Evening Thoughts: Reflecting on Earth as Sacred Community

by Thomas Berry, Mary Evelyn Tucker (Editor)

Essays on our spiritual role in the fate of the planet from “the most provocative figure among the new breed of eco-theologians” ( Newsweek ). Among the contemporary voices for the Earth, none resonates like that of cultural historian Thomas Berry. His teaching and writings have inspired a generation’s thinking about humankind’s place in the Earth community and the universe, engendering widespread critical acclaim and a documentary film on his life and work. This new collection of essays, from various years and occasions, expands and deepens ideas articulated in his earlier writings and also breaks new ground. Berry opens our eyes to the full dimensions of the ecological crisis, framing it as a crisis of spiritual vision. Applying his formidable erudition in cultural history, science, and comparative religions, he forges a compelling narrative of creation and communion that reconciles modern evolutionary thinking and traditional religious insights concerning our integral role in Earth’s society. While sounding an urgent alarm at our current dilemma, Berry inspires us to reclaim our role as the consciousness of the universe and thereby begin to create a true partnership with the Earth community. With Evening Thoughts , this wise elder has lit another beacon to lead us home. “Thomas Berry is an exemplar in a tradition that includes a diverse group of spiritually radiant individuals (Gandhi, the monk Thomas Merton, the Lakota elder Black Elk), visionaries (Jacques Ellul, Terry Tempest Williams, Rachel Carson), and writers (Wendell Berry, Gary Snyder, Rebecca Solnit, Loren Eiseley).” ―Barry Lopez, author of Arctic Dreams

Genres: Spirituality, Nature, Ecology, Philosophy, Essays, Nonfiction, Religion

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there’s an overriding theme that emerges from this book, primarily about earth’s environmental crisis, it is that we have lost our awareness of the earth, and the universe for that matter, as a “communion” of objects. Once we lose that sense of connectedness then we are on a path to destruction.

The book is divided into three sections. The first describes the magnitude of our current ecological crisis and its causes which accelerated immensely with the beginnings of the industrial revolution and its always growing need for more natural resources, particularly petroleum, an ultimately limited resource. That combined with capitalism which relies on unlimited growth is unsustainable. The second section highlights some of our specific challenges, and the third turns to evolution as a context in which to situate the human.

Humans have to realize that the awesome complexity of life forms on the planet earth came about completely independently of human participation. If it is to continue, than humans will have to synchronize their actions with other life forms. If they don’t, the result will be a downward spiral toward the ultimate simplicity off final death for all life forms, including humans.

One principle that Berry states is that of “nonlocal causality” in which every atom is in contact and influencing every other atom in the universe. This seems like an illogical notion, and in fact it makes no sense in a linear rational way., but Berry claims that observations in quantum physics supports the idea.

Berry in particular emphasizes the role of religion in our current crisis. In the past it has been mostly mute on our relationship with other forms of life. One key reason he gives for this attitude, at least in the West, is due to the period of the Black Death in the 14th and 15th centuries. The belief in an after world redemption tends to deemphasize what happens in this world. To be redeemed and “saved” out of this world of suffering was the hope held up to believers. The notion of a personal responsibility for creating and sustaining life in the present was downplayed. What could be called creation theology, in other words, was subsumed by redemption theology. This led to the split between science and religion, still ongoing today

Berry concludes that a lasting harmony only emerges when we share our possessions with others. That is the structure of the universe – every living being dies, and in its death it gives , or shares of, itself to others. The task of humanity is accomplish this goal, a challenging one that requires imagination and creativity in realizing our limited and shared role of sharing in the process of an ever evolving planet.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few weeks ago, I read and reviewed "Cosmogenesis," by Brian Thomas Swimme. I pretty much damned it with faint praise, but mentioned I was going to check in on his mentor, Thomas Berry. I have, and I've been moved by Father Berry's exegesis of the cosmic order, and of our place in that order.

Evening Thoughts: Reflecting on Earth as a Sacred Community, is a collection of directed essays that advance the notion of a cosmo-genesis, with a story that includes humanity, but is not human-centric. It's the same story his mentee has to tell, only without the angst of memoir, or the hyperbole of conversion.

If you can accept the notion that there is intelligence without thought, as in the intelligence of a plant as it bends toward the sun, then the idea of an intelligent universe is not a great leap. Fr. Berry's contention is that the expansion and development of the universe (which means all things in it) has been as inevitable as a plant's turn toward the sun. The universe is an order, and it is in order, and we are an intrinsic part of the whole. Not only that, but for whatever reason, we are the only creatures we know of capable of studying and reflecting upon this awesome creation. (Awesome, as in, generative of fear and trembling for the nature of its grandeur and power.)

Night Thoughts has been an eye opening read, and I recommend it to anyone who accepts creation as a wonder to behold.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays reflection on the our community with the earth. Many of the essays look at issues of ethics, religion, politics and ecology and the writing at times is a bit dense. I did love the ideas about living in community with the earth and about our insepreable link to this planet.

[David Kessler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather dated but pertinent. Enjoying reading it but as science has marched forward some of his comments or philosophies are no longer useable.

[John Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although written almost 20 years ago, Berry's point has not changed and, sadly, neither has Mankind's ignorance of the subject.