Transcendentalism Beliefs

In general, Transcendentalism started out as a protest against the notion of spirituality and intellectualism in the society of the time. This was an age of reason and rationalist way of thought. According to the original members of Transcendentalism, such kind of religious and political beliefs were distorting the purity of people. During its initial phases, it was based on numerous sources, including German idealism, Romantic poetry, Hindu texts and several other religious beliefs.

It was sometimes seen as a reaction against Unitarianism, a Christian sect which believed that there was one god, not the ‘Holy Trinity’ as was professed by other Christian religions of the time. In truth, Transcendentalism was greatly inspired by this movement. However, it wanted to focus more on the spiritual aspects and less on the rigid and sober rationalism of the Unitarians. Most importantly, perhaps, was their shared rejection of the concept of ‘original sin’.

As a guiding principle, followers of Transcendentalism believed that an individual is at his best when he is independent and self-reliant. There are other basic principles and beliefs defined by Transcendentalism. Some of them include:

Idealism: One key value of Transcendentalist beliefs is idealism. There was an age of Romanticism before Transcendentalism and after the age of reason. This age was very much similar to the British Romantics, as it focused on imagination and creativity. This was something which had little to do with the age of reason. Transcendentalism focused on the idealist way of thinking and continued using imaginative and innovative ideas from the Romantic Movement. Followers of Transcendentalism tried to break away from the confines of reasoning and brought the society into a more enjoyable and ideal way of living.

Love for Nature: Followers of Transcendentalism were nature lovers and did not believe that it should be controlled by anyone. They believed that the only thing an individual can control is his or her own state of mind. If a person is able to make a strong bond with nature, they can achieve complete understanding of their own soul. This can successfully lead to a happy, peaceful, free life. They thought that everything in nature is connected and whatever happens, happens for a reason. Since nature is the prime source, humans should never interfere with its working and let everything happen as per God’s intentions.

Embracement of Spirituality: Transcendentalists did not follow any organized religion, yet they were very spiritual believers. Many of their values are based on Hindu teachings and spiritual doctrines. Despite their strong religious beliefs, they viewed spirituality as essential for pure life. This idea of spirituality was primarily influenced by literature from East Asia and the sacred written works of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. They believed in cosmic unity and the ultimate connection between Transcendentalist values and every living thing.

Individualism: Followers of Transcendentalism believed organized institutions of society, like political and religious orders, caused a negative impact on an individual’s innocent mindset. An individual is at his best when he is self-reliant and entirely independent. They strongly alleged that thinking about oneself without adhering to the social rules is a fundamental tenet of happy living. This concept allows an individual to have their own thought process, and follow their own values, rather than those of others.

The metaphysical: While some followers of Transcendentalism were Christians, others were not. A key value of Transcendentalism was the celebration of sex, body and physical appetite. They had an idealized view of physical bodies, along with a higher sense of metaphysical understanding. This is, the understanding of fundamental questions of being and existence.

Personal vision: According to the followers of Transcendentalism, an individual who follows his personal vision and intuition becomes an idealistic and moral person. This kind of attitude aimed at bringing changes in the society and removing evil from the masses. They also supported the elimination of slavery.

Optimism: While the followers of Transcendentalism viewed society as a wasting institution due to politics and lack of spirituality, their writings generally have an optimistic view towards everything. Transcendentalists criticized society and were morally disgusted with it, but they believed that individual members of the society are good and should serve their purpose on earth during their short life.

Aside from Unitarianism, Transcendentalism beliefs were influenced by four main tenets. Let’s talk about them:

1. Neo-Platonism: This influence gave preference to intellectual mindset over materialism. We spend our entire lives perfecting ourselves and our surroundings with an aim to achieve ideal existence. Transcendental knowledge has limitations, because we can understand a thing only if we can perceive it. If we are unable to perceive something, it does not exist at all. Some German Transcendentalists believed that if we cannot perceive something, it does not mean it has no existence.
2. British Romanticism: Romantics like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth gave preference to individual over community and advocated individual vision and ideas over are rules of social institutions. All political, social, economic and religious institutions are materialistic, false and devastating for a person’s innocence and insight. Personal insight and intuition are the privileged sources of knowledge. Individuality was considered to be a right given by God.
3. Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg: Emanuel Swedenborg was a Swedish mystic-philosopher who believed in the ultimate unity of God. He was a strong critic of restrictions imposed on people by society and institutions. He advocated visionary approach towards knowledge and life.
4. Hinduism: Transcendentalists were greatly influenced by Hinduism and its ideas. They studied Hindu texts of philosophy, spirituality and mind, and had a deep understanding of the Upanishads. They also followed many of the philosophical principles and values mentioned in Hindu texts. Upanishads are perhaps the most important literature of the Indian culture and religions, and play a great role in ancient India’s spiritual development. They are the Sanskrit texts containing some very important philosophical ideas and concepts of Hinduism.

Some of the major figures associated with Transcendentalism were Amos Bronson Alcott, Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Other notable contributors were Walt Whitman, William Henry Furness, John Sullivan Dwight, Charles Timothy Brooks, George Ripley and Frederic Henry Hedge. These were thinkers, poets, writers, journalists as well as even members of the clergy and politicians. Transcendentalism was probably the first major intellectual movement in America. It inspired many succeeding intellectual generations of the country, along with a number of literary movements. Some Hindus also were in turn influenced by Transcendentalism, including Ram Mohan Roy who rejected the Hindu mythology and followed Unitarianism.

Followers of Transcendentalism celebrated America as self-reliant and individual. They made progressive steps towards women’s rights, reform, education and abolition. They were strong criticizers of the government, industrialization, laws, organized religion and social institutions. They created a mindset in which imagination was treated as superior to reason, and creativity as better than theory.

Transcendentalists were more inclined towards action, as compared to contemplation alone. They believed that everything will eventually be positive, because a human being has the capability to transcend beyond his limits and achieve astonishing heights. They had a core belief in the inherent kindness of nature and, by extension, people. They believed that society and social institutions corrupt an individual’s purity, who can be at his best when he is allowed independence and self-reliance.

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