Teilhard de Chardin - Seven Stages of Suffering

This profound book is based on an essay by Teilhard on the meaning and constructive value of suffering, where he sees suffering as containing a potential energy that can be transformed into the ascensional force of the world. His vision is that suffering transformed into a shared longing for healing could hasten the advent of the kingdom of God. In the introduction, the authors give an account of Teilhard's own suffering. It is easy to forget the opposition of the Church to his work that not only resulted in none of his major work being published during his lifetime, but also long periods of exile and isolation, even during his last few years in New York. His body was buried without ceremony in a grave with a stone that did not even have his full name engraved - an extraordinary reflection, given the influence of his work over the last 60 years.

The basic structure is given by seven stages of suffering based on resistance, transformation and union. The fundamental propositions at the beginning of the book are that pain and suffering are inevitable, that we are called to participate actively in God's evolutionary project, that human suffering can generate energy for this, and that Christian spirituality is represented by the cross. As the book moves through the various stages, readers are given instructions about how to transform the energy of suffering and focus it on a particular person or healing. There are moving prayers and examples of practice. The whole process takes place within what Teilhard called Le Milieu Divin in which we have our being. There are times when people have to move beyond the hope of cure to healing in a wider sense and can use their suffering in the service of growth. Suffering can involve an enormous expenditure of energy, and with a little focus this can be redirected. One woman, while she was dying, put up a Care Page on the Internet, where she encouraged people in a similar situation to be grateful for small things. The final chapter culminates in detachment and forgiveness as one moves into the transition of death. This book is an important spiritual resource for the suffering and dying.