Man and His Becoming according to the Vedanta

Doctrine Métaphysique #1

by René Guénon

Man and His Becoming according to the Vedanta is Guénon's central exposition of traditional metaphysics, companion to his other two great works in this genre: The Symbolism of the Cross and The Multiple States of the Being. Guénon held that Hinduism embraces the most ancient, profound, and comprehensive expression of traditional metaphysics we possess, which can in some ways function as a key to every other traditional form, and this work has been called the first reliable exposition of Hindu metaphysics in any Western language. Before Guénon, the West's image of Hinduism was a hodge-podge of translated scriptures lacking traditional commentary, fragments of doctrine reported by Jesuits and other missionaries, random impressions of merchants, imperialists, and adventurers, unreliable Eurocentric constructions of the orientalists, and the fantasies of the Theosophical Society and their ilk. To this day, Man and His Becoming remains one of the best (if not the best) expositions of the doctrines of the Vedanta, an exposition entirely free from the modernizing and Westernizing tendencies that first infiltrated the Indian subcontinent under the British Raj, and have not yet abated. This text is a veritable bible of traditional metaphysics and anthropology. In his Studies in Hinduism and Introduction to the Study of the Hindu Doctines, Guénon treats historical and cosmological aspects of Hinduism in further detail.

Genres: Philosophy, Metaphysics, Religion, Hinduism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Theology

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1925

About the author

René Guénon (1886-1951) was a French author and intellectual who remains an influential figure in the domain of sacred science,traditional studies, symbolism and initiation.

French biography : http://arlesquint.free.fr/rene%20guen...
http://www.index-rene-guenon.org/

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dense but lucid, and beautifully composed despite the apparently dry analytic prose. This book serves as an excellent introduction to Guenon's take on Vedanta and Traditionalist metaphysics at the most abstract level. One of the best features of this book is the multitude of footnotes full of references to a variety of religious and philosophical systems, making it a great key uniting many initiatory and esoteric currents.

[Marko Bojkovský · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genon je težak kao crna zemlja. Pre ove knjige čitao sam srpski prevod "Le symbolisme de la croix" koji je bio izuzetno rogobatan i delovao kao da je za izvor zapravo korišćen engleski prevod.
U ovom slučaju ni engleska verzija ne pomaže mnogo.

OK, Genon je loš pisac i praktično nema niti jedne lepe rečenice, pasusa kod njega koji je zgodan da se pretoči u postere, statuse i tako da se širi i pojeftinjuje širinom sajber okeana. Dosta te rogobatnosti dolazi i iz njegove želje da što jasnije dočara ne toliko kompleksnu, koliko nama stranu indijsku misao, ali i iz grljenja gnostičarskog elitizma, što iako možda na prvu deluje kao loše, zapravo i nije sasvim. Genonoa nije moguće shvatiti na pogrešan način zaista - možete ga shvatiti ili ga ne shvatiti, kako u celini, tako i parcijalno (ako ste iskreni prema sebi). I to neshvatanje nije pitanje intelekta onakvog kako ga mi danas shvatamo, već celokupnog našeg bića (koje opet nije ono što mi shvatamo celokupnošću našeg bića).

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Dodatak, posle drugog čitanja:

Prvo čitanje me je ostavilo delimično posramljenim - jednostavno nisam dosta toga mogao da ispratim.

Povratak ovoj knjizi posle par godina, dosta toga drugoga pročitanog, a daleko bitnije - promišljenog i proživljenog, oživljenog, probuđenog - učinio je moje razumevanje znatno potpunijim, a sam proces čitanja time uživanjem, do one mere do koje nauk drevne metafizike može biti ugodan. I dalje je pre svega, okvirno, druga četvrtina ove studije teška i nerazgovetna, tu se Genon bavi onim prelaznim stanjima između apsolutnog Principa i pojavnog, materijalnog, tvrdog nivoa postojanja. Dok je i prvu odrednicu Principa, Bivstvo, Ishvaru relativno lako pojmiti, kao i upravo izvorni, apsolutni, nemanifestovani princip nazvan Brahmom (imenica srednjeg roda), kao i dalje pojmove poput Prakriti, Purusha, Shiva, Brahma (muškog roda), Vishna, Shakti... ipak negde još niže u univerzalnoj metafizičkoj hijerarhiji, na nivou "suptilne manifestacije" i njene direktne veze sa grubom, telesnom manifestacijom stvari postaju teže.

"Čovek i njegovo postanje prema Vedanti" je vrhunsko metafizičko delo, jedno od onih genonovih koja su i skoro u potpunosti lišena preteranog veličanja istoka na uštrb zapada, kao prevelike mržnje prema modernosti, već je u pitanju destilovana metafizika, čista, prodorna, večna. Sveta nauka. Znanje kojem reč nauk(a) zaista leži, za razliku od za dušu jalovih, sterilnih činjenica savremenog scijentizma.

[Linda McKenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to persist with this book, but I found the language too dense and the writing tiresomely turgid, so gave up halfway through. Despite being moderately well read in Advaita Vedanta, I struggled to make sense of what was being said a good proportion of the time. What was understandable for me made clear that the writer is deeply learned in the subject, and in religion and metaphysics generally. The problem is that he fails in communicating his knowledge and understanding in a lucid way to non-academics, or non-experts. Perhaps the lay person or ordinary spiritual seeker such as myself was never included in his intended audience. Possibly the problem is in the translation.

I note that this book has received many five star ratings, which intrigues me. Since I think I have a reasonable grasp of the English language, I can only conclude that if I can't comprehend the text, even with repeated reading of passages, most others will not be able to either. If the book contains gems of insight then it looks like I'm not destined to uncover them and I'll move on to the next book on my Advaita Vedanta reading list.

[no.stache.nietzsche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guenon's second book on Hinduism. This one is a lot more focused on Hinduism, where as his first- titled as an "introduction", was nearly half comprised of a diatribe against "the West" in favor of Eastern or "normal" civilizations. This one forgoes that position (or assumes it), and simply dives into Guenon's exposition of (what he takes to be) the central tenants of Hinduism, or more specifically the Advaita Vedanta school stemming from Shankaracharya. The book is concise and to the point, if also somewhat "wordy" or overly specific- which tends to be Guenon's style, often disparaged, but stemming from his concern for precision, and to avoid misinterpretation and adding to confusion, rather than dispelling it. Definitely a valuable text, that we will revisit in the future!

[Jacques le fataliste et son maître · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prescindere dalla correttezza dell’analisi culturale condotta da Guénon e dalla sgradevole ipostatizzazione di un oggetto culturale (una particolare corrente di pensiero indiana), quel che fa impressione in quest’opera – una piacevole impressione di unità di design, devo dire – è l’analisi che parte dall’essere umano e dalla sua forma e risale “per li rami” la struttura dell’essere, seguendo analogie, simmetrie ecc. e colmando ogni vuoto in cui si imbatta.
Il risultato dell’operazione è una gemma (probabilmente sintetica) dal taglio complesso e perfetto.
Un saggio della prosa e dell’analisi guénoniane: «‘Veglia, sogno, sonno profondo, e ciò che è oltre, sono i quattro stati di Âtmâ; il più grande (mahattara) è il Quarto (Turîya). Nei primi tre sta Brahma con uno dei Suoi piedi; nell’ultimo, ha tre piedi’. Così, le proporzioni precedentemente stabilite da un certo punto di vista, da un altro punto di vista si trovano invertite: dei quattro ‘piedi’ (pâda) di Âtmâ, i primi tre in base alla distinzione degli stati ne valgono uno soltanto per importanza metafisica, e da solo l’ultimo ne vale tre, nella stessa prospettiva. Se Brahma non fosse ‘senza parti’ (akhanda), si potrebbe dire che soltanto un quarto di Esso è nell’Essere (comprendendovi tutto ciò che ne dipende, vale a dire la manifestazione universale di cui è il principio), mentre gli altri Suoi tre quarti sono al di là dell’Essere. Questi tre quarti si possono concepire così: 1) la totalità delle possibilità di manifestazione in quanto non si manifestano, dunque allo stato assolutamente permanente e incondizionato, come tutto ciò che appartiene al ‘Quarto’ (se esse invece si manifestano, appartengono ai primi due stati; e, in quanto ‘manifestabili’, al terzo, principiale rispetto ai precedenti); 2) la totalità delle possibilità di non-manifestazione (di cui parliamo al plurale solo per analogia, poiché sono evidentemente al di là della molteplicità, e anche dell’unità); 3) infine, il Principio Supremo di queste e di quelle, la Possibilità Universale, totale, infinita, assoluta» (p. 101).

[Tomaj Javidtash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great work and a rigorous study of the Vedanta doctrines about the spiritual evolution, or ascent, of human being. The author bases his exposition on authentic and orthodox scriptures of Hindu tradition, with special emphasis on Advaita Vedanta as expounded by Adi Shankara. Guenon also points to parallels in other spiritual traditions such as Islam, Christianity, Taoism, Buddhism, etc. I recommend this book very much because of its lucidity and importance when it comes to true metaphysics.

[Simone · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the few books I didn't manage to finish, one of the most redundant and presumptuous writing style which completely ruined a very interesting and culturally important topic.

[Shortsman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very niche

[Bobparr · Rating 2 out of 5]

[abbandbato]
Risente senza dubbio degli anni in cui è stato scritto, con le stoccate fin da subito ai teosofi ed agli orientalisti. Libro elitario, che esclude, per la sua complessità, tutti coloro i quali non sono disposti a seguire Guenon nella sua puntuale e densa esposizione. A volte più che densa diventa impenetrabile, e si possono leggere interi paragrafi senza capire assolutamente nulla - almeno, questo è quello che è capitato a me.
Tendenzialmente sterile dal punto di vista pratico e, visto che il tempo è sempre meno, preferisco la fecondità.

[Samuel Gagnon-Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I recommend this truly brilliant work to anyone interested in Vedantic metaphysics, I have to say that it's a bit of a chore. Not for reasons of being too technical, but because the author's unpleasantness bleeds through the pages so pungently that you can feel him breathing down your neck.

"Vedanta" is the school of Hindu thought which proposes the most complete, and to the Western mind, most attractive system of metaphysics in Eastern thought. The first half of this book excellently lays out the most important concepts of Vedanta and paints a quite comprehensible metaphysical system, complete with analogies to Islamic and Enlightenment systems.

And here begins the tedium. The genial author thinks very, very highly of himself. He will often introduce a set of categories and then immediately declare that these categories are not categories, simply because categories are the object of western "philosophy", which is inferior to his enlightened "sacred science". He spends nearly half of every chapter on a polemic against the philosophers, theosophists, and sometimes eastern sages, all of which are clearly less spiritually developed than our ever-humble guru. These polemics are woven so intricately in each discussion that you cannot skip them--you have no choice but to slog through. They are occasionally useful since counterexamples can help to better delineate concepts (i.e. such and such author has misunderstood this concept as X).

All in all, I recommend the first half of this book if you have a serious interest in Vedantic metaphysics, as I have found no other of comparable caliber. I cannot recommend the second half as it is nearly entirely devoted to the author's personal (and obviously infallible) system of symbology, and he refers to his other essays every few sentences without additional context.

[OSCAR · Rating 1 out of 5]

Libro abstruso, que fue insufrible de leer. Una mezcla entre un tratado de metafísica a la hindú y un tratado de ascesis, de "Delivrance", de liberación del individuo; no tanto respecto del medio de alcanzarlo sino del proceso que se vive cuando ocurre aquélla.

Realmente para quién no sepa de nociones básicas sobre hinduismo, el esfuerzo de leer este texto sería realmente arduo. Es más difícil de leer este texto que "El reino de la cantidad y los signos de los tiempos"

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one deals more with the Vedas. I am interested in the Vedas but the previous work was more focused on the Arctic and the Hyperborean. He is listed as a philosopher but the focus is often on the esoteric as well. An obvious recommendation for admirers of Evola and Dugin.

[JV]

Excelente a leitura. A imagem ao final é como a de uma mandala. O único lamento é do leitor saber tão pouco sobre hinduísmo.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Primarily focused on the Hindu religion and the Vedas. Not bad but I think I read it out of sync with his other work.

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially hairsplitting about Hindu terminology for the sake of attacking the Left, but is pretty close to how the East understands its own thought.

[Omkara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply one of the best works on the vedanta out there, absolutely recommend.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this (1925) after reading Introduction to the Study of the Hindu Doctrines (1921) but before reading Studies in Hinduism (1966). I had intended to read the 1966 work 2nd based on a random reading order list I found online, but somehow read this one first.

I didn't find it especially difficult until perhaps the last quarter of the book when the Shaykh got more into metaphysics and the verbiage became more and more dense.

While I'll probably re-read the last part of the book again, I only have one recommendation about Rene Guenon in general and that is to ignore the online reading lists and just read them in the order they are listed (inside most of the books).

The reason is two-fold:
1) the newer books reference the older ones in the footnotes, so it's more convenient to refer back to the other books if you've read them already.
2)The assumption at times in terms of understanding metaphysical terminology, traditionalism, and especially symbolism is that you've read what came before, so this can be a hindrance to deep understanding.

[ابو موسى · Rating 1 out of 5]

And what exactly is man according to the Vedanta?

﴾أَفَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ وَأَضَلَّهُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٖ وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ سَمۡعِهِۦ وَقَلۡبِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ عَلَىٰ بَصَرِهِۦ غِشَٰوَةٗ فَمَن يَهۡدِيهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱللَّهِۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿
Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?
[Qur'an 45:23; English translation by Sahih International]

This book is essentually a Dajjalic guide to self-cult and worship: first you believe and proclaim that your self is divine, then you become what, a Vedantic monk or something? The Satanic movement has also as its main doctrine the belief that you are 'god', so do not be deceived and know that the source of these is one and the same: Iblis.

[Aban · Rating 4 out of 5]

very dense, need a lil background in sanskrit to get the neuances

overall, very good :)

[Valeriy Popov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Поразительная книга.