“A man in debt is so far a slave” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the early 1800s a philosophical movement took root in the Eastern United States. It began due to the disapproval against the intellectualism and spirituality during that time.
It’s characteristics were:
1) Self Reliance
2) A connection to nature
To transcend the real world one must contemplate nature.
Everything is a reflection of God.
Instead of being a follower one was better off entertaining the idea of individualism and self-reliance.
True feelings and intuition were superior to book knowledge.
Instinct would give one a better understanding of God’s Spirit.
It was an American literary, political and philosophical movement. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote about Transcendentalism in great depth. Other noted authors were Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, Amos Bronson Alcott, Frederic Henry Hedge, and Theodore Parker.
Transcendentalists believed one should cut ties with organized religion and politics and become an independent thinker in order to achieve their best. It was also believed that organized religion and political parties led to the corruption of the purity of an individual.
“Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind”- Ralph Waldo Emerson
However Transcendentalism relied heavily on an individual’s cognitive ability or intuition. It was thought that those trying to yield to conformity at the time, became unhappy and dissatisfied.
Is Transcendentalism still in existence today?
That is a good question. There are those that say yes and there are plenty of no votes. It obviously isn’t as popular as it was in the nineteenth century.
Simplicity can be seen by acts of individual kindness and honesty. The importance of nature has not faded through the years. It is alive and well in today’s world. The beauty of nature still inspires and awakens the spirit of many individuals. Self-reliance and confidence isn’t as prevalent as it used to be but still exists to some degree. As far as nonconformity it is pretty much nonexistent but can be found in the “preppers” and those who choose to sell everything and live off the grid and become self reliant.
If you would like to learn more about Transcendentalism I urge you to read Essays and Poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Be kind to everyone and spread the love.