Transcendentalism - An Intellectual Movement

Hello readers...

This Blog is the part of my classroom thinking activity. In this blog I would like to talk about one important American theory

Transcendentalism.

So firstly we throw some light on this theory.

What is Transcendentalism?

Transcendentalism is a very formal word that describes a very simple idea. People, men and women equally, have knowledge about themselves and the world around them that "transcends" or goes beyond what they can see, hear, taste, touch or feel.

Transcendentalism is a way of life. It was a literary, religious, and philosophical movement. One of its fundamental concepts was the quest for truth. It was not a formalized system, as it was based upon ideas from group of writers and thinkers sharing similar interests and outlooks on life. 

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. 

Most Important Authors:-

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 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.

Impact:-

-Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience" led to further ideas that one should do the right thing even if that goes against the law. These ideas influenced people such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. 

-Equality movement's today can be traced back to the transcendental movement's emphasis on the individual. 

-The transcendental movement led to the increased development of intellectual thought. 

Here is my interpretation on questions which is given in activity:-

1)Transcendentalists talks about Individual’s relation with Nature. What is Nature for you? Share your views.

what should I write about nature beacuse I am in love with nature. When I will near the nature I  stop my mind thinking about everything and I find peace from this illusionary world.  I find the what kind of exact meaning of my life. When someone times I tired from the some things and peoples arounding me I went to near the nature and I got peace there and my heart fill up with happiness. 

 Transedentalist believed that nature is sacred, and that it is imperative for individuals to connect with nature. Transcendentalists were lovers of nature, and did not think it was something that could be controlled by anyone.Everything humans have needed to survive, and thrive, was provided by the natural world around us: food, water, medicine, materials for shelter, and even natural cycles such as climate and nutrients.

I must say that When you're in nature, you don't have to look in mirrors. Instead, you're either focused on the setting around you, or on what you are doing, like climbing, setting up a tent, or gardening. Studies show that people's body image improves when we spend time in nature, and I think this is part of the reason why.

Nature calls you back to reality. You can't stop it from raining. You can't delay the setting sun. You can't set the temperature to a comfortable 70 degrees. If you're climbing a mountain, your muscles are going to burn. You remember that hardship and lack of control are part of life, and accepting this reality makes it not only bearable, but possible to feel the joy of being alive.

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?

 Yes I find transedentalism theory in one religion book  "The Bhagavad Gita". It was said that Ralph Waldo Emerson was a highly influenced by Bhagvas Gita.Emerson was particularly struck by the teachings of Bhagavad Gita, “the first of books,” as he once called it . He wrote about the Gita that “In England the Understanding rules & materialistic truth, the becoming, the fit, the discreet, the brave, the advantageous But they could not produce such a book as the Bhagavat Geeta”. The Gita is an ancient Sanskrit text comprising of verses embellished with many literary devices such as allegory, metaphor, and allusion. It is a record of conversations between Bhagavan or God, in the form of Krishna, and Arjuna, a human. Arjuna is a ksatriya warrior of the Pandava family and Krishna is his cousin and the driver of his chariot. In the battle field, Arjuna sees many of his relatives in the opposing force and, being overcome by pity, he refuges to fight. Krishna then tries to make him realize the importance of fighting. He also reminds him of his obligation to follow his dharma or duty and to ignore his personal feelings. Krishna sends this message to the mankind through Arjuna, as does Christ through his twelve disciples. Krishna says: “Though unborn, for the Atman [soul] is eternal, though Lord of all beings, yet using my own nature, I come into existence using my own maya.” Krishna sends himself through human beings to save people from adharma, ruin of morality and justice. He says, “For whenever there is a decaying of dharma, and a rising up of adharma, then I send Myself forth” . This idea resonates with Emerson’s emphasis on intuition and conscience. In the essay “Over-Soul,” he writes that we, as individual souls, are part the Greater or Over-Soul. We do not have to go to church to be united with the Over-Soul because our intuition can illuminate our spiritual world like the flashes of light. Here, Emerson seems to be influenced by the teachings of the Upanisad and the Gita that nirguna [higher] Brahman, or what Emerson calls the Over-Soul, is manifested through human beings. 

In Bhagvad Gita we find this American theory in such good way.It seems to us like an advisor.we also follow many thinking of Bhagvad Gita in our daily life. It help to get us to the facts of our life. It's help to get and find us real meaning of our life.

Thank you...