Long, long ago when I was a Freshman at the University of Washington I discovered Emerson and Thoreau in an American Literature Survey class and realized that philosophically I was probably a Transcendentalist. Later, when my high school students would inappropriately ask me what religion I was, I would reply that I was a Transcendentalist, which seemed to satisfy their curiosity. But if someone were to ask me today, I would probably have to reply I’m a Taoist, if I didn’t reply more appropriately, “It’s none of your business.”
I never went to church with my parents, probably because my mom was raised in the Christian Church and my dad was raised as a Christian Scientist. Dad’s mother was even a Christian Science practitioner. Neither parent seemed willing to accept the other’s religion, so we never went to church together. I definitely absorbed beliefs from both of them, though I think I tend to favor my father’s beliefs.
As I read Emerson’s essays in college, many of the ideas seemed familiar, but it was several years later that I realized that Emerson and Thoreau must have influenced Mary Baker Eddy’s thinking since she lived in Boston and published her first works just seven years before Emerson died. It would have been virtually impossible to grow up in Boston and not have been exposed to Transcendentalism.
I’ll have to admit that I wouldn’t have been able to clearly articulate the similarities between Transcendentalism and Christian Science until I recently asked Chat GPT, “What are the similarities between Christian Scientists and the ideas of Emerson and Thoreau?” and it answered:
Christian Science, founded by Mary Baker Eddy, shares some philosophical and theological resonances with the ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, both of whom were central figures in Transcendentalism. Below are some key similarities between Christian Science and Transcendentalist thought:
1. Emphasis on Spiritual Reality
• Christian Science: Asserts that the spiritual realm is the ultimate reality and that material existence is an illusion. This perspective emphasizes the power of spiritual understanding and divine Mind (God) over physical conditions.
• Emerson and Thoreau: Both philosophers emphasized the primacy of spiritual insight and the interconnectedness of the individual soul with the divine. Emerson’s concept of the “Oversoul” reflects the idea that ultimate truth resides in the spiritual rather than the material.
2. Self-Reliance and Individual Spirituality
• Christian Science: Encourages individuals to rely on their understanding of spiritual truths and their connection with God for healing and guidance, rather than external authorities or traditional medicine.
• Emerson and Thoreau: Stressed self-reliance and the importance of personal intuition and individual connection to the divine. Emerson’s essays, such as Self-Reliance, and Thoreau’s work, including Walden, advocate for trusting one’s inner voice over societal norms.
3. Harmony with Nature and Divine Law
• Christian Science: Views the universe as governed by divine Principle, a concept akin to natural law, where harmony prevails when aligned with spiritual truths.
• Emerson and Thoreau: Valued nature as a reflection of divine truth. Emerson saw nature as a manifestation of the divine spirit, and Thoreau believed that living simply in nature could bring individuals closer to God.
4. Rejection of Materialism
• Christian Science: Rejects materialism by deeming physical reality as illusory and focusing instead on spiritual existence and divine Mind.
• Emerson and Thoreau: Critiqued materialism and consumerism. Thoreau’s Walden is a testament to living simply and seeking fulfillment through spiritual and intellectual pursuits rather than material wealth.
5. Focus on Healing and Transformation
• Christian Science: Central to its practice is spiritual healing, which Eddy described as a restoration of understanding one’s unity with God.
• Emerson and Thoreau: While they did not specifically focus on physical healing, both saw spiritual and personal transformation as essential. Emerson’s philosophy emphasized the healing power of spiritual insight, and Thoreau’s retreat to Walden Pond was an exercise in self-renewal.
6. Criticism of Traditional Religion
• Christian Science: Challenges traditional Christian doctrines and emphasizes direct understanding of God rather than reliance on rituals or intermediaries.
• Emerson and Thoreau: Both were critical of institutionalized religion, favoring direct, personal experience of the divine. Emerson’s Divinity School Address criticized formal religion for stifling individual spiritual growth.
To a certain extent, I agree with all six of these principles, though the most important of them for me is number three, Harmony with Nature, and number four, Rejection of Materialism, is a close second.
I’m sure my father believed in most of these principles and tried to live his life by them. I think his greatest love, other than our mother, was fishing, where he felt in tune with Nature. I don’t think it’s entirely coincidental that dad took us salmon fishing on Sunday more than any other day. Certainly, sitting there in the morning light or morning fog quietly waiting for a fish to bite was nearly as meditative as anything I’ve managed to do in my life. It was so peaceful that I might even have gotten addicted to salmon fishing if I hadn’t been prone to seasickness. As a result, instead of communing with nature on a boat, I commune while hiking and backpacking and, as I have aged, while birding.
P.S. Originally this was meant to be an introduction to Bozeman’s Tao of Thoreau, but it took me a lot longer to show the link between my parents’ religious views and Taoism than I thought it would.