The Selected Writings of Louis Lavelle
translated by Robert Jones
Louis Lavelle (1883-1951)
—French philosopher, especially popular in France during the 30’s and 40’s of the last century. Many of his writings, like his articles in the Paris Times (Le Temps) and his book Self-Consciousness (La conscience de soi), seem to have been intended mainly for popular consumption. His major philosophical opus is The Dialectic of the Eternal Present (La Dialectique de l’éternal présent), the second volume of which—Of the Act (De l’Acte)—is often considered his central work. It appears in full for the first time in English translation on this website.
Like his German contemporary, Martin Heidegger, Lavelle’s focus is Being. But unlike Heidegger, he treats Being in religious terms, consistent with his Catholic faith. At the same time his penetrating observations can stand alone as insights valid for every reader.
The Act of Presence
These early translations of selected chapters from Lavelle’s main works appeared over a twenty year period in the Association Louis Lavelle website. Unfortunately, work on the texts was suspended when the Association came to an end in 2019 and no further translations could be added.
Of the Act
Regarded by many as Lavelle’s central opus, Robert Jones began translating it early in this century for inclusion in the Association Louis Lavelle website. When the Association disbanded in 2019, he put the project aside until he was urged by Professor James G. Hart to resume it. The translation was completed in 2025. The “Act” in question is the "Act of Being".
The Selected Writings of Robert Jones
Original Works
A study of heightened consciousness in the western spiritual tradition, it takes up the "self-remembering" teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff, the viveka texts of Patanjali, the practice of wakeful prayer by the monks of Mount Athos, the gnostic teachings of Thomas, and the all-night prayer vigils of the Old Testament and the traditional Gospels. The study concludes with in-depth reflexions on self-known awareness and the immediate sense of Being, under the heading of “Towards a Philosophy of Consciousness”. Guidelines for the daily practice of self-aware living are provided.
The Selected Poetry of Robert Jones
Haiku Nature
An in-depth study of Japanese haiku, with emphasis on the traditional Japanese experience of nature. Most of the chapters were published as articles in periodicals like Modern Haiku and Cha no yu before being accepted as parts of a successful doctorate thesis in 1993.
Other Haiku and Renga
Robert Alan Jones (b. 1945)
—American-born Australian poet, novelist, translator and author of texts on comparative literature. His works have appeared in America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France and Romania.
A longtime teacher of aikido and mindfulness meditation, he is also an ardent conservationist and has maintained the Mission Beach arboretum for twenty years.