Nature (essay) - Theme: Spirituality

Theme: Spirituality

Emerson uses spirituality as a major theme in his essay, “Nature”. Emerson believed that something existed over God, something large and visible, which he referred to as nature; such an idea is known as transcendentalism, in which one rejects God and their body, and becomes one with their surroundings. Emerson confidently exemplifies transcendentalism, stating, “From the earth, as a shore, I look out into that silent sea. I seem to partake its rapid transformations: the active enchantment reaches my dust, and I dilate and conspire with the morning wind” {reflist}, proving that man and wind are one. Emerson referred to nature as the “Universal Being”; he believed that there was a spiritual sense of the natural world around him. Depicting this sense of “Universal Being”, Emerson states, “The aspect of nature is devout. Like the figure of Jesus, she stands with bended head, and hands folded upon the breast. The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship”.

According to Emerson, there were three spiritual problems addressed about nature for man to solve, “What is matter? Whence is it? And Whereto?”. What is matter? Matter is a phenomenon, not a substance; rather, nature is something that is experienced by man, and grows with mans emotions. Whence is it and Whereto? Such questions can be answered with a single answer, nature’s spirit is expressed through man, “Therefore, that spirit, that is, the Supreme Being, does not build up nature around us, but puts it forth through us”, states Emerson. Emerson clearly depicts that everything must be spiritual and moral, in which there should be goodness between nature and man.