Boring Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism developed as a life philosophy and approach to religion in the early 1800s. It arose from the New England Congregationalists who differed from the orthodox Calvinism of the times. The Transcendentalists believe in the unity of God rather than in the Trinity of God. Unlike the Calvinists, they who believed the sinful nature of humans was set before birth, they believed in the innocence of childhood as a model for adults. They also believed that the miracles of the Bible were a physical reality, unlike the Rationalists of the time, who only believed that which they could deduce from logic and intelligence. Transcendentalist philosophy drew from the Hindu tradition and other religions. Many prominent authors and thinkers of the time became Transcendentalists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and the family of Louisa May Alcott. Transcendentalism is the religious and philosophical culture of people believing both people and nature have greatness inside. Transcendentalists believed that society and its institutions, particularly organized religion and political parties, and ultimately corrupted the purity of the person. They had faith that people are at their best when they truly "self-reliant" and independent and that it is only from such real individuals that true community could be formed. Although they were few, the Transcendentalists have had a long-lasting effect on America. One of the most famous Transcendentalists was Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau was an abolitionist, naturalist, poet, writer, and one of the leading Transcendentalists. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts as David Henry Thoreau in July 12th, 1817. Thoreaus parents were

John Thoreau (a pencil maker) and Cynthia Dunbar. He had two older siblings, Helen and John Jr., and a younger sister, Sophia. He studied at Harvard University between 1833 and 1837. Thoreau wasnt interested in most of the subjects at Harvard, so after graduating he opened a grammar school with his brother John. After John died of tetanus, he returned to Concord and met Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson told Thoreau that he should contribute to essays and local newspapers. Thoreaus first essay consisted of revised pages from his journal, which he wrote in following Emersons advice. On April 18th, 1841, Thoreau moved to Ralph Emersons home. He served as a tutor, assistant, and gardener. Thoreau moved back to Concord and worked in his fathers pencil factory. He worked there most of the rest of his life. Thoreau needed to concentrate and work more on his writing. He built a cabin on the shores of Walden Pond. Thoreau was arrested for not paying his taxes on July 25th, 1846. After he left jail, Thoreau self-published Maines Woods, yet only 300 copies were sold. Thoreau left Walden Pond to live at Emersons home again. In 1854, he published Walden, a reflection on the two years he spent in the woods. Thoreaus health started to decline after 1858. On May 6th, 1862, Henry David Thoreau passed away at age 44. His last words were, Now comes good sailing. Although his life was brief, Thoreaus writings and ideals remain influential today. His writings introduce many people to the concepts of Transcendentalism. The Transcendentalist movement faded not long after Thoreaus death, but influenced the development of utopian communities and movements such as non-violent protests and the Civil Rights Movement. Even colleges that promote self-understanding and community activism, such as Evergreen State College, have echoes of Transcendentalism.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about Transcendentalism. While I admire Thoreau as naturalist and someone who lived his beliefs, I think the Transcendentalists had strange mix of Christianity and Eastern mysticism that seems confused and garbled. I also feel that Emerson almost brain-washed Thoreau at a point in his life when he was open to influence. While I like Emerson also, I wonder if Thoreau would have held to Transcendentalism without a mentor leading him into it. I also have a hard time understanding why a man as gifted as Thoreau would work most of his life in a pencil factory. Perhaps, in summary, the involvement with the Transcendentalist movement finally helped Thoreau transcend the dull reality of workday life. Blah Blah Blah Blkagh Blah