The Eleventh Hour: The spiritual crisis of the modern world in the light of tradition and prophecy Paperback – January 1, 2010

_The Eleventh Hour: The Spiritual Crisis of the Modern World in the Light of Tradition and Prophecy_ by traditionalist scholar and museum curator Martin Lings is a fascinating book which examines the crisis of the present age as we approach the "eleventh hour" and the end of time. Martin Lings examines the world's religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and the three great monotheistic religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in terms of the perennial philosophy to understand the modern world and its plunge into darkness. From the Gospels, Lings examines the parable of the laborers in the vineyard - those who arrive at the eleventh hour receive the same wages as those who labor throughout the day. Lings also turns his attention to the errors of the modern world - which exists at the end of a cycle, the Kali yuga of the Hindus, the darkest of the dark ages - including especially Darwinism and evolution, scientism, and modern education. Lings examines modern day political structures in the light of Plato's writings in his misnamed _Republic_ as a progression occurs from aristocracy (rule by the elite, the philosopher kings), to timarchy (rule by the Kshatriya caste), to oligarchy (rule by the Vaisya merchant caste), to democracy (the call for "liberty and equality"), to eventual tyranny. This form of degradation is contrary to modern secular political thinking which trumpets democracy (with all its evils) as a great achievement of government. Lings compares this to the various forms of Islamic theocracy, but notes how the original pure form has been lost. Lings references various components within the religious traditions, particularly those of Islam and Roman Catholicism (where he notes the mistakes of the Second Vatican Council, the prophecies of the Virgin at Fatima, and the prophecies of Saint Malachy regarding the popes and the end of the world). Lings next turns his attention to the "Spirit of the Times" in which he notes the positive features of the modern era. Here, Lings references the Kalki, "the rider of the white horse", of the Hindu tradition and compares this figure to Christ in the Christian apocalypse. Lings is particularly influenced by the traditionalist school of thought founded by two important figures Rene Guenon and Ananda Coomaraswamy (who represent for him prophets calling to mind the apocalyptic accounts of Enoch and Elias). In addition, other traditionalists such as Fritjhof Schuon as well as Titus Burckhardt, Leo Schaya, and Rama Coomaraswamy (son of Ananda Coomaraswamy and writer on the errors of Vatican II and the Roman Catholic Church) are mentioned by Lings. Finally, Lings notes how a destructive force is underway which will result in a great tribulation on the Purification Day. Here, Lings references both Christian and Islamic traditions involving the apocalyptic figures of Christ, the Antichrist, and the Mahdi of Islamic tradition. Also, as revealed by the Virgin at Fatima the Cup of Divine Anger will overflow. The book ends with four appendices including one discussing Sufism in the light of Fritjhof Schuon's writings (cf. _Sufism: Veil and Quintessence_), one discussing the question of finding a spiritual master who will lead one in the path of esoterism, one discussing the Second Vatican Council in the light of the Virgin's prophecies at Fatima and Garabandal, and one discussing the prophecies of Saint Malachy regarding the future popes and the end of the world. This book offers an excellent resource into the thinking of the traditionalist philosophy and provides a necessary antidote to the spiritual degradation of our times.

I greatly admire the writings of Rene Guenon, Schuon and Burckhard and was very impressed with the biography of the Prophet Muhammad by Martin Lings I do however feel that he like G Eaton lacks the same insight as the above mentioned 3 authors with regards to religion and society.While Guenon and Schuon concentrate on a study of religion and its regression in the modern world, Burckhard and Nasr on the spiritual aspect of art and the world around us Lings and Eaton seem to look into the social and political climate of the time and here they are to say the least lacking.This book is a perfect example. While its aim is noble and simple enough, that our ancestors had a much stronger concept of religion, through history we are moving more and more away from God and and even though doomsday theories have come and gone continuously throughout history they were more deeply felt in the past as people then were much 'closer to God'Yes, we can argue against modern ideologies such as communism (as Lings and Eaton have done almost to the point of a personal crusade) And argue that is is "The lowest ebb which a government can sink" In regards to its distance from religion and thus, distance from God but to then argue as Lings does on page 42 that "Franco re-established a principled autocracy. That is, a Christian kingdom with himself as regent, thus saving his country from a communist dictatorship" Shows a remarkable ignorance of Spanish history.Lings may well produce a theory of the world regressing (in opposite to modern theories of progress which is in fact Guenon's theory) but to describe Francos Spain as some kind of 'noble Christian kingdom' is just nonsense. The fact that he could even put such words to print shows something of an insult to the intelligence of the reader.Much of the book then is just a reproduction of Guenon and Shuons works followed by the apparitions at Fatima and the Prophecy of the Popes (something which was recently revived with the coming of the current pope) While his interpretations of the prophecy of the Popes is interesting as are his notes on the apparitions at Fatima they really cover nothing new. I must say, I was disappointed by this book because I thought it lacked depth.For writing on the study of religion especially eastern religion look to the works of Guenon or Schuon. For the spiritual aspect of Islam look to Nasr (or Islam and the destiny of Man by Eaton) For writings on Christian art look to Burckhard.I cant imagine that someone with an interest in such subjects will not have previously read the Prophecy of the Popes or about Fatima and the mere fact that he/she is reading such books show they are more than aware that there is a spiritual crisis in the world and within themselves. What they are looking for is what to do about it. This book I feel, does not give any answers.