“The intellect is not a faculty of man, but man is a faculty of the Intellect.”
What this quote means
This quote reverses our usual conception of intellect. We think of intellect as a tool we possess, but Schuon suggests the opposite: the Intellect (capitalized) is a universal reality, and man is a manifestation of that reality. It evokes the idea that our capacity to understand doesn't belong to us but partakes of a vaster intelligence. This invites intellectual humility and recognizing that truth passes through us more than it originates from us.
How to apply it daily
During a difficult reflection, remind yourself that your thinking is a channel. Ask yourself: what truth is seeking to express itself through me?
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