The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides, and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire.

From Toward the Future, 1936, XI, 86-87

Seeing. One could say that the whole of life lies in seeing…to try to see more and to see better is not, therefore, just a fantasy, curiosity, or a luxury. See or perish. This is the situation imposed on every element of the universe by the mysterious gift of existence. And thus, to a higher degree, this is the human condition.

From The Human Phenomenon, trans. Sarah Appleton- Weber, p. 3

In order to become explicit…our consciousness, rising above the growing (but still much too limited) circles of family, country, and race, shall finally discover that the only truly natural and real human unity is the spirit of the earth.

From “The Spirit of the Earth,” in Human Energy

It is not only in the thought of philosophers or the contemplation of mystics – but in the general consciousness of humankind – that the awareness of some divine presence underlying evolution demands to be clearly recognised as an ultimate and constant support for action.

From “Action and Activation,” in Science and Christ, 180.

The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides, and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire.

From Toward the Future, 1936, XI, 86-87

Seeing. One could say that the whole of life lies in seeing…to try to see more and to see better is not, therefore, just a fantasy, curiosity, or a luxury. See or perish. This is the situation imposed on every element of the universe by the mysterious gift of existence. And thus, to a higher degree, this is the human condition.

From The Human Phenomenon, trans. Sarah Appleton- Weber, p. 3

In order to become explicit…our consciousness, rising above the growing (but still much too limited) circles of family, country, and race, shall finally discover that the only truly natural and real human unity is the spirit of the earth.

From “The Spirit of the Earth,” in Human Energy

It is not only in the thought of philosophers or the contemplation of mystics – but in the general consciousness of humankind – that the awareness of some divine presence underlying evolution demands to be clearly recognised as an ultimate and constant support for action.

From “Action and Activation,” in Science and Christ, 180.

2022 ATA Annual Event

On May 21, 2022, we met online for our Annual Event. John F. Haught, PhD presented the keynote address, “Teilhard, Einstein, and the Meaning of Time.” This was followed by a panel discussion, “The Impact of Teilhard on my Personal and Professional Life” with Celia Ashton, OCD, DDS, Joshua Canzona, PhD, Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp, MDiv, STM, Elizabeth Osgood, CND, PhD, PEng, moderated by Andrew Del Rossi, ThD. Learn more here.

Upcoming Events

“Emerging Hope in a Chaotic World”
(September 30, 2022)

Reading Circles: Teilhard’s Mysticism: Seeing the Inner Face of Evolution
(Begins November 7)

“Ecotheology, or Why Climate Crisis and Eco-Anxiety Require a Radically Different Kind of Theology”
(November 10, 2022)

“Walking with Teilhard Through Advent: Contemplating the Divine Milieu” (November 29 – December 20, 2022)

View details and more upcoming events here.

Blogs

We are excited to share two new blogs. The first blog is by Louis Savary titled “Getting to Know Teilhard: The Formative Years.” This first post explores this topic: How did Teilhard come to love God so passionately? Read this blog here.

The second blog is by several recent Teilhard scholars titled “Teilhard’s Influence on My Life and Work.” The first post is by Celia Ashton, OCD, DDS. Read this blog here.

Teilhard Perspective

The “newsletter” of the American Teilhard Association, generally published twice annually and mailed to all members.

Teilhard Studies

A series of publications concerned with the future of the human in the light of the writings of Teilhard

Books by Teilhard

Books about Teilhard

Teilhard’s Quotes

EXPLORING AND BUILDING ON THE LIFE AND WORK OF PIERRE TEILHARD DE CHARDIN

The American Teilhard Association, since its foundation in 1967, is committed to making the thought and vision of Teilhard more widely available. The Association seeks to bring an encompassing perspective to this great task of shaping the well-being of the Earth community at a time when so many disintegrating forces are at work. Teilhard’s vision of the sequential evolution of the universe provides a firm and inspiring basis upon which to envision a sustainable future. This vision flows through his unified narrative of the evolutionary sequence of the emerging universe – the galaxies, the solar system, the Earth with its living forms, human history, and humanity’s place in the evolving cosmos. This narrative from its origin to the human phenomenon can provide a firm and inspiring basis upon which to proceed. Now, for the first time, humanity is converging towards a new unity in diversity in shaping a multiform planetary civilization. To assist in this work, the Association, since its foundation in 1967, has sponsored annual conferences, lecture series, and a variety of publications. Learn More.

THE LIFE OF PIERRE TEILHARD DE CHARDIN

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was born on May 1st, 1881 to Emmanuel and Berthe-Adele Teilhard de Chardin. While both of his parental lineages were distinguished, it is noteworthy that his mother was the great grandniece of Francois-Marie Arouet, more popularly known as Voltaire. He was the fourth of the couple’s eleven children and was born at the family estate of Sarcenat near the twin cities of Clermont-Ferrand in the ancient province of Auvergne. The long extinct volcanic peaks of Auvergne and the forested preserves of this southern province left an indelible mark on Teilhard.
Learn more.