This is one of the most important books of Frithjof Schuon, a compendium of all the metaphysical doctrine and overview of the spiritual and moral dimension of esotericism in its operational side, as well as traditional art and aesthetics. What interests the author in this book are not so much historical esoterica as esotericism itself -the Perennis- Sophia, "which in itself is independent of the particular forms, since it is their essence."

Esotericism as a principle and as a pathway is one of the most important works of Frithjof Schuon because recapitulates his teachings on the meaning of esotericism, on the moral and spiritual life and art and sacred forms. The book is divided into four parts: "Sophia Perennis", "spiritual and moral life", "aesthetics and theurgical Phenomenology 'and' Sufism '. The first part contains several chapters of great doctrinal importance, in which the metaphysical principles of the Sophia Perennis exposed and in which the author explains what esotericism, why this perspective is possible and even necessary, and how it applies to the various planes of human existence. The second part is dedicated to the spiritual and moral life, considered a practical and operational mode. In these studies, Schuon sheds light on such key issues as the virtues on the road, sexuality, nature and the role of feeling, or sincerity. The third section examines the foundations of a comprehensive aesthetics, art degrees and other issues. Finally, the fourth part offers two notable studies on Sufism. All pages of this book are a demonstration that "only esotericism, referring to the whole truth, can give answers that are not fragmented or are engaged in advance by a religious bias."