The Great Triad

Doctrine Métaphysique #4

by René Guénon, Henry Fohr (Translator), James Richard Wetmore (Editor)

The classical Triad of the Chinese tradition is Heaven-Man-Earth. René Guénon places this ternary in the context of universal metaphysics by identifying Heaven with Essence and Earth with Substance, the mediator between them being Man, whose cosmic function is to embody spirit (Heaven) while simultaneously spiritualizing matter (Earth). Exploring Chinese cosmology further, Guénon sheds light on such archetypal polarities as Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, Solve et Coagula, Celestial and Terrestrial Numbers, the Square and the Compass, the Double Spiral, and the Being and the Environment, while pointing to their synthetic unity in terms of ternaries, such as the Three Worlds, Triple Time, Spiritus, Anima, and Corpus, Sulfur, Mercury and Salt, and God, Man, and Nature. Perhaps more completely than in any other work, Guénon demonstrates in The Great Triad how any integral tradition is both a mirror reflecting universal themes found in all other intact traditions and an entire conceptual cosmos unto itself, unique and incomparable.

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

180 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

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

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

A later Guenon work of the specifically metaphysical variety, we found this one easier to digest that Multiple States of Being, as well as Symbolism of the Cross. Perhaps that was because we've studied Taoism for years, and this one specifically deals with Taoist topics, so we had a little more context. Also touches on alchemy, which was helpful!

[Denis Seiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to this work I could discover a forgotten new persepective on the Quran,
And I am sure it is a universal work that can help interpret any religion and mythology in a new light that in the end is not a new thing but always has been in us

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the master piece of Guenon - but a simpler writing in comparison to others, which helps in getting some confidence with the Author...

[شاهنشاه‎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comme toujours avec Guénon, il est difficile de retenir tout ce qu'il a à dire avec une seule lecture. Ce livre a pour sujet surtout les ternaires de l'extrême-orient, mais pas que. Le livre touch aux sujets très divers, comme l'hermetisme jusqu'à la réligion chrétienne. Ce qui est fort logique, vu que, selon Guénon, toutes ces traditions se derivent de la tradition primordiale.

Il faut dire que ce livre n'est pas facile à aborder. Si l'on n'a jamais lu de Guénon, je recommendrais "Le Roi du Monde" et "La Crise du Monde Moderne." D'ailleurs, sans avoir déjà lu "La Règne de la Quantité," ce livre serait plus difficile encore.

J'ai beaucoup appris à propos de la tradition orientale, mais il reste beacoup à extraire de ce livre. Je le relirai dans un avenir proche, je pense.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

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