Jesuit scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a keen observer of nature, posited
two types of energy in the universe:
- tangential energy/energy of attraction and
- radial energy/energy of transcendence―
in other words, love and consciousness,
which correspond to the inner and outer dimensions of nature, respectively.
Moreover, as theologian Ilia Delio points out, nature is never at rest; indeed, “Nature [is] on a continuous trajectory of transcendence.”
“The Big Bang universe is a story of space but it is also a story of consciousness and love.”
How are the inner universe and the outer universe related?
“Is the inner universe the key to nature’s transcendence?” she asks.
“Is science disclosing a new role for consciousness and thus a new role for spiritual transformation?”
The author builds not only on the thought of Teilhard and others but also on the findings of quantum physics to deliver a thought-provoking, deeply insightful reflection on the relationship of God, humanity, and nature in an ever-evolving cosmos.
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
lia Delio, OSF, is a Franciscan Sister of Washington, DC. She holds the Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology at Villanova University, and is the author of seventeen books, several of which have won awards.
Product details
Publisher : Paulist Press (April 3, 2018)
Language : English
Paperback : 136 pages
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States
David E. Schutt
5.0 out of 5 stars Jolts
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2019
When I began reading de Chardin I found myself somewhat uncomfortable. I found that I had to learn how to read him. But he real awakening was when I realized that he was filled with optimism. It became my inner escape from conditioned institutional pessimism of my past life. Not long after that I had what he refers to as a "jolt". He said that, "we have jolts in life and if they don't kill us, we will never be the same again" . Ten years ago my son, his wife, kids and I visited family in Australia that I had never met. During our first few days we met relative after relative. One day. Something inexplicable happened. A 28 year old cousin of my daughter in law's when introduced to me, kissed me. When we looked at each other, I said, " it seems as though we have known each other for a very long time. " we spent the rest of our visit exploring the ramifications of this. I felt "vested or cloaked with Sophia. So powerful her presence came to me in that kiss. We, "breathed the other in". We sat in a group of four one morning having coffee. I ask what their experience of all this was. They told me Love and a very powerful Energy.
From that experience I extracted my theme, F < Energy x Love > 1~. Force (Sophia) gives us Energy x Love, giving us unity, equality and non duality exponentially to an infinite power.
I have lived this inner presence of Sophia since then. I'm a contemplative, I journal and read spiritually every day as well as meditate using Centering Prayer. As a deacon I became a thorn in the side of clericalism. I am a radical, progressive, and paradoxical Catholic.
Last May I was told by our Parish priest that I was not needed.
"I understand completely", I told him.
He opened the door and I walked out ..
We have a small group who meet every Monday for Centering Prayer.
If it were not for spiritual books like this one, and others like Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault, and others, we would have little hope of connection with this new reality, from our corner of the world in Wasilla Alaska,
Thank you so much.
Finally I want to affirm a quote from an ancient sufi, Hafiz, " I remember well the day that God(dess) ran up and kisssed me!)
Dave
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Vicki
5.0 out of 5 stars mind blowing
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020
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I’m still digesting this book. It’s really blowing my mind. Holy Cow! Bits of brain all over the place. What a surprise in such an unassuming looking little book and soothing title.
I feel excited and confused, filled with profound awe and deeply touched in my core at once. Feeling grateful that this one got slipped onto my reading list. The concepts feel both radical and transformative. I mean I never really considered the 2nd law of thermodynamics in relation to global consciousness before, nor the notion that we are One with our technology in the process of evolution and transcendence. Holy cow. I find I have to read and reread each paragraph, section, chapter. And I’m constantly calling my poor husband over with a ‘listen to this!’
In a world in which awe and wonder have been diminished by our ability to dissect and explain everything, this book is a religious experience. (and well the author asserts that the religious impulse is elemental to all evolution/becoming, even at the microscopic level of life itself)
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Lisa A Ushman
5.0 out of 5 stars Challenges my mind with new ideas or confirmation of them.
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2019
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Excellent books. Easy to read and well planned in its presentation.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Human consciousness is crossing a new threshold.
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2019
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A masterpiece of creative integration of science and theology. Absolute must read for anyone seeking a deeper spirituality.
2 people found this helpful
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M R Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars Evolving Conscious
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2019
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Well grounded with insight into creations connectivity, our oneness! A very good read with a host of references
2 people found this helpful
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Robert A. Dalgleish
5.0 out of 5 stars Reformers Take Note
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2019
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If our politicians and social reformed took the message of this book to heart our world would be headed in a much better direction.
Gardener
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2018
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Accessible, profound.
3 people found this helpful
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Agnes Caldwell
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Thought Provoking
Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2019
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Very interesting exploration of the human concept of the Creator of the Universe and how it has changed and continues to change. Very nice printing with a secure binding, exceptional in a small book these days. Small enough to carry around in a pocket, to be read and digested in small bites.
lockthescot
5.0 out of 5 stars God loves us!
Reviewed in Canada on June 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
Anyone seeking meaning to their life will find some answers here.
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Swood rated it really liked it
My friends Chuck Hoffman and Peg Carlson-Hoffman recommended I read this book.
They are acquainted with the author, Ilia Delio.
It's a small book, packed with big ideas and she does a fine job of moving though them logically and persuasively. The conclusion she reaches is powerful and a guide for our times, our future -- that we are all connected, not just with each other, but with all things.
And that if we come together we can take what it means to be human to the next level -- of consciousness? of transcendence? As explored by Teilhard de Chardin, explained by Bergson and others. She quotes dozens and dozens of thinkers -- again in nicely plotted support of her logic.
“If we want a different world, we must become different people.” .... “We must either unify or annihilate.”
I was nearly derailed early on, as I feel like she skips two crucial definitions; that of the terms “religion” and “love.” (Finally on pg 95, she offers up a definition of love, but I wish she'd done so much much sooner)
And I felt like she was speaking almost entirely from the Christian tradition/framework; although she did eventually invite other faiths into the discussion (Buddhism). As such, my own biases got in the way of the reading .... yet she did finally bring me around convincingly to her POV.
I feel like physicists, such as an Alan Lightman, might not allow her to make the leap from the revelations of “quantum physics” to consciousness -- but she actually does a pretty good job of building a case for that leap. Of course, all that stuff is beyond my grasp ... but its in my own nature to try.
A worthy and thought-provoking read. I will likely have to read it again. What she is arguing for, hoping for will need constant refreshing in this chaotic world in which we live. One might argue however, that we need to experience the level of chaos we're in now in order to see the path forward. (less)
