Nature Walking
It is no wonder Ralph Waldo Emerson (born 1803-died-1882) is considered the "Father of American Literature." His writing can move a person through his thoughts on religion, nature, and man.
Over the years, I have read snippets of Emerson's book-long essay titled "Nature" and have saved many Emerson quotes I found online. But until this past week, I have never read the article in full. And what a gem I had missed early in my life. It's strange to feel like I have finally arrived home after reading the book, in what I would call a long journey since the age of 8, of searching for something, or someone, that had similar to my beliefs about the natural world. As much as I have tried my entire life, I could not find "it" in any religion or even Christianity. There was always something missing. And only later, when I was honest with myself, I knew what it was. A few weeks ago, I drove past a local church that had on its outdoor billboard, "What is missing in the church?" I could hardly believe they needed to ask. It is nature, plain and simple. And there is a longing, by millions of people, Christian or not, for a better world. Wild Churches have cropped up recently in the United States, and it's no wonder. People are tired of what they see. They want change. Nature is missing, even when it is right before our eyes.
John Elder's introduction of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau (whose essay is "Walking" in the book) captures the spirit of these two great writers. Thoreau (born 1817-died-1862) believed that the human connection with nature is necessary for intellectual and moral stability. I couldn't agree more.
Both men were part of the transcendentalism movement, and both believed there needed to be a balance between man and nature. We can see the disconnect with nature, even in our children, if we are truthful. We. Have. Failed.
I highly recommend reading the book, but Emerson's essay is accessible online on a few library pages. And there is much information, also online, regarding the life of Emerson and Thoreau and many other transcendentalist authors that are worth researching.
Thanks for visiting.
