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Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. It is the spirit of God pronouncing his works good.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The Spirit of God

Topic: Prayer, Meditation, & Contemplation

Prayer that craves a particular commodity, anything less than all good, is vicious. Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. It is the soliloquy of a beholding and jubilant soul. It is the spirit of God pronouncing his works good.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Journey of a Visionary: Life, Teachings, and Legacy

Early Life

Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on May 25, 1803, in Boston, Massachusetts, into a family of Unitarian ministers. From an early age, he was exposed to the ideals of transcendentalism and the power of individual thought, which would later shape his philosophical outlook. After attending Harvard College, he began his career as a minister, but a crisis of faith led him to resign in 1832. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his journey as a writer and thinker, as he traveled to Europe, where he met influential figures like Thomas Carlyle and William Wordsworth. These experiences ignited his passion for exploring the relationship between humanity and nature, setting the stage for his later contributions to literature and philosophy.

Teachings

Emerson is best known for his profound teachings on individualism, self-reliance, and the inherent goodness of people and nature. His seminal essays, such as "Nature" and "Self-Reliance," advocate for the importance of personal intuition and the rejection of societal conformity. He believed that true wisdom comes from within and that each person should trust their inner voice rather than rely on external authorities. Emerson’s ideas laid the groundwork for the transcendentalist movement, inspiring countless individuals to seek deeper connections with themselves and the world around them. His eloquent prose and insightful observations encouraged a spirit of self-discovery and social reform, influencing generations of thinkers, writers, and activists.

Death

Ralph Waldo Emerson passed away on April 27, 1882, in Concord, Massachusetts, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire. His writings and philosophical teachings have transcended time, influencing not only literature and philosophy but also social movements such as civil rights and environmentalism. Emerson’s belief in the power of the individual and the importance of personal integrity resonates with many today, reminding us of our potential to effect change in the world. As we reflect on his life, we are encouraged to embrace our unique voices, pursue our passions, and foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and the universe, ensuring that his visionary spirit lives on in our hearts and minds.

(1803-1882) Humanism, Arts and Sciences

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Prayers." In Essays: Second Series, 1844.

Ralph Waldo Emerson


Theme: Prayer

“Prayer that craves a particular commodity, anything less than all good, is vicious. Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. It is the soliloquy of a beholding and jubilant soul. It is the spirit of God pronouncing his works good.”

—Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Prayers.” In Essays: Second Series, 1844.

In this quote, Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests that prayer should not be seen merely as a medium for asking for specific desires or commodities. Rather, it should be an act of seeking ‘all good,’ indicating a holistic well-being and universal good. This emphasizes his belief in the interconnectedness of all things and beings, a key element of transcendentalist philosophy, implying that our desires should not be narrowly self-centered but instead should resonate with the betterment of all.

In the second part of the quote, Emerson shifts the traditional view of prayer as a plea or request to a divine entity. Instead, he sees prayer as a contemplation of life from the highest vantage point. It is a moment for the soul to introspect, to behold the world and revel in its jubilance. It’s a solitary discourse where the soul communes with the divine, reflecting the inherent goodness of creation. This view aligns with his transcendentalist belief in the inherent goodness of individuals and nature. Thus, according to Emerson, prayer becomes less about supplication for personal gains, and more about acknowledging and appreciating the innate divinity and goodness of the universe.

Additional Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.”

—Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Friendship.” In Essays: First Series, 1841.

Friendship

“A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud. I am arrived at last in the presence of a man so real and equal, that I may drop even those undermost garments of dissimulation, courtesy, and second thought, which men never put off, and may deal with him with the simplicity and wholeness with which one chemical atom meets another.”

—Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Friendship.” In Essays: First Series, 1841.

Our spiritual nature:

“We live in succession, in division, in parts, in particles. Meantime within man is the soul of the whole; the wise silence; the universal beauty, to which every part and particle is equally related; the eternal ONE.”

—Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “The Over-Soul.” In Essays: First Series, 1841.

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