New Facebook Image/Transcendentalism

[JoeKayeParticipant]

The new Facebook image features a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of the originators of the transcendental movement of the 1800’s, in America.

Taken from Wikipedia for RWE and Transcendentalism:

Emerson wrote on a number of subjects, never espousing fixed philosophical tenets, but developing certain ideas such as individuality, freedom, the ability for humankind to realize almost anything, and the relationship between the soul and the surrounding world. Emerson’s “nature” was more philosophical than naturalistic: “Philosophically considered, the universe is composed of Nature and the Soul”. Emerson is one of several figures who “took a more pantheist or pandeist approach by rejecting views of God as separate from the world.”

A core belief was in the inherent goodness of both people and nature. Transcendentalists believed that society and its institutions ultimately corrupted the purity of the individual, and had faith that people are at their best when truly “self-reliant” and independent.

The transcendentalists desired to ground their religion and philosophy in transcendental principles: principles not based on, or falsifiable by, physical experience, but deriving from the inner spiritual or mental essence of the humans.

Going deeper into this today, but thought I’d leave my starting point with the rest of y’all!

[ReidVParticipant]

Good job @jkonigsberg, glad to hear you’ll be joining us Sunday!

So are you implying that OOA might be a religion with a transcendentalist value system?

If so how might that play into their actions/goals?

[JoeKayeParticipant]

Not necessarily a religion per se, more of a spiritual sensibility. I have a couple of friends who practice transcendental meditation as a way to find inner peace and enlightenment. Isn’t the OOA promising enlightenment? If the point of trance (just gonna use that as shorthand now) is to find the power in oneself instead of the physical world around us it seems VERY close to what the OOA is trying to show us.

[ReidVParticipant]

Hmm did you hear that in certain Consultations early on Aspirants were asked to meditate? They focused on a picture of themselves.

I practice zazen and this sounds similar. In zazen the general purpose is to find awareness in the present moment, thematically this seems close to what the OOA has presented so far as well.

[CodyParticipant]

Have you heard of sound being used to induce these moments of awareness? The chime bowls, Bells and mantras are utilized in meditation to Key or tune to separate chakras. Much as light colors and patterns can induce other brainwave states/states of awareness. Even causing the pineal gland to release natural DMT with certain colors and patterns. Ive always found that quite interesting.
There was a reconstruction of Stonehenge built, And when music was played It would reverberate off the walls causing an echo effect that would make a drum sound like many in the center. These rhythmic sounds have also been found to be adequate in inducing different brainwave states at different frequencies.
Beware the Bianural beat. Do not play with these unless you know the source.

[Author]

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