Some Fundamentals

The Transcendentalism of Walph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and their circle is a spiritual practice based on direct personal encounters with the infinite. It holds that life's daily experiences – from loving, parenting, working, and simply being outdoors – also hold spiritual meaning that can be discovered and explored to enrich life.

Because Transcendentalism is a self-defined religious practice, there are no systems to study, no languages to learn, no organizations to join and no dues to pay. Transcendentalism is simplicity itself, and it can serve as a welcome alternative to the many complex religious systems that compete for our attention today.

Transcendental practice is . . .

Built on direct encounters with the infinite. As Emerson wrote in his essay, Nature:

 

"If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile."

Free of dogma, systems and self-proclaimed authorities. Consider these words from Thoreau's Walden:

 

"No doubt another may also think for me; but it is not therefore desirable that he should do so to the exclusion of my thinking for myself."

 

Self-defined. From Emerson's essay Self-Reliance:

"Whoso would be a man [or woman - ed.] must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the authority of your own mind."

Simple and modest. Again, from Walden . . .

"Most of the luxuries, and many of the so called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind."

Transcendentalism has not gone away. Americans still practice it, though they may not call it by its name. It is our sleeping spiritual giant. When it is called by its name and invited back into our lives, it has the potential to transform the way we think about our lives and our faith.

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[Hilary Chaney]

See my new transcendentalist blog at http://graduatingfromgod.blogspot.com/