Transcendentalists
@transcendentalists.bsky.social
A collection of near-daily insights inspired by the wisdom of the Transcendentalists - Emerson, Thoreau, Fuller, and others - exploring self-reliance, nature, and the pursuit of higher truths.
While naturally associated with New England, Thoreau, like many of his age, was inspired by the wildness and mystery of the west. From Walking, 1862.
November 3, 2025 at 10:42 PM
While naturally associated with New England, Thoreau, like many of his age, was inspired by the wildness and mystery of the west. From Walking, 1862.
In 19th-century New England, the emerging industrial mindset equated time with money, and purposeless wandering seemed to violate expectations of the American work ethic. Yet to Thoreau, contemplative walking was key to his idea of deliberate living. #spirituality #Transcendentalism
August 5, 2025 at 8:32 AM
In 19th-century New England, the emerging industrial mindset equated time with money, and purposeless wandering seemed to violate expectations of the American work ethic. Yet to Thoreau, contemplative walking was key to his idea of deliberate living. #spirituality #Transcendentalism
In 1843, they started a failed utopian community based on Transcendentalist principles. If they had launched the same vision in 2025, they'd likely be seen as trailblazing influencers. And maybe they'd even have a YouTube channel, too? #Transcendentalism #Veganism #Coldbaths
June 9, 2025 at 8:13 AM
In 1843, they started a failed utopian community based on Transcendentalist principles. If they had launched the same vision in 2025, they'd likely be seen as trailblazing influencers. And maybe they'd even have a YouTube channel, too? #Transcendentalism #Veganism #Coldbaths
Although Transcendentalists didn't shy away from criticizing institutions, central to the movement was urging people to look inward and - through cultivation of the individual - a better society would naturally follow. #Transcendentalism #Spirituality
June 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Although Transcendentalists didn't shy away from criticizing institutions, central to the movement was urging people to look inward and - through cultivation of the individual - a better society would naturally follow. #Transcendentalism #Spirituality
Reposted by Transcendentalists
Emerson, Memory, and Oblivion is open to proposals until June 30
Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Nov 20-23 San Francisco
Full CFP @
pamla.ballastacademic.com/Home/S/19766
Presenters may proposals using PAMLA’s online submission form (pamla.ballastacademic.com ).
Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Nov 20-23 San Francisco
Full CFP @
pamla.ballastacademic.com/Home/S/19766
Presenters may proposals using PAMLA’s online submission form (pamla.ballastacademic.com ).
View Session
pamla.ballastacademic.com
June 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Emerson, Memory, and Oblivion is open to proposals until June 30
Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Nov 20-23 San Francisco
Full CFP @
pamla.ballastacademic.com/Home/S/19766
Presenters may proposals using PAMLA’s online submission form (pamla.ballastacademic.com ).
Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Nov 20-23 San Francisco
Full CFP @
pamla.ballastacademic.com/Home/S/19766
Presenters may proposals using PAMLA’s online submission form (pamla.ballastacademic.com ).
Emerson's "The Transcendentalist" lecture in 1841 provides perhaps the most robust definition of the movement. #Booksky #Transcendentalism
May 29, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Emerson's "The Transcendentalist" lecture in 1841 provides perhaps the most robust definition of the movement. #Booksky #Transcendentalism
Far from seeing humankind as merely an observer of the Divine, Channing praises our ‘kind affections’ and ‘struggles against oppression’ as ‘marks of a divine origin’. From 1828’s “Likeness to God.” #Booksky #Transcendentalism #Spirituality
May 28, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Far from seeing humankind as merely an observer of the Divine, Channing praises our ‘kind affections’ and ‘struggles against oppression’ as ‘marks of a divine origin’. From 1828’s “Likeness to God.” #Booksky #Transcendentalism #Spirituality
In her December 1844 article "New Year's Day", Margaret Fuller takes account of the closing year - and calls on us all to be the spark of light for the new year. #Booksky #Transcendentalism
May 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
In her December 1844 article "New Year's Day", Margaret Fuller takes account of the closing year - and calls on us all to be the spark of light for the new year. #Booksky #Transcendentalism
From 'My Heart is Boundless - Writings of Abigail May Alcott, Louisa's Mother.' An inspiring portrait of someone so driven by learning and growth. #Booksky #Transcendentalism
March 31, 2025 at 2:41 AM
From 'My Heart is Boundless - Writings of Abigail May Alcott, Louisa's Mother.' An inspiring portrait of someone so driven by learning and growth. #Booksky #Transcendentalism
Natural history as a chain of causes and effects. Evoking the deep interconnections of human events, from interdependence to the butterfly effect of chaos theory. Originally published in The Dial (1842). #Transcendentalism #BookSky #ButterflyEffect
March 30, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Natural history as a chain of causes and effects. Evoking the deep interconnections of human events, from interdependence to the butterfly effect of chaos theory. Originally published in The Dial (1842). #Transcendentalism #BookSky #ButterflyEffect
Say what you will of the usefulness of smartphones/the internet, but I don't often hear people calling them 'beautiful'. From John Sullivan Dwight (1840). #Transcendentalism #BookSky #MentalHealth, #PhoneAddiction, #InternetAddiction
March 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Say what you will of the usefulness of smartphones/the internet, but I don't often hear people calling them 'beautiful'. From John Sullivan Dwight (1840). #Transcendentalism #BookSky #MentalHealth, #PhoneAddiction, #InternetAddiction
Convers Francis - on finding the Divine in all places. From 1836. #BookSky #Transcendentalism
March 28, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Convers Francis - on finding the Divine in all places. From 1836. #BookSky #Transcendentalism
March 27, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Teach young women to be caretakers? Instead, Sophia Ripley urged that women be encouraged to question and form their own opinions from early age on. From 1841. #Writing #Transcendentalism #InternationalWomensDay
March 13, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Teach young women to be caretakers? Instead, Sophia Ripley urged that women be encouraged to question and form their own opinions from early age on. From 1841. #Writing #Transcendentalism #InternationalWomensDay
A recurring theme among Transcendentalists - while no doubt useful, institutions tend to favor economic gain and conformity over individual growth. From 1834. #Writing #Transcendentalism
March 12, 2025 at 9:48 PM
A recurring theme among Transcendentalists - while no doubt useful, institutions tend to favor economic gain and conformity over individual growth. From 1834. #Writing #Transcendentalism
On the importance of lived experience over intellectual generalization. #Booksky #Transcendentalism
March 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
On the importance of lived experience over intellectual generalization. #Booksky #Transcendentalism
The wise judge keeps a view over the future. From 1849. #Writing #Transcendentalism
March 6, 2025 at 10:16 PM
The wise judge keeps a view over the future. From 1849. #Writing #Transcendentalism
Don't we all just want a quiet place in the country? From the reflective 'Tablets' #Booksky #Transcendentalism
March 6, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Don't we all just want a quiet place in the country? From the reflective 'Tablets' #Booksky #Transcendentalism
March 5, 2025 at 6:59 AM
"Riches, favor, worldly honors, human learning, are like the fabled Syrens, in whose embrace we revel, and are delighted awhile; but, if they do not destroy our souls, they soon leave them to disquietude, desolation, and misery." - Sylvester Judd (1833)
March 1, 2025 at 5:22 AM
"Riches, favor, worldly honors, human learning, are like the fabled Syrens, in whose embrace we revel, and are delighted awhile; but, if they do not destroy our souls, they soon leave them to disquietude, desolation, and misery." - Sylvester Judd (1833)
"But somehow the name 'Transcendentalist' has become a nick-name here for all who have broken away from the material philosophy of Locke... It has almost become a synonym for one who, in whatever way, preaches the spirit rather than the letter." - Christopher Pearse Cranch (1840)
February 28, 2025 at 6:37 AM
"But somehow the name 'Transcendentalist' has become a nick-name here for all who have broken away from the material philosophy of Locke... It has almost become a synonym for one who, in whatever way, preaches the spirit rather than the letter." - Christopher Pearse Cranch (1840)
"What is done interests me more than what is thought and supposed. Every fact is impure, but every fact contains in it the juices of life. Every fact is a clod, from which may grow an amaranth or a palm." - Margaret Fuller (1844)
February 28, 2025 at 1:09 AM
"What is done interests me more than what is thought and supposed. Every fact is impure, but every fact contains in it the juices of life. Every fact is a clod, from which may grow an amaranth or a palm." - Margaret Fuller (1844)
"There is another thing which it is interesting to see in Nature. It is truly a divine perfection. Would that we might learn to illustrate it in our spheres as Nature does in all hers!" - William Henry Furness (1855)
February 27, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"There is another thing which it is interesting to see in Nature. It is truly a divine perfection. Would that we might learn to illustrate it in our spheres as Nature does in all hers!" - William Henry Furness (1855)