6Despite the fact that tremendous strides have been made to reduce human suffering and efforts to alleviate human anguish continue onward, we are still living in an unfinished, evolving world filled with pain, frustration, loss, grief, and adversity. Based on the spirituality of Teilhard de Chardin, this book addresses the question: How are those who suffer called to live with and understand their pain? This book shows how it is possible that those who suffer can, by transforming the tremendous potential energy hidden in their pain, become coworkers with God in bringing our world to more fullness of life, even as they suffer. With the new spirituality presented in Teilhard de Chardin--Seven Stages of Suffering, one realizes that the very principle and purpose of human life on Earth has shifted from a traditional focus on saving your soul and getting to heaven, to one of contributing one's whole life and efforts--including our suffering and pain--to God's grand evolutionary project +