The Transcendentalists were a group of 19th-century American writers, thinkers, and philosophers who emphasized the importance of individual intuition, spirituality, and the connection between humanity and nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau pushed back against traditional Western religious doctrines and materialism, advocating ideas such as personal accountability, self-reliance, personal freedom, and the belief in the goodness of people and their interconnectedness with nature.
The Transcendental writings celebrated individualism, nonconformity regarding religious dogma, and a more profound sense of spirituality that went beyond organized religion. They directly drew inspiration from Eastern philosophies, especially Hindu thought. The Transcendentalist movement left a lasting mark on American literature, even shaped environmental thinking and policy-making, and fueled social reform efforts, including abolition and women’s rights.
The Transcendentalist movement, led by figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, represents an unprecedented development of Western philosophies inspired by Dharmic tradition. The growing interest in Eastern philosophies and travel accounts from scholars and Christian missionaries further exposed Transcendentalists to Hindu spirituality, particularly its emphasis on Advaita – unity of spirit, non-dualism, and the interconnectedness of all beings. These influences led to Transcendentalist thoughts and writings proposing a spiritual alternative to the materialistic and rationalist tendencies of 19th-century American Protestantism.
Early Encounters with Hindu Philosophy
The influence of Hindu philosophy on Transcendentalism began in the early 19th century, predating the arrival of Indian swamis in the West. Emerson and Thoreau were captivated by the spiritual depth, connection to nature, and universal principles in Hindu texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. These works offered them a new perspective that aligned with their search for a deeper understanding of the human spirit and its relationship to the Divine. This differed significantly from how spirituality and divinity were perceived in Christian thought.
Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The Best of Brahmans”
Ralph Waldo Emerson, an essayist, philosopher, and poet, engaged with Hindu scriptures, studying texts such as the Manusmriti (Laws of Manu) and the Mahabharata, which significantly influenced his writings and philosophical worldview. These ideas helped Emerson develop his vision of justice and personal responsibility, and some of his works include “The Over-Soul,” “Illusion,” “Nature,” and “Brahma,” a poem about the concept of the Brahman. In his essay Compensation, Emerson incorporated the concept of karma, reimagining it within a framework of personal responsibility. He understood karma as a universal law similar to gravity, affecting everyone globally, regardless of belief. Understanding karma as our own making and not as a simple reward and punishment is what Emerson focused on based on the ancient texts.
Emerson’s profound grasp of Hindu philosophy earned him the nickname “the best of Brahmans,” a nod to his profound appreciation for Eastern wisdom. His writings often reflect Hindu ideas, like the interconnectedness of all life and the unity between the human soul and the Divine. Additionally, Transcendentalists like Emerson admired Hinduism’s innately inclusive approach to spirituality.
Henry David Thoreau: A Yogi at Walden Pond
Henry David Thoreau was a writer and philosopher, most famous for his book Walden, which promotes simple living and a close connection to nature. Thoreau’s connection to Hindu thought was equally significant. While living at Walden Pond* (Concord, Massachusetts), he kept a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, which he regarded as one of the highest forms of offering a universal and cosmic philosophy. He referred to the Gita as “his Ganges.”
Thoreau’s ascetic lifestyle, deep bond with nature, and embrace of pantheism were all influenced by his understanding and practice of Hindu spirituality. The austere practices of Indian yogis also influenced him. Thoreau’s reflections on nature and his commitment to simplicity resonated with the teachings of the East, helping him develop a philosophy and a way of life that explains the tenet of Hindu philosophy – he saw divinity in all of life and encouraged spiritual introspection. Additionally, they embraced the Advaita Vedantic view of the oneness of the divine, which depicts the fundamental unity of the individual soul (Atman) and the supreme reality (Brahman), emphasizing that any perceived separation between them is illusory.
Walt Whitman: A Legacy of Spiritual Integration
Walt Whitman was not officially part of the New England Transcendentalist movement, but his poetry captures many key ideas. In Leaves of Grass, he explores themes like the beauty of nature, individual freedom, and spiritual connection—typical hallmarks of Transcendentalism. His work often examines the relationship between the self and the universe, reflecting a “cosmic consciousness” similar to what Transcendentalists believed; thus the mention.
Like Ralph Waldo Emerson and other Transcendentalists, Whitman experienced a profound sense of the Divine’s presence that influenced his writing. However, he set himself apart by giving equal attention to the physical and spiritual aspects of life and celebrating sexuality in his poetry, something that traditional Transcendentalism did not emphasize.
The Transcendentalists’ engagement with Hindu philosophy led to a broader, more inclusive spirituality, a fusion of sorts in the West. Other notable mentions include Margaret Fuller, whose writings reflected an interest in Hindu spirituality and the elevation of the soul; Bronson Alcott, who advocated for spiritual self-improvement and vegetarianism; Theodore Parker, a Unitarian minister who drew from Eastern scriptures to challenge traditional Christian dogma; and Christopher Pearse Cranch, a poet, and artist whose work reflected themes of transcendence and unity influenced by Hindu texts. These thinkers collectively wove Hindu ideas into their efforts to promote spirituality, self-awareness, and the interconnectedness of all life. By attempting to utilize Hindu ideas to examine Judeo-Christian and Americo-European transcendental thought, they crafted a philosophy that continues to inspire global audiences and literature students around the globe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Transcendentalist movement’s embrace of Hindu philosophy marks a tipping point and shows the beginnings of a new moment in Western literature and thought. It offers a non-dogmatic alternative to traditional religious doctrines, including the concept of self-accountability-based karma. Today, Transcendentalism continues to influence various fields, including literature, philosophy, environmentalism, and spirituality.
Emerson and Thoreau thus helped expand the religio-spiritual boundaries of their time, seeing life as is and creating a more organically inclusive and holistic approach to our existence. Their writings resonate today, from high schools to grad school literature halls, setting the Hindu framework to examine Judeo-Christian thought and practices. Thus, the legacy of Transcendentalism, enriched by Dharmic thought, remains a lasting source of inspiration for those seeking a genuine connection to the Divine within and, by default, the world around them.
*The pond is now part of the Walden Pond State Reservation, an area for hiking and reflection.
Further Reading:
Here are some suggested further readings in APA style for the essay “From the Vedas to Walden: The Hindu Roots of Transcendentalism”:
Adisasmito-Smith, S. E. (2000). Hinduism and Transcendentalism: A comparative study of major texts. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.
Goodman, R. (2015). American philosophy before pragmatism. Oxford University Press.
Hodder, A. D. (2010). Thoreau’s ecstatic witness. Yale University Press.
Myerson, J. (Ed.). (2010). Transcendentalism: A reader. Oxford University Press.
Porte, J., & Morris, S. (Eds.). (1999). The Cambridge Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Cambridge University Press.
Reynolds, D. S. (1995). Walt Whitman’s America: A cultural biography. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Versluis, A. (1993). American Transcendentalism and Asian religions. Oxford University Press.
Walls, L. D. (2017). Henry David Thoreau: A life. University of Chicago Press.
Whitman, W. (1855). Leaves of Grass. Brooklyn, NY: Self-published.