Evola articulates the close relationship between the physical rigors of mountain climbing and the ascent of the initiate toward self-transcendence.
Julius Evola, a leading exponent of esoteric thought, was also an ardent mountain climber who personally scaled the peaks of the Tyrols, Alps, and Dolomites. For Evola the physical conquest of a mountain, with all the courage, self-transcendence and mental lucidity that it entails, becomes an inseparable and complementary part of spiritual awakening. It is no coincidence that many ancient cultures chose mountains as the abodes of their gods and considered the rigorous ascent of peaks as the task of heroes and initiates. In modern times, which tend to suffocate the heroic with naked self interest, the mountain still forms part of the profound dimension of spirit where the soul finds within itself more than what it thought itself to be. In Meditations on the Peaks, Evola combines recollections of his own experiences with reflections on other inspirational men and women who shared his view of the transcendent greatness of mountains.

Julius Evola (1898-1974) was one of the leading authorities on the world's esoteric traditions, and wrote extensively on ancient religions and hermeticism. Inner Traditions has also published his Revolt Against the Modern World, The Mystery of the Grail, The Hermetic Tradition, The Yoga of Power, The Doctrine of Awakening, and Eros and the Mysteries of Love.

Foreword

Part One: Doctrine

1. The Mountain and Spirituality
2. Some Remarks Concerning the Divinity of the Mountains
3. Spirituality of the Mountain
4. A Mystic of the Tibetan Mountains
5. Race and the Mountain
6. The Mountain, Sport, and Contemplation
7. Ascending and Descending

Part Two: Experiences

8. The Northern Wall of Eastern Lyskamm
9. Notes Concerning Psychic Training in the Mountains
10. The Ascent of Mount Langkopfel
11. Ice and the Spirit
12. The Valley of the Wind
13. The Ascent of Mount Gross-Glockner
14. Meditations on the Peaks
15. A Storm on Mount Rosa

Part Three: Appendices

Appendix A. An Artist of the Heights: Nicholas Roerich
Appendix B. Art and Symbol in the Seat of the Snows
Appendix C. Religiosity of Tyrol
Appendix D. The Kingdom of the Demon of the Peaks
Appendix E. Height

Index