object:2.02 - Evolutionary Creation and the Expectation of a Revelation
book class:Let Me Explain
author class:Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
subject class:Christianity
subject class:Science
class:chapter
2. Evolutionary Creation and the Expectation
of a Revelation
I. EVOLUTIONARY CREATION
It is from this centre of irreversibility, once discovered, that
the light breaks backwards, illuminating the hidden mechan-
ism of the phenomenon. At first, we could only note with
astonishment, but not explain, the persistent rise of a fraction
of the world, against the current, towards ever more improb-
able states of complexity. Now we see that this paradoxical
movement is sustained by a prime mover ahead. The branch
climbs, not supported by its base but suspended from the
future. This is what renders the movement not only irrever-
sible but irresistible. From this point of view (which is that
not only of simple antecedence, but of causality itself)
evolution assumes its true figure for our mind and our
heart. It is certainly not 'creative', as science for a brief
moment believed; but it is the expression of creation, for our
experience, in time and space. (V.P., p. 231.)
If, as we ascend, Omega is seen from our side of things,
at first it stands out on the horizon as a centre of convergence
that is no more than immanent: mankind totally reflected
upon itself. But when we come to examine it, it becomes
plain that if this focus point is to hold firm it presupposes
behind it, and at a deeper level, a transcendent - divine -
nucleus.
If the Multiple becomes unified, it is ultimately because it
is subject to a force of attraction. (A.E. (Oeuvres VII), pp.
152-3.)
85
Let Me Explain
II. THE EXPECTATION OF A REVELATION
In an initial phase - before man - the attraction was vitally
but blindly received by the world. Since man's coming, it
has become at least partially conscious in the form of reflec-
tive freedom, and it has given rise to religion.
If, as we have admitted, Omega is already in existence and
operative at the very core of the thinking mass, then it would
seem inevitable that its existence should be manifested to us
here and now through some definite indication. To animate
evolution in its lower stages, the conscious pole of the world
could of course act only in an impersonal form under the
veil of biology. Upon the thinking entity that we have be-
come by hominization, it is now possible for it to radiate
from the one Centre to all centres - personally. Would it
seem likely that it should not do so? (P.M., pp. 291-2.)
And in consequence we are now led again to find God at
the head, in a deeper sense:
Not only ... as the prime physical or biological mover
but as the prime psychical mover, appealing, in us men, to
what is most human in us, our intelligence, our heart, and
our power of choice.
Ultimately, this means that we have to answer the ques-
tion whether there may not be, as yet overlooked by us, a
hidden message in the complex flood of evolutionary forces
that run through us. (A.E. (Oeuvres VII), p. 153.)
Either the whole construction of the world presented here
is vain speculation, or somewhere around us, in one form or
another, some excess of personal, extra-human energy must
be perceptible to us if we look carefully, and must reveal to
us the great Presence. (P.M., p. 292.)
86
questions, comments, suggestions/feedback, take-down requests, contribute, etc
contact me @ integralyogin@gmail.com or via the comments below
or join the integral discord server (chatrooms)
if the page you visited was empty, it may be noted and I will try to fill it out. cheers