Hello Readers!
This blog is a part of a thinking activity given by MS Vaidehi Hairyani Mam.
What is transcendentalism?
It’s all about spirituality. Transcendentalism is a philosophy that began in the mid-19th century and whose founding members included Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. It centers around the belief that spirituality cannot be achieved through reason and rationalism, but instead through self-reflection and intuition. In other words, transcendentalists believe spirituality isn’t something you can explain; it’s something you feel. A transcendentalist would argue that going for a walk in a beautiful place would be a much more spiritual experience than reading a religious text.
Truth.
Transcendentalists believe that one's own inner light comes from knowledge; therefore, trascendentalists are constantly seeking to gain a deeper truth about themselves and the world around them. This is where a new idea comes into play. Science. Transcendentalism helped bridge the gap between a faith based society, and one that relys on science. It encorporated ideas of science, but it did not place all faith in the scientific understanding of the world.
Intuition.
Not only do trascendentalists place importance on science, but much of their ideas are based upon one's intuition; the idea that the truth can be found through one's intution.
Individual.
Great importance is placed on the individual. Not only are all individuals important to themselves, but all individuals are important to each other. This fostered the idea of respect towards each person.
Main Principles
Origins
The transcendentalist movemement began as a reaction to strict traditions and laws at the time. As opposed to the Calvinist belief that the outcome of all human lives are predetermined, transcendentalists believe in the improvement of the individual and the search for inner truth. Romanticism, a movement that had developed prior to the trascendentalist movement, opposed Calvinism as well. Both the trascendentalist and romanticist movement emphasized the importance of the individual.
Most Important Authors
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson began his adult life as a Unitarian minister. He completed his studies at Harvard. As a child, he was greatly influenced by his aunt who introduced him to concepts such as the ideas of Hinduism. Emerson brought ideas of science, mysticism, and Eastern religions into the transcendentalist movement.
Emerson's background as a minister greatly helped spread the ideas of transcendentalism. He preached in many churches, so many people were inclined to believe him. Emerson travelled a lot which encouraged the spread of trascendental ideas.
One of Emerson's most prominent works was "The American Scholar." In this famous essay, he encouraged Americans to be proud of themselves and to stop looking elsewhere for ideas and inspiration.
Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau placed great emphasis on the importance of nature in one's life. For two years of his life, Thoreau lived in a hut he built on Walden Pond. He later wrote a book called Walden which described his experiences while living amongst nature. He also wrote an essay called "Civil Disobedience." The main purpose of this essay was that one's own conscience should be held at a higher priority than the law.
These authors, along with others, were part of The Transcendental Club. The group met in Boston at the home of George Ripley. They started a publication known as The Dial which was edited by Margaret Fuller. Fuller was a radical feminist at the time.
Q.1 Transcendentalists talks about Individual’s relation with Nature. What is Nature for you? Share your views.
What do i think of nature? Ummm. Well, I am immersed in nature. I am in total awe of nature. I move and act and enjoy my being in nature. I also see ,in,of and through nature. We are part of it. After our ultimate demise we will feed it,therefore renewing nature through our sacrifice..Nature is one of that who gives me a reason to live happily,to live with enthusiasm.Our definition of nature is changing with times.Because when i was child for me nature is like tree,sea,sky,mountain and all these things.But slowly and steadily the definition is changing according to my maturity level.Sometimes i feel that nature for me is myself.
Q.2 Transcendentalism is an American Philosophy that influenced American Literature at length. Can you find any Indian/Regional literature or Philosophy came up with such similar thought?
I found a novel by Gujarati writer Dhruv Bhatt that consist this idea of Transcendentalism.The name of the novel is “Atarapi”
A story from a dog's mouth. Known but not very popular concept in Gujarati literature. Dogs can speak and communicate with humans!!! But that's the difference between fact and fiction.
With the help of two dog characters Saarmey and Kauleyak, author has portrayed two souls walking on the path of moksha. One is following all kind of spirituality preached by various gurus. Other believes just in staying normal and doing what its heart says. No one is wrong but at the end we understand that why so much of penance sometimes does't take you much higher. Lot of spirituality is told from the dog's mouth.
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