Cosmic view of the relationship between Nature and humanity – Transcendentalism

Student Name Professor Name Course Date Cosmic View of the Relationship between Nature and Humanity– Transcendentalism Introduction American transcendentalism is a political, literary, and philosophical movement that emerged during the first half of the 19th century. It was spearheaded by such prominent figures as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau, Amos Bronson Alcott, Theodore Parker, and Elizabeth Palmer. The main idea behind American transcendentalism is that there is a direct relationship between God and nature and that God is the origin of everything found in nature. Therefore, authors and philosophers such as Thoreau wrote multiple publications calling for humans to become one with nature as was initially intended. Their works make it possible to explore the cosmic view of the relationship between nature and humanity, especially when paying attention to transcendentalism. Their teachings reveal that if humans can find their place within nature, they can become more fulfilled or whole and have a better relationship with God. Henry David Thoreau published Walden in 1854, a memoir reflecting on his simple living in natural surroundings. In Chapter 2, Thoreau reflects on his life and realizes that “I had been a rich man without any damage to my poverty” (107). Essentially, this realization comes only when Thoreau interacts with nature and realizes its abundance that triumphs over all material possessions. Thoreau had positioned himself where he would experience nature far from modern life. According to Walden, he expresses that the real attraction of the farm was “its complete retirement, being about two miles from the village, half a mile from the nearest neighbor, and separated from the highway by a broad field; its bounding river” (107). The best way to experience nature is to completely isolate oneself from the modern world. The cosmic view of the relationship between nature and humanity is only discernible when individuals interact with nature. Like Thoreau’s idea of isolating oneself from modern life, Emerson believes that solitude requires one to retire as much from home as from society (Emerson 2). However, Emerson is keen to express that most people only associate with the superficial notion of nature, meaning they do not fully understand it. In many cases, people will associate nature with such aspects as charming landscapes. To Emerson, the truth is that not many people see nature. He expresses that most people do not see the sun, or they at least see it superficially. Such people do not realize that the sun illuminates the eye and shines into the heart. Lovers of nature are those whose inward and outward senses are genuinely adjusted to each other and who retain the spirit of infancy even into adulthood. Engaging with nature means developing an intimate relationship with heaven and earth, which should nourish and remove sorrows. Nature is perceived by these authors as a key ingredient in humanity’s existence despite humanity constantly defying nature. Indeed, nature is supposed to be abundant and blessed, meaning that humanity needs and has everything from nature. The Norton Anthology of American Literature, a poem by Philip Freneau titled On the Religion of Nature expresses that with nature, humanity is blessed and that nature bestows religion with the rest (Levine and Gustafson). In this case, nature and religion work hand in hand to provide humans with the answers they seek regarding their existence. The poet also remarks on how religion and nature provide joy to humans instead of the perpetual grief that people often face. Essentially, nature and religion are intricately intertwined to shape humanity. Indeed, several poets have attempted to draw the link between nature and spirituality and how the human body or existence fits into that mix. Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself is one of the many publications used by transcendentalists to il...