tran·scend/tranˈsend/Verb 1. Be or go beyond the range or limits of (something abstract, typically a conceptual field or division). 2. Surpass (a person or an achievement).
Transcendentalismis a way of life that emerged in the 1800's. It grew out of the Second Great Awakening which was a movement that excited the passion of many tired relligious followers. The transcendentalists transcendend beyond average awareness of one's sub-conscious. Transcendentalists believe that every person has an Over-soul that connects them to their own spirituality and nature. The Over-soul keeps the body centered in all parameters of life such as spirituality, reality, and emotions. Although a person does not feel their Over-soul, it is always there to guide a person along whatever journey they choose, whether it be a search for meaning or a search for a divine sense of being.
The progression of Transcendentalism throughout the years since its foundation in the 19th Century can be compared to a autumn tree. The roots and the trunk of the tree are its founding beliefs like reverence of nature and separation from established society. The branches of the tree represent the ten commandments of Transcendentalism, discussed further on this site, which are:
-Nature
-Wisdom
-Beauty
-Rejection of Vanity
-Spirituality
-Friendship
-Spontaneity
-Living in the Moment
-Non-conformity
-Rejection of Technology
the leaves represent Transcendentalism today. Although some ideas still persist in modern society, most Transcendental values are dying and falling away from what the Transcendentalists originally set forth to practice. Transcendental ideals are lost in the vanity, greed, and violence of today's society.
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