The Phenomenon of Man
Teilhard de Chardin (1948)
Introduction by Sir Julian Huxley
(French ed.1955. English ed.1959 - 320pages)

If this book is to be properly understood, it must be read not as a work on metaphysics, still less as a sort of theological essay, but purely and simply as a scientific treatise. The title itself indicates that. This book deals with man solely as a phenomenon; but it also deals with the whole phenomenon of man. - from the author's Preface (Harper Perennial)

This work may be summed up as an attempt to see and to make others see what happens to man, and what conclusions are forced upon us, when he is placed fairly and squarely within the framework of phenomenon and appearance.
Why should we want to see, and why in particular should we single out man as our object?
Seeing. We might say that the whole of life lies in that verb - if not ultimately, at least essentially. Fuller being is closer union: such is the kernel and conclusion of this book. But let us emphasise the point: union increases only through an increase in consciousness, that is, to say in vision. And that, doubtless, is why the history of the living world can be summarised as the elaboration of ever more perfect eyes within a cosmos in which there is always something more to be seen. - from the author's Foreward (Harper Perennial)

This little book does no more than recapitulate the eternal lesson of the Church in the words of a man who, because he feels himself to feel deeply in tune with his own times, has sought to teach how to see God everywhere, to see him in all that is most hidden, most solid, and most ultimate in the world. These pages put forward no more than a practical attitude - or, more exactly perhaps, a way of teaching how to see.
- from the author's Introduction (Harper Perennial)


...the progress of the universe, and in particular of the human universe, does not take place in competition with God, nor does it squander energies that we rightly owe to him. The greater man becomes, the more humanity becomes united, with consciousness of, and master of, its potentialities, the more beautiful creation will be, the more perfect adoration will become, and the more Christ will find, for mystical extensions, a body worthy of resurrection.

Now the earth can certainly clasp me in her giant arms. She can swell me with her life, or take me back into her dust. She can deck herself out for me with every charm, with every horror, with every mystery. She can intoxicate me with her perfume of tangibility and unity. She can cast me to my knees in expectation of what is maturing in her breast...

But her enchantments can no longer do me harm, since she has become for me, over and above herself, the body of him who is and of him who is coming.

The divine milieu.

- from the author's Epilogue: In Expectation of the Parousia (Harper Perennial)

The MoonGlow-Reflected:


Buying a Book?
Teilhard de Chardin
The Phenomenon of Man (1959)- US$14.50 C$21
The Divine Milieu (1960) - US$13 C$19
Other Titles:
Activation of Energy (1970) - US$6.95
Christianity and Evolution (1974) - US$10
Towards the Future (1975) - US$10
Heart of the Matter (1980) - US$13
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: Writings
(Modern Spiritual Masters Series)