Nature

There is no true definition of what nature can be to someone. It usually has different meanings to different people. But to me, nature is a wonderful way to be taken into another world and become one with yourself in a spiritual way. Nature is one of the main keys of Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism involves the beliefs of nonconformity, self-reliance, free thought, confidence, and importance of nature. Both Ralph Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were two Transcendentalists who had strong views about the subject of being more involved with your intuition or the "Divine Soul" of what nature can truly be.

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience what nature can really mean to me. As I walked outside, I could feel the intensity of the illuminate sun shining across my face and the brown gushy mud sliding between my flip-flops. I then directed my hand over my forehead to protect the sun somewhat from my eyes. Initially, I thought how can I make this experience something similar to what Emerson had encountered? I didn't believe that I would get something out of it, but that it would be boring and a waste of time. Crouching down low avoiding the sharp scrawny limbs and scratchy leaves, I stepped into the woods with my friends. The forest was extremely vivid and had a distinct smell and various types of leaves and trees. The trees had soft green moss surrounded by small leaves, some turning brown, with tiny holes in them. As I wondered around, I still didn't as if I was getting anything out of it. Soon, everyone had broken up into small groups, and the forest had become much quieter. In the woods, there was a ROTC ropes course. In the middle, there was a giant net. Excitedly, everyone began to jump on it.

When it was cleared out by most of my classmates, my friends and I decided to take a try at it. At first, it was difficult but I quickly managed to get comfortable. As I glanced around the auburn woods, it seemed as if no one else was around. The footsteps and talking amongst my classmates were completely tuned out. Emerson once stated that "In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man in spit of real sorrows." While laying on the net, I began to forget about my stressful studies and just focused on what was then and there. There was no distraction as the serenity of the woods made it easier for me to be calmed and relaxed. I felt as if there was an internal peace within me and at that moment, my mind was free of anxiety, just as the quote described. In my opinion, my experience represented the importantce of nature and the self-reliance of transcendentalism. I had partially relied not only on nature, but myself to understand how important it could be to me.

David Henry Thoreau also stated that, "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." This is a quote from David Henry Thoreau. In this quote, Thoreau is describing how parts of nature like a lake, are beautiful features that are needed for the earths "eye". But the person who is in it can only determine themselves what nature they see and can only understand it with their own eyes. When I was in the woods I thought that the feeling of nature and all of its gorgeous surroundings would come easily to me so that I could interpret it as Emerson and Thoreau once did. However, my viewpoint changed completely once I was actually there. I began to realize that I cannot see nature if I only perceive it through my natural eye, but I must interpret it through means of my spiritual self. When I started to do so, the negativity of being in the woods had completely left me. This quote showed me also the self-reliance of transcendentalism. We can never understand nature if we don’t first depend on ourselves to see it on our own and not just by relying on nature itself. Thoreau's quote also expressed to me free thought.

The views of Emerson and Thoreau gave me a confidence that an experience with nature can be positive. It can open you to see the true beauty of nature for yourself. In conclusion, through the examples of quotes, both transcendentalists conveyed nonconformity, self-reliance, free thought, confidence, and importance of nature. Ralph Emerson and Henry David Thoreau’s outlook on nature through their writings of experiences greatly influenced my journey with nature.