modern world coupled wih ell fr iter reform: renewed exami- nation of metaphysics, che ereditonalslences, and symbolism, ‘vith speci ference tthe ultimate unanimity of al pra tr Aitionss and finally call othe work of spiritual realization Despite their wide influence, taslation of Gusnon's works into [English hs so far bee piecemeal. The Sophia Penni edition ie intended il the urgent nee to present them in «moc autho tative and sjstematic form. complete ist of Gutnoa' works given In the order of thei original publication in French, follows this “The present volume fist published athe ose of World Wa is based on a series of erties on initiation orginally writen beeween gpa and9p for Le Vode distr renamed ude Tr ‘tomes Iniatin is presented as exten the tansiision, by the appropriate res of given tradition, ofa ‘spiel influence ‘This ansmisson i preset bepnning intton) of the sir tual journey ands indispensable for he one who wishes to embare ‘ona spiritual way. The works unique in pving a comprehensive account bt ofthe conditions af nition and of the characte tics of organizations qualified to transmit and hs led to some controversy reguding the distinction it draws betwee the iiatic