Heart of Matter: The Human Arrow
May 30, 2023//
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
“Teilhard de Chardin did not see the human person lost or insignificant in light of evolution; rather, he saw the human person as the arrow of evolution, the self-conscious “mind” of evolution, one who influences the direction of evolution.”
Ilia Delio, Making All Things New
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“Teilhard de Chardin no veía a la persona humana como perdida o irrelevante a la luz de la evolución, sino como la flecha misma de la evolución, como la “mente” autoconsciente de la propia evolución, que es capaz incluso de influir en su dirección.”
Ilia Delio, Making All Things New
What is being asked?
What is being moved?
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Can’t argue in principle with Teilhard’s “arrow” metaphor, but it may need a qualifier. Only if the arrow of mind is placed in the right position on the broadband (bow/arc) of consciousness possibilities is a thought, word, or deed able to sally forth with the greatest accuracy (truth) and power (inspiration). An arrow placed in any other position on the arc/spectrum of (human) consciousness is subject to error, and so apt to falter, be delayed, or arrested in its trajectory, development or evolution. Such becomes relegated to the commonplace or pedestrian broadband of universal mortal thinking and beliefs, the lot of all but relatively few.
In “Don Quixote,” the English translation I read has Sancho Panza say, “All comparisons are odorous.” I think the original idea was that “all comparisons are odious,” but Sancho is protrayed as somewhat ignorant. At any rate, if the person is an arrow (with high intelligence), someone must shoot it, and I infer that someone is God, the ultimate mystery who knows all and intends the best for all creation. I don’t know the context of Chardin’s metaphorical statement. It strikes me as bold and graphically simple, not as tentative and qualified as I imagine a scientific mind would likely make.
How do I influence the direction of evolution? By loving all of creation? What should I be doing? What once was called the corporal works of mercy. Thank you for your work, your books, your courage your wisdom?