Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement that occurred over the Nineteenth Century that originated in New England. These transcendentalists strived for society to become different from the current situation they were in. They had hopes of starting a new and successful movement. It developed into more of a literature and artistic movement rather than a spiritual one, like previous and latter movements.
They believed in the goodness of both man and nature with little reference to spiritual beliefs and ideas. Transcendentalists opposed organized religion and government, because they believed that man was at his best when he was self-reliant. Because they were so against groups and organizations, only a few people could successfully form a community in their eyes. They weren’t the kind to consider themselves a part of any group, but somehow they all became a part of Transcendentalism, although it didn’t last long.
The video below goes into a little detail about the 'Legacy of the Transcendentalists' and what they believed to be true, and where they found their source of God. I take no credit for the information delivered and no responsibility for the unnecessary background music. However, I think it does provide a good sense of information and quotes from popular transcendentalists.
The central belief of these people was that by bathing oneself in nature, man will gain a better understanding of society through concentration. Their motto was “Simplicity is key”. Five direct beliefs I found include:
1. Everything is a reflection of God, including nature and people.
2. Society is what keeps people from a higher spiritual level, while nature enhances it.
3. Knowledge isn't needed; instinct alone will lead a person to God.
4. Self-reliance is better than being dependent, with references to government.
5. True feelings are more valuable than book knowledge.
“Walden”, by Henry David Thoreau was a project that was originally inspired by this transcendental philosophy. In the “Economy” piece, Thoreau illustrates the benefits of a simple lifestyle, having only the few necessities for survival (what people need vs. what they think they need). In “Brute Neighbors”, he takes the time to experience and enjoy nature at its finest and the wildlife surrounding him (things most people fail to notice in their everyday lives). The picture below is an actual replica of what Thoreau’s cabin closely resembled at Walden Pond, along with a sign and statue located now at the State Reservation.
Thoreau’s goal for this Walden experiment was to see if he could survive without unnecessary luxuries, while living in reduced conditions. This experiment is a true example of Transcendentalism because he isolated himself from civilization, took on nature, and overcame obstacles to find self-fulfillment. This works because their beliefs are only realized through individual intuition rather than established religions or doctrines. The belief that one can find God without the help of others, through simplistic beauty of the natural world, is recognized here.
Below is a famous quote from Thoreau that directly relates to the Transcendentalist beliefs and the reason behind his own project. It states that he wanted to see what all he was missing out on by focusing on the inessential things of the world, when he should be focusing on the essentials. By doing this, he may discover that he had, in a sense, not yet fully lived.
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