A Chance Encounter With Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (Think About This)
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin is one of the most influential Evolutionaries of the twentieth century. His vision for humanity’s role in the grand story of evolution has inspired countless individuals, many of whom have appeared on the pages of EnlightenNext magazine. One of the most interesting examples is human potential pioneer Jean Houston, who befriended Teilhard after a chance encounter in Central Park in 1951 when she was fourteen years old. In the following excerpt from an EnlightenNext interview, Houston describes an exchange with “Mr. Tayer,” as she called him, in which he shares his spiritual interpretation of evolution:
“We need to have more specialists in spirit who will lead people into self-discovery,” he told me.
“What do you mean, Mr. Tayer?”
He said—and this is exactly what he said; I was taking notes because I knew I was in the presence of greatness—”We are being called into metamorphosis, into a far higher order, and yet we often act only from a tiny portion of ourselves. It is necessary that we increase that portion. But do not think for one minute, Jean, that we are alone in making that possible. We are part of a cosmic evolutionary movement that inspires us to unite with God. This is the lightning flash for all our potentialities. This is the great originating cause of all our shifts and changes. Without it there is nothing but struggle and decline.”
Click here to read the full interview with Jean Houston.
Filed Under: Cosmology • EnlightenNext Editors’ Blog • EnlightenNext magazine • Evolutionaries • Evolutionary Spirituality • Spirituality • Think About This
On certain days, you turn on the computer and you read something that is exactly what is needed. This was it for me today. It had the effect of putting on a pair of glasses that would clarify everything instantly and I feel better now! I l aways feel better when greatness speaks! We are all a connected part of the life/human computer that moves us toward an evolutionary direction. And now we can assure ourselves that we know this and we can talk to each other about this. We can prove our connectedness–we can see it and feel it and describe it.
Some of us know this instinctively and some of us are around those already aware of this. This was brilliant today! My solar panels are part of this metamorphosis! They feel like a shining metaphor of this cosmic evolutionary growth.
Thanks for this!
Talk about metaphors, is there a more convincing one as the internet–connectivity in overdrive!
I feel very connected, 21st cent. style!
Anyone using the internet certainly can attest to this.
de Chardin is such a respected figure but I must admit I know little about him other than his reputation. That he is an early speaker of spiritual evolution gets my attn.
Are there many predecessors of that concept? Who were de Chardin’s influences in this regard?
Thankyou Joel, this is a great story, one of those very fortunate encounters for – Jean Houston – meeting Teilard De Chardin when she was 14 years old, in Central Park. Wouldn’t we all have like to have such a fine friend and mentor at that age!
The other interesting thing is that she literally ‘ran’ into him, as she was tearing down a street as a boisterous 14 year old, and she was knocked over. This is quite a dramatic first encounter!
Many of us are lucky to have met Andrew Cohen, whether that was planned consciously or not–i.e. our paths crossed in time, or we sought him out.
I just wanted to say it was a thrill to read of someone meeting with Teilhard de Chardin. I was captivated by his writing, it left me spellbound. So thanks for this treat!
Joseph
Yep, Teilhard de Chardin was right: it’s all about reuniting with “God.” Said another way, about reconnecting and integrating with your higher self. I invite you to get a free 7-page report on how to do exactly this on my website. Take care, we are on our way…
Christine Hoeflich
Great post! I found the whole conversation about “self-mastery” very interesting and wonder what “Mr. Tayer” would have to say about it…
My thoughts;In a context of Evolutionary Enlightenment, Self-Mastery is a capacity that unfolds ever-increasingly with the levels/stages of development. Meaning; the continuous refining of the ability to differentiate and transcend through stages, with a *flexibility and fortitude* of mind that can, also, self-reflect with discernment at what has *value* to continued progress *while simultaneously* witnessing the Ground of Awareness that makes it all possible. Whew! “Mastery” in this context means flexibility and fortitude, not control. Inflexibility,control and concretized philosophies and beliefs, no matter what a person accomplishes, is not, in my opinion, Self-Mastery, but the fear-based, will-to-power, self-serving of an over-arching ego-structure.
For example; When one comes to the awareness that they can,or have,used their ego-will to transcend their ego-will, they have accessed/created flexibility and fortitude to self-master that *stage* well-enough (A.C. says 51%) to engage with the subtle-will/mind of the Soul. Integration of self-mastery of the ego-level will reinforce the perception, and so on. So Self-Mastery unfolds through stages, just as Enlightened Awareness does, since Self-Mastery is a necessary capacity to spiritually develop, especially into the higher stages.
It’s also not surprising that men and women have different “comfort levels” with the use of the term “self-mastery.” I think it’s time that women of strength and humility turn the tables on this taboo phrase, disidentify with “Mastery” as a male-only word, and invest themselves with fortitude and flexibility to Master the Universe fearlessly.
Chardin’s development of the noosphere is particularly striking for me. As I took it he presented the idea that a vibrationally sound truth grounded in knowing, tested in the fires of experience, loved and nurtured within, consistantly communicated by new form in form had the potential of an integrated whole flowing into what he called a Christ conscious noosphere. Similar by example to recoveries group consciousness that I know. One of the nooshere’s greatest blessings is the active real capacity to be alive to and respond to consciously genuine inquires regarding evolution. The recovery example again; if I were to experience a strong influence to use and communicated a wish for direction away from that pull a dedicated love based group conscious energy may influence me in a better direction. This regardless of dogma or greed. The only reason for response being an authentic requirement for true answer. In recovery it is more simple as the topic is defined and easy to recognize. In Chardin’s model, directed love to the movement toward evolution beyond the boundries of Church authority didn’t hinder his presentation as for me it is just an existing truth of the cosmic plan for our completion. Actually a law that we recieve from higher, knowledge as we are willing to present ourselves to higher…our honest knowing. He is good man working.
Louis Pasteur stated, “chance favors the prepared mind.” Jean Houston made occasional references to her childhood in several of her books. Her father was an entertained who knew a famous ventriloquist. His ‘dummy’ was named Charley. Jean discovered the ventriloquist alone having a conversation with his dummy. The dummy was “waxing” in profound and philosophical manner. Jean ask the ventriloquist what he was doing. He said in an embarrassed tone that he was talking to Charley.Jean said, “but he’s a dummy. The ventriloquist said in a serious voice,”I know but what he tell me is so much more than I know.” At that time she was a little girl. Clearly this experience had a powerful impression on her. She relates many such episodes that occurred during her formative years. In my view these special experiences prepared her to be receptive to the influences of someone like Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. How many fourteen year olds would have been similarly susceptible to what he had to offer.
I’m sure if I had an inspired mentor at the appropriate age I would be more evolved today,and would have better actualized my innate capacities. Sometimes I think about this; as an excuse or rational for not achieving my spiritual, intellectual, and emotional goals, forgetting, or not realizing that an inspired mentor is but one spoke in the wheel that defines personal evolution. Now I must seek ‘mentors’ in the form of grounded books, organisations, and individuals that resonate with my philosophy and inner calling. As well, in a real sense, I must recognize, and become my own mentor. No doubt, this is the harder alternative.I still struggle with the need to bring to fruition the condition, or conditions that can awaken and actualize my innate desire for productive and meaningful change.
Hi John, re: “I’m sure if I had an inspired mentor at the appropriate age I would be more evolved today,and would have better actualized my innate capacities.”
May I ask, in what way would you want to be more evolved?
If we speak of spiritual development, the Buddhists have the idea that enlightenment can come in a flash of awareness. I wonder if this is speaking of the Spiritual Awakening Event? Those who have had this Awakening speak of a great Realization of Truth.
I wonder if you’ve experienced this Realization, not just ordinary aha! moments but something really life changing?
Hell Frank, Re;”May I ask, in what way would you want to be more evolved?”
The short answer is in a lot of way, to numerous to reference.I might suggest various physical, mental and spiritual attainments. Look, I am not suggesting that wanting and having are the same thing. Still, the belief that I, or anyone else would have evolved in a more defined, and meaningful, and actualized way; given enlightened mentors is generally true. Of course there are exceptions.
Jean Huston has written about the Greek concept of Entelechy; actualizing the “innate capacity” for growth. She analogizes an acorn becoming an oak tree. If you accept the idea of Entelechy; this innate tendency/capacity, and by extension the capacity to recognize such, then it seem possible to recognize, at the very least; if one is not on the best path, if not the real path; in evolutionary terms.
You know, the process of evolution, and the personal goals within that context are so varied and individuated as to render your question unanswerable without having firstly engaged me in a rather thorough manner. If you knew me; my habits, interest, talents, philosophy’s, spiritual grounding or insight, world view, etc, I really wonder if you would feel inclined to ask the same question.
Evolution “works” because certain requisite conditions are in place, whether we are talking about acorns or people. If I’m certain my life lacked many well established conditions; mentors, effective parents, teachers, friends, or opportunities, yet I’m reasonably self-aware, I can speak with a degree confidence about what is lacking, or underdeveloped. There is a category of techniques we acknowledge and work on, or need to, that could have been refined sooner to help people more, and create less suffering for all concerned.
Hi,
All masters of consciousness -whether embodied now or not – are holding space for us to complete “the Great Turnin” out of fear, resistance, gult, confusion, doubt, many old reactions we have stuffed into our sub conscious, and relax into the TRUTH: we are held, breathed, loved in all moments.
Allowing that, seeing only the Creator in all creation – no matter what is arising – is our true nature.
And it is not so simple for everone to jsut come into the moment; therre may be healing of old wounds that is needed. But so many are healers now – just ask.
the ego mind is the block to our truth; coming into Presence brings us into a place of lightness, joy, and the realization we are all expressions of this one flow of awareness. Perfect, innocent and eternal.
IN this place all worries subside. And all we want is to share with our Holy Family. To see the perfection in all is the great gift. A game of consciousness really, yes?
Teilhard is another great spirit giving us his mesage of truth and hope. Great day to All! Eliza
Beautifully said, dear Elizabeth, thank you!
Nietzsche characterized nihilism as emptying the world and especially human existence of meaning, purpose, comprehensible truth, or essential value.
If I conjecture why this happens is that these people who seem to have cast aside spiritual values of any kind operating on a kind of vengeful mindset that casts them as judges of those who violate their principles. They are usually angry with extremely short fuses, violently anti-authoritarian, exasperated that others don’t see them, these people as smarter than everyone except those guys we others excoriate as mass murderers.
History is on the side of this sort of mad anger to last too long but like detonations, isolated delay-timed mines, nihilisticly inspired terrorism can get triggered off long after life has regained a peaceful course.
I love injunctions against the intentional ending of others’ lives. It sure hasn’t deterred murderers, but it gives us who apprehend them to usually decide to kill them with society’s way of murdering or to incarcerate them for life, billing the taxpayers.
Maybe everyone, especially the brighter of the race, has these tendencies but there’s a point where enough is enough about suffering fools and each decides their own line in the sand of patience.
These very angry times have raised the bar with violence becoming not the last straw but maybe with smarty pants proliferating philosophers who espouse the “my-way-or-die” kind of murdering activism who’ve decided the gun is mightier and much quicker than the pen. In fact guns and bombs are the preferred weapons of their choice, lamentably.
I pray for pseudo-humans of this ilk to come to their senses, put aside the rancor that has roots in the distant past and come join the 21st cent. party. Happiness abounds and there’s
Hi Frank! I’m not sure I understand your comment in relationship to the post. Would you mind restating it for our benefit?
Also, it seems to convey a measure of the very extremism you are criticizing…was that your intention?
I enjoy your very heart-felt contributions to the dialogs on this site. You usually successfully express yourself with curiosity and a sense of Unknowing, which is posture that exhibits a certain level of humility and open-ness. It is a different voice you have with this comment, which is fine, but quite *frankly,* I don’t get it.
A little more clarity, please?
LOL
Hi Nada!
Pls be specific that made you feel I’ve made any negative comments. I would like to clarify your understanding.
Hi Again Frank, I’m confused as to the relationship between the post about Jean Houston/Teilhard de Chardin and what you wrote concerning “psuedo-humans and their ilk” and “smarty pants proliferating philosophers espousing…” I don’t feel a connection, a thread, to pick up on as dialog, and instead, I’m struck by your language as a sort of extremist rant. I can also feel your care of the world; you’ve always struck me as a very caring person, which only adds to my befuddlement of your tone, but perhaps it is my perspective and purpose in the world to NOT ADD to the rancorous language that already abounds in culture that asks me to ask you “Why THIS tone concerning THIS post?
By the way, you asked me once (and I failed to respond)about HH Dalai Lama,his “enlightenment”, “happiness”, and “the strife of Tibet” – how they all figured together. If you would like a response, I’m willing to give it a go.
In Humble Service of the Self,
LOL
Hi Nada, pls be more specific in how I’m confusing you. What have I written to do that?