glossary of terms used by frithjof schuon - Sophia Perennis

Metaphysic: The science of the Absolute and of the true nature of things. [LT,
Rationalism, Real and Apparent]
Metaphysic / Philosophy: In reality, the transcendent character of metaphysic makes it
independent of any purely human mode of thought. In order to define clearly the
difference between the two modes in question, it may be said that philosophy proceeds
from reason (which is a purely individual faculty), whereas metaphysic proceeds
exclusively from the Intellect. [TUR, Preface]
Metaphysical / Mystical: “Metaphysical”: concerning universal realities considered
objectively. “Mystical”: concerning the same realities considered subjectively, that is, in
relation to the contemplative soul, insofar as they enter operatively into contact with it.
[LT, Understanding and Believing]
. . . the two wisdoms, the one metaphysical and the other mystical; it would be entirely
wrong to take certain mystical or unitive formulations as authority for denying the
legitimacy of intellectual definitions, wrong at least for anyone who is himself outside the
special state in question; for in fact it happens that certain contemplatives, speaking in the
name of direct experience, reject doctrinal formulations, these having become for them
“words,” which does not always prevent them from putting forward other formulations of
the same order and possibly of the same value. Here we must avoid confusing the strictly
intellectual or doctrinal plane, which has all the legitimacy and so all the efficacy
conferred on it at its level by the nature of things, with the plane of inner experience, the
plane of ontological perceptions or of mystical “perfumes” or “tastes.” It would be as
wrong as to dispute the adequacy of a geographical map because one had undertaken an
actual journey or, for example, to pretend that because one had travelled from North to
South, the Mediterranean is situated “above” and not “below,” as shown on the map. [UI,
The Path]
Metaphysical Certitude (foundation): The foundation of metaphysical certitude is the
coincidence between truth and our being; a coincidence that no ratiocination could
invalidate. Contingent things are proven by factors situated within their order of
contingency, whereas things deriving from the Absolute become clear by their
participation in the Absolute, hence by a “superabundance of light” – according to Saint
Thomas – which amounts to saying that they are proven by themselves. In other words,
universal truths draw their evidence not from our contingent thought, but from our
transpersonal being, which constitutes the substance of our spirit and guarantees the
adequacy of intellection. [PM, In the Face of Contingency]
Metaphysical Discernment / Contemplative Concentration: Metaphysical discernment
is a “separation” between Atma and Maya; contemplative concentration, or a unifying
consciousness, is on the other hand a “union” of Maya with Atma. Discernment is
separative* and is what “doctrine” is concerned with; concentration is unitive and is what
“method” is concerned with; “faith” is related to the first element, and the “love of God”
to the second.
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