LITR 5535: American Romanticism
 
Sample Student Research Project 2005

Gina Pendola           

April 25, 2005

“Is Transcendentalism still alive?”: A Comparison of “Nature,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson And “The Science of Mind,” Ernest Holmes

            “Nature is the symbol of spirit.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nature”, 493

            “Nature herself is the body of God.” Ernest Holmes, Science of Mind, 42

            While reading “Nature,” published 1836, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, its message echoed of a previously read, perhaps equally magnificent writing entitled, “The Science of Mind,” by Ernest Holmes, published 1927. Upon further research, I found a quote in which Ernest Holmes states, “Reading Emerson is like drinking water to me.” This has been an important discovery for me because I’ve often wondered, if any more modern thinkers and philosophers have expanded on Emerson’s thoughts, if that was, in fact, Ernest Holmes’ intentions. Has the notion of Transcendentalism and the sparks of thought it ignited, died out just as fiercely as it had started, as many have predicted, or is  Transcendentalism still alive?

Transcendentalism:

            The surest way to interpret and relay the Transcendentalist teachings to others would be to misinterpret it, to betray its very premise of trusting one’s own instincts and coming to their own decisions personally and by their unique experience, to find one’s own place in the universe by looking inward and to nature, not by looking to another’s conclusions. I believe it should be regarded as an evolving thought process based on questioning and thinking, not a goal-minded search for answers. While a distinct, universal definition of Transcendentalism may be impossible to articulate, it can be largely agreed upon that the Transcendentalist movement was founded by Ralph Waldo Emerson and reached its peak in 19th century Massachusetts. It is not particularly confined to the boundaries of religion, philosophy, literature, education or social reform, but rather a combination. The very nature of Transcendentalism is “original thought,” and therefore, if practiced correctly, should be ever-changing. The true Transcendentalist should be consistently searching his mind for new ways to connect with nature and spirit. Perhaps the greatest impact one can get from these writings is the concept of questioning pre-existing ideals, to move past the set American standards to form new ones. To look inside oneself, rather than outside of oneself for answers to the universe. In addition, the school of

Transcendentalism readily accepts the tragic aspect of life, while maintaining a hopeful outlook of the future--one can Transcend their current life circumstances.

            Individual interpretations of the philosophy should be clarified and refined within one’s own mind, it should be used as a personal guideline of spiritual and self discovery, therefore may produce many contradictory beliefs of what each person grasps from this ideal. In addition to this unstable thought, are the contradictory reactions it has inspired by many critics and famous writers of that period. Many love the Transcendentalists approach, many abhor it, still others, such as Edgar Allen Poe, both abhor and love it. Emerson paved the way for other well known Transcendentalists such as Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, Bronson Alcott (father of Louisa May) and Walt Whitman. While this may have been the peak time of Transcendentalism, it was by no means fully accepted by everyone and was publicly opposed by such prominent figures as Charles Dickens, Herman Melville, and Ernest Hemingway. In fact,  Harvard University banned Emerson for three decades after his famous speech, “The Divinity School Address.” While Emerson and other Transcendentalists often contradict society’s existing institutions, he also contradicts even himself. This train of thought is often times difficult to follow, but is nonetheless inspiring, fascinating, frustrating, exhilerating, and exhausting!

Ralph Waldo Emerson:

            The writings and views of Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) have been under more scrutiny, controversy and praise than perhaps any other of his time. He has been a figure of dire influence, yet object of satire and ridicule. Emerson was born in Boston, the son of a Unitarian minister. His father soon died and he was raised with the help of the church. He and his brothers were so poor, sometimes they had to share the same coat. His aunt, Mary Moody, encouraged her nephews to “regard deprivation as ecstatic self-denial”. After not having much luck with Harvard or his teaching career, Emerson began his study of Theology and a few years later was ordained as junior pastor of Boston’s Second Church. His skepticism toward the church was growing along with his exposure to the German “higher criticism”. His faith was becoming more in-tune with the individual being, rather than organized religion. He finally resigned from the Church in 1832 and began a tour of Europe where he studied art and natural science, and met with fellow writers such as Thomas Carlyle and William

Wordsworth. Upon his return to America and settling down in Massachusetts, he began lecturing. Emerson’s life ended shortly after his mind slowly deteriorated into a calm, serene insanity.

            “Nature,” was Emerson’s first book and published anonymously in 1836.

“Nature was not a Christian book, but one influenced by a range of idealistic philosophies,  ancient and very modern, Transcendentalism, being merely the new name for an old way of thinking”. 484, “Nature,” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Two major ideas can be derived from this essay. First, Spiritual and Scientific interpretations of our physical being need not contradict one another, but rather can be understood together; and second, nature is the physical body of a high spiritual intelligence.

Ernest Holmes:

            Ernest Holmes (1887-1960) is regarded as ‘The Founder of the Religious Science Movement.’  His most well known book, which also became the textbook of the Religious Science philosophy, is entitled, The Science of Mind. His teachings are based on a spiritual philosophy that brings people a sense of their place in the Universe and relationship to God and Nature in a positive light, and are considered one of the leading viewpoints in modern metaphysics.  Holmes was born on a small farm in Maine, and while he attended Bethel preparatory school, he spent most of his time outdoors, in nature, pondering the questions “What is God? Who am I? Why am I here?” He was thoughtful, but doubtful of the local preachers and the answers he received in church. He moved to Boston at age 18, leaving formal education in favor of independent thinking. A year later he discovered Emerson. His metaphysical studies increased along with his pursuit of truth, which led him to study literature, art, science, philosophy, religion, and in particular Mary Baker Eddy’s Christian Science teachings. In addition to Emerson and Eddy, he also became familiar with the writings of Christian D. Larson, Ralph Waldo Trine, Horatio Dresser, and Phineas Quimby. Holmes eventually abandoned the Christian Science teachings after his pursuit led him toward Larson’s New Thought writings, then the metaphysical writings of Thomas Troward.

            Holmes began casually speaking on Troward’s writings to small groups leading to his lifetime ministry. He was later ordained as a minister of the Divine Science church. As of 1967, the institute he launched is now known as “The United Church of Religious Science”, and has churches and students throughout the world. Among “The Science of Mind,” are over ten other books written by Holmes, including, “Creative Mind and Success”, “The Philosophy of Ernest Holmes”, “Mind Remakes Your World.”

Introduction:

            The following discourse is an attempt to illustrate some of the similarities occurring in the two writings, “Nature” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, which I will refer to simply as “N” while citing, and The Science of Mind, by Ernest Holmes, which I will abbreviate as “SoM.”  It is also important to note that sometimes Holmes interchanges some of his terms, such as “The All,” The Thing,” “The Universe,“ when referring to “Gos”. I also aspire to demonstrate where I believe Holmes has not only shared, but extended Emerson’s teachings. Within the boundaries of this paper, I only touch on some of the eternal, mutual messages of these two great writer-philosophers.

The Individual , or Inner Voice:

            “. . . nature is to stand as the apparition of God. It is the great organ through which the Universe speaks to the individual, and strives to lead back the individual to it.” N 508 “But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. But every night come out those preachers of beauty and light the universe with their admonishing smile.” N 487

            “We do well to listen to the Inner Voice, for it tells us of a life wonderful in its scope; of a love beyond our fondest dreams; of a freedom which the soul craves.” SoM 26 “But what we draw from it (the All) we must draw through the channel of our own minds.” SoM

40  “If man is endowed with the attributes of self-choice and free will, he must be allowed to make this great discovery himself.” SoM 71 “Behind the individual is the Universal, which has no limits.” SoM 71 “We approach and contact the larger spirit through our own spirit or conscious mind. The doorway to the Absolute stands open at the center of our intuitive perception.” SoM 112

            While Emerson may not go into much detail in this specific essay “Nature,” I will interject that in many other writings he has made clear his thoughts on Intuition and the Individual. He prefers to learn about God not from Priests, or sitting in a church, but from Nature, for example he refers to the stars as preachers. God cannot be handed to us from someone else, we can only truly connect with God and the divine Universe on a personal, intuitive level though our own experience. He claimed the true genius is the one who believes his own thoughts. Further explanation of this particular concept can be read in Emerson’s essay “Self-Reliance.” Holmes also agrees with Emerson’s claims that man is in individual part of the Universe or The All, and also says the Universe speaks directly to him, through him.

Freedom from bondage:

            “Nature is made to conspire with spirit to emancipate us.” N 503

            “To suppose that the Creative Intelligence of the universe would create man in bondage and leave him bound, would be to dishonor the Creative Power in which we call God. . . . Freedom is the birth right of every living soul.” SoM 25

            The underlying notion of Nature is goodness, and freedom. There are no limitations set in Nature.

Nature as our servant:

            “Nature is thoroughly mediate. It is made to serve. It receives the dominion of man as meekly as the ass on which the Saviour rode. It offers all its kingdoms to man as the raw material which he may mould into what is useful. Man is never weary of working it up. He forges the subtle and delicate air into wise and melodious words, and gives them wings as angels of persuasion and command. More and more, with every thought, does his kingdom stretch over things, until the world becomes, at last, only a realized will, --the double of the man.” N 499.

            “Nature seems to await our comprehension of her, and since she is governed by immutable laws--the ignorance of which excuses no man from their effects—the bondage of reality must be a result of our ignorance of the true nature of Reality” SoM 33 “. . . within us is a mental law, working out the will and purposes of our conscious thoughts. This can be no other than our individual use of that Greater Subjective Mind, which is the seat of all mental law and action, and is ‘The Servant of the Eternal Spirit throughout the ages.’” SoM 29 “When the consciousness speaks, the law receives and executes.” SoM 38.

            The material world, as well as the immaterial world, both lie at the hand of man. It is given to us to create whatever we may conceive. Everything begins with an idea in our mind, then is created, brought from the abstract to the physical. Just as things are built with our hands, they are built with our minds. That which we can see is taking form, as is that which we cannot see. Every thought in our mind goes into the universe, where the natural laws  work to create the idea into being, then bring it back to us.

Spirit working through us:

            “But when, following the invisible steps of thought, we come to inquire, Whence is matter? And Whereto? Many truths arise to us out of the recesses of consciousness. We learn that the highest is present to the soul of man, that the dread universal essence, which is not wisdom, or love, or beauty, or power, but all in one, and each entirely, is that for which all things exist, and that by which they are; the spirit creates; that behind nature, throughout nature, spirit is present; that spirit is one and not compound; that spirit does not act upon us from without, that is, in space and time, but spiritually, or through ourselves. Therefore, that spirit, that is, the Supreme Being, does not build up nature around us, but puts it forth through us, as the life of the tree puts forth new branches and leaves through the pores of the old. As a plant upon the earth, so a man rests upon the bosom of God: he is nourished by unfailing fountains, and draws, at his need, inexhaustible power. Who can set bounds to the possibility of man? Once inspire the infinite, by being admitted to behold the absolute natures of justices and truth, and we learn that man has access to the entire mind of the Creator, is himself the creator in the finite.” Nature, 509

            “The Thing, then works for us by working through us and is us, always. . . .It spreads Itself over the whole universe and shouts at us from every angle, but It can become power to us only when we recognize it as power. . . .Therefore our beliefs set a limit to our demonstration of a principle which, of itself, is without limit. . . .So it is not a question of Its willingness, nor of its ability. It is entirely a question of our own receptivity. ” SoM 37

            The way nature or ‘The Thing,’ creates is through us. Through our own mind and soul interacting with its laws. We have ultimate control over nature and our situation once we learn how to recognize, believe, and use this power.

            Holmes quoting Emerson: “There is no great, and no small to the soul that maketh all.” SoM 37

Spirit and Matter:

            “While the abstract question occupies your intellect, nature brings it in the concrete to be solved by your hands.” N, 513

            “The veil between Spirit and matter is very thin. The invisible passes into visibility through our faith in it.” SoM 60 “Creation means the giving of form to the Substance of  Mind or Spirit.” 66 “. . . .everything the Spirit thinks must take form. . . .the Invisible will always be made manifest on some plane.” SoM 70

“The physical body is evolved for the purpose of allowing consciousness to function on this plane. SoM

99 “If there were not such outline we would walk through each other without recognition.” SoM101.

            Again, all that the mind can conceive can be created. Anything of substance was once spirit, or thought. The physical body is merely a convenient house for the spirit while on this plane.

Metaphysics:

            “The currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or particle, of God.” N 488

            “Man is a spirit, while God is The Spirit. Man is an individual, while God is the universal.” SoM 87

            Man is a small part of the bigger Universe. (God, Nature) We are all connected to each other because we are all connected to the All, the One.

A Fluent Force

            “Nature is not fixed but fluid. Spirit alters, moulds, makes it. . . .As fast as you can conform your life to the pure idea in your mind, that will unfold its great proportions. A correspondent revolution in things will attend the influx of the spirit. . . . The kingdom of man over nature.”  N 513

            “In dealing with this subtle power of Mind and Spirit, we are dealing with a fluent force. It is forever taking form and forever deserting the form which it has taken.” SoM 53

            In the spirit of Emerson, the key is Evolution: Literature, Art, Religion, Spirit, and Nature should be continually changing and evolving. Original thought should replace outdated ones. Our spiritual lives, by learning how to work with Nature, should be ever-changing and growing. 

Limitation:

            “At present man applies to nature half his force. He works on the world with his understanding alone. He lives in it, and masters it by a penny-wisdom; and he that works most in it, is but a half-man and whilst his arms are strong and his digestion good, his mind is imbruted and he is a selfish savage. His relation to nature, his power over it, is through the understanding; as by manure; the economic use of fire, wind, water, and the mariner’s needle; steam, coal, chemical agriculture; the repairs of the human body by the dentist and the surgeon. This is such a resumption of power, as if a banished king should buy back his territories inch by inch, instead of vaulting at once into his throne. Meantime, in the thick darkness, there are not wanting gleams of a better light,-- occasional examples of the action of man upon nature with his entire force,--with reason as well as understanding. Such examples are; the tradition of miracles in the earliest antiquity of all nations; the history of Jesus Christ.” N 512

            “The basis for which man is evolving it Infinite. Behind him is the Great Unknown, but not the great unknowable. As the result of the discovery that he could think, plan and execute man has built up a great civilization; he has perceived that Nature works through him in order to work for him. He has harnessed electricity, compelled steam to do his bidding, conquered the air, built cities, made the desert to bloom, and has thrown the lines of his commerce around the globe. Indeed, he has seemed to possess the earth during this process, even though little attention has been given to that still, small voice which said: ‘Man, know thyself.’” SoM 72

            The only limitations in life are the ones we place on ourselves. The only way to exceed this limitation is by choosing our way to God, by learning how to harness the powers and laws he has given us.

Trust in the Laws:

            “God never jests with us, and will not compromise the end of nature, by permitting any inconsequence in its procession. Any distrust of the permanence of laws, would paralyze the faculties of man. Their permanence is sacredly respected, and his faith therein is perfect.” N 502

            “The laws of the universe are to be trusted but we must come to understand them before we can use them.” SoM 42 “. . . .unless man understands these conditions and obeys these laws, he will not receive full benefit from its teachings.” SoM 107

            Have Faith.

Seizing the Law

            “. . . .a spiritual life has been imparted to nature; that the solid seeming block of matter has been pervaded and dissolved by a thought; that this feeble human being has penetrated the vast masses of nature with an informing soul, and recognized itself in their harmony, that is, seized their law.” Nature, 505

            “Man, by thinking, can bring into his experience whatsoever he desires--if he thinks correctly and becomes a living embodiment of his thought” 30

“Thought creates a mold in the Subjective, in which the idea is accepted and poured, and sets power in motion in accordance with the thought.” 30

            Holmes tell us exactly how we can “seize the law”—by thinking it. This has also been referred to in New Age religions as “Visualization”. There are several meditations he has written for us to train our mind into right thinking, and creating for us through the Natural law what we want. These meditations can be used for self-help or in directing our thoughts toward others, we can use them as treatments. Some titles are: “Perfect Vision,” “Majestic Calm,” “The Things I Need Come to Me,” “God Restores me to Perfect Health,” “My Vibrations attract Friends to Me.” “Cone and Let Me Heal You.”

Correspondence:

            “. . . for every hour and change corresponds to and authorizes a different state of the mind, from breathless noon to grimmest midnight. Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece. In good health, the air is a cordial of incredible virtue. . . .To a  man laboring under calamity, the heat of his own fire hath sadness in it. Then, there is a kind of contempt of the landscape felt by him who has just lost by death a dear friend. . . .Yet it is certain the power to produce this delight does not reside in nature, but in man, or in a harmony of both. . . .Nature always wears the color of the spirit.”  N 488

            “The Spirit of Christ means that mentality which recognizes the Law and uses It for constructive purposes only. The spirit of Antichrist means the spirit of the individual who understanding the Law, uses it destructively. The meaning of the Flood, or Deluge, (which is recorded in every sacred scripture we have ever heard of or read) is that a race of people once lived upon the earth who came to understand the psychic of subjective Law as being the servant of the Spirit. They understood themselves to be Spirit, but they did not understand the harmonious Unity of Spirit. They had arrived at an intellectual concept of the Law--a very clearly defined mental concept--but that knowledge was not used for constructive purposes. They used the Law destructively, and what happened? The confusion which took place in the psychic world (or the psychic atmosphere of this planet) caused its physical correspondence in the form of a Deluge or the Flood.” SoM 120

            Man and nature work best when they work together as one. Man cannot stand in Nature and not be influenced by its beauty, its gloom, whatever it may be feeling that day, anymore than can man have a thought that Nature does not internalize and bring into being. Holmes furthers Emerson’s concept of correspondence, by demonstrating the immense power our thoughts have over nature, and the importance of keeping “right’ thought in our mind. He has stated the devastation that can occur in nature if humans misuse the power God has given them.

Biblical references:

            “Sensible objects conform to the premonitions of Reason and reflect the conscience. All things are moral; and in their boundaries changes have an unceasing reference to spiritual nature. Therefore is nature glorious with form, color, and motion. That every globe in the remotest heaven; every chemical change from the rudest crystal up to the laws of life; every change of vegetation from the first principal of growth in the eye of a leaf, to the tropical forest and antediluvian coal-mine; every animal function from the sponge up to Hercules, shall hint or thunder to man the laws of right and wrong, and echo the Ten Commandments. Therefore is nature always the ally of Religion: lends all her pomp and riches to the religious sentiment. Prophet and priest, David, Isaiah, Jesus, have drawn deeply from this source.” 499, Nature.

            “If we properly understood we would be able to remove false conditions (sickness, poverty, etc) as easily as Jesus.”  Science of Mind 54 “The Bible does not tell us how to give a treatment. It is only within the last hundred years that the science which we are studying has been given to the world. The principal of spiritual treatment is implied in the Bible as well as other sacred writings of antiquity, but one could not learn how to give a treatment from reading any of these Sacred Books. From all these sources we gain a tremendous spiritual inspiration, but they do not teach how to give a treatment.”

            The Science of Mind devotes hundreds of pages to Biblical quotes and also the teachings of the Mystics (in which he includes Jesus). Contrary to popular belief, this movement wishes to work along with the teachings of The Bible, to supplement, or evolve them, not compete or denounce Christianity. Furthermore, it recognizes the existence and teachings of Jesus stating, “The world had not produced another like him and, until it does, he must receive a unique place in the history of human character.” What may be even more interesting, is Holmes’ refers to Jesus as one of the great “Mystics” along with Solomon, David, Plotinus, and others. In addition, Holmes suggests that each and every one of should strive to attain the spiritual level Jesus had, to be similar healers. Holmes’ expounds this idea by giving specific instructions for mediations, or mental treatments, one can give to heal ourselves or others. It is also important to stress that Holmes’ does not advocate the discontinuance of using medications, be it over-the-counter, or doctor-prescribed. Treatments should not be seen as “alternative” medicine, but rather supplemental.

Conclusion:

            “A wise writer will feel that the ends of study and composition are best answered by announcing undiscovered regions of, and so communicating, through hope, new activity to the torpid spirit.” N 511

            “We can never completely fathom the Infinite Mind: we shall always be discovering new lands. Consequently, evolution is an eternal unfoldment of the more yet to be.” SoM 44

            In this paper, no attempt has been made to explore and discuss all the thoughts of either Ernest Holmes or Ralph Waldo Emerson. My intentions were merely to touch on a few key elements of their philosophies and demonstrate the similarities in some of their thinking patterns, to reach a deeper understanding of their teachings. My goal, in the tradition of Transcendentalism, has not been to offer answers, but to instead inspire questions.

Works cited:

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882”. The Norton Anthology of        American Literature. Nina Baym, editor. Shorter Sixth Edition, New York: W. W. Norton & Co, Inc. 2003. 482-485

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Nature.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Nina            Baym, editor. Shorter Sixth Edition, New York: W. W. Norton & Co, Inc. 2003.            485-514

Hart, James D. The Oxford Companion to American Literature, Fourth Edition, New             York, Oxford University Press, 1965

Bickman, Martin. “Transcendental Ideas: Definitions. An Overview of American Transcendentalism.” www.vcu.edu/engweb/transdentaliam/ideas/definitionsbickman.html

Myerson, Joel, editor, The Modern Language Association of America. The Transcendentalists: A Review of Research and Criticism.  New York, 1984.

Holmes, Ernest. The Science of Mind. Fifth Anniversary Edition, New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1938.

“Ernest Holmes (1887-1960), Founder of the Religious Science Movement”

http://cornerstone.wwwhubs.com/ernestholmes.htm

Turner, Frederick. “Still Ahead of His Time,” Smithsonian Magazine. May 2003.

http://www.smithsonian.com/smithsonian/issues03/may03/presence.html