I was surfing through the net reading out loud some classic poems by English writers when I came across a poem named ‘Brahma’- being Indian, which naturally fuelled my curiosity. Emerson wrote this poem in 1857.
Furthermore, as I started reading about Emerson, essays on him gave me sweet surprises, in that era and time, Emerson was challenging the traditional thought.
In 1835, he married his second wife, Lydia Jackson, and settled in Concord, Massachusetts. Known in the local literary circle as “The Sage of Concord,” Emerson became the chief spokesman for Transcendentalism, the American philosophic and literary movement. Centered in New England during the nineteenth century, Transcendentalism was a reaction against scientific rationalism.
Emerson’s first book, Nature (1836), is perhaps the best expression of his Transcendentalism, the belief that everything in our world—even a drop of dew—is a microcosm of the universe. His concept of the Over-Soul—a Supreme Mind that every man and woman share—allowed Transcendentalists to disregard external authority and to rely instead on direct experience. “Trust thyself,” Emerson’s motto, became the code of Margaret Fuller, Bronson Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and W. E. Channing.
In his poem the ‘Brahma’ appears to be the only speaker, sustaining the continuity of the work. That the spirit is the only speaker signifies not only its absolute nature but also its sustaining power, upon which the existence of entire universe metaphorically, the poem is based.
BRAHMA
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
If the red slayer think he slays,
Or if the slain think he is slain,
They know not well the subtle ways
I keep, and pass, and turn again.
Far or forgot to me is near;
Shadow and sunlight are the same;
The vanished gods to me appear;
And one to me are shame and fame.
They reckon ill who leave me out;
When me they fly, I am the wings;
I am the doubter and the doubt,
I am the hymn the Brahmin sings.
The strong gods pine for my abode,
And pine in vain the sacred Seven;
But thou, meek lover of the good!
Find me, and turn thy back on heaven.
The poem is composed in the form of an utterance- a form which comprises sublime or metaphysical content.
It is known that the first group of American thinkers who observed the non-western philosophy were the transcendentalists.
It is also noteworthy for my readers here, how close he already was to know what leading a great life meant, when he spoke on What is Success?
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to me, one has succeeded in life ! ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Thank you.
If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road to Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste
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I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly,
As a co-traveller, share my Ten Lessons I learnt from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.
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Interesting and knowledgeable facts by the learned writer Narayan
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There was much discussion of transcendentalism back in the 60’s when I was at college. It’s nice to see it being talked about again.
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Yes, Caro i was getting into it, and let myself know when I was researching for this post. But trust me- its only me who felt this should be shared else I didn’t hear anyone talking about it 🙂
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Yes, wonderful facts. Thank you.
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Excellent, and very interesting post, ❤❤❤😊😊😊
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Thank you, Aparna Ji.
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It came as a sweet surprise, Narayan, to see your today’s post because Ralph Valdo Emerson is one of the thinkers
I greatly admire, and whose words of wisdom, I often quote.
And I knew from the title that I would love your post! You have skillfully pinpointed the essential Emerson’s thoughts, central to his beliefs, and by including his poem, a few biographical facts about Emerson, and his mantra about what a well-lived life constitutes to be successful, expanded the minds of your readers, in itself a triumph for a writer.
You are, Narayan, one of the most interesting writers, as you chose fascinating topics and strived to show the less-known
side of it.
Let Ralph Valdo Emerson have the last word of advice:
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best.”
Thank you, Narayan, for another masterpiece of your writing! I liked the images too!
Joanna
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Thank you my dearest Joanna. And so much for Mr. Emerson having the last word, absolutely. Thank you.
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Thank you, Narayan, for your generous reply! I do hope to see more of your excellent writing!
And, of course, the wisdom of Emerson’s words works for me too!
Joanna
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An old favourite, have always loved this poem. The quote on success is also much loved and believed in. Thanks for sharing both and about transcendentalism.
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Thank you, dear Diti.
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Fell in love with Emerson’s essays a long, long time ago. He was inspired by Hindu thought.
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David, first of all, lovely to have you here. and for the hindu thought comment, as it opened a new ‘set’ for me to study some of his works again, from a fresh and my ‘indian’ mindset.
More so, I remember the first time i found your profile on Twitter. I am a Table Tennis player and have all along thought of giving Tennis a thought, of course only practice playing. Lets see, i will try reading more of your thoughts on Tennis. So thank you.
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The concept is a subject of many debates. Today I was listening to Swami Sarvapriyanandaji. Even his scholarly lectures leave so many questions unanswered. I am the doubting soul who will always fall short of being an achiever. But always remain a seeker. I am satisfied being so ….at least at the moment.
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We are seekers GC. Even if all the questions of the world are answered, i think we living here are blessed to even come out with more questions and doubts even after knowing and finding all the books in our literature. It is rather a beautiful thing and it is right, as to know life our way is our right. Similarly, its also important to learn to appreciate wisdom shared by saints, writers, explorers of however they came accross in their journey of seeking.
Thank you so much for saying it right GC.
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saying it as it is*
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I don’t remember learning much about Emerson in school other than he was a transcendentalist. I appreciate his words so much more now. “Trust thyself” and “What Is Success?” Genius.
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Thank you so much, dear Crystal. Me too, just like you. Thanking him after finding appreciation of what he did.
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Hello, Narayan. Quite the coincidence seeing this. I’ve been following a thread where Emerson keeps appearing. Very fond of him, and that is a wonderful poem. Best wishes. 🙂
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Thank you, dear Michael. I really liked knowing and reading this that you are fond of him. In college, i wasn’t probably at the right age to understand and learn the trajectory he created with his works. I really look forward to re-go through his works with new found vigour and understanding.
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I’ve found that to be true, Narayan. Some writers and even metaphysical ideas we encounter early and aren’t ready to be receptive to them. It’s like we’re being introduced to them for future reference, then we circle back when we’re older and suddenly we connect. Keep well.
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Thanks for sharing this, Narayan. I know nothing about Emerson’s work. His definition of success makes lot of sense to me.
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Thank you, dear Rosa. Yes I too am only delving now in his work. He seemed to have created a lifetime of work that i feel can be important to study again, after 100 years or so.
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Emerson did not write the success thing. It was written by a writer named Bessie A. Stanley, who was responding in 1906 to a contest held by a newspaper in Kansas, which asked its readers to define success. Lots things are attributed to Emerson that he didn’t write and couldn’t have known about. Emerson’s “Nature” is so beautiful and so true. “Self-Reliance,” too. It doesn’t really matter. People are going to keep thinking Emerson wrote that and my little objection won’t change anything, but I wanted you to know.
I taught “Self-Reliance” in a college writing class just because I love it and it’s difficult. I made a paragraph by paragraph worksheet so it would be easier for my students. My thesis advisor, Dr. Robert D. Richardson, Jr, had just done a new edition of Emerson’s Essays. I wrote him and told him what I was doing. He answered that he would send an autographed copy to any of my students who wanted one. I asked the class and to my complete surprise ALL of them raised their hands. I sent the information to Dr. Richardson and he sent back 35 copies, each inscribed personally. He later wrote a biography of Emerson called The Mind on Fire.
I love Emerson’s work very much. It has been very influential in some of my life’s choices. ❤️
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Thank you for this important comment, dear Martha. I believe you, and of course you must be right.
I quoted this from a book on ‘Success’ that Ralph Emerson wrote, i think it was published in 1912. Do you think it must have been put to his name by people?
Has it happened that you have been finding this ‘success’ statement being attributed to him, even before.
The mind on fire, i will look it up and try getting it. You know, may be i have arrived at that time now to understand the depth and context of his work and i would really to read his works, even as i feel and concurred by a fellow comentator that he was inspired by the hindu thought, rather i would say, hindus and he(emerson), are inspired by the nature taking centre thought.
Thank you so much Martha, I am only getting, and feeling excited to know him better.
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It’s commonly attributed to Emerson. I don’t think it matters. He’s dead it inspires people and makes them want to read his work. The lady who wrote it is also dead and might feel honored to be mistaken for Emerson. Chances are good she read his work.
He wrote a beautiful essay on walking ❤️
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See I’m no better? 🤣 Thoreau wrote the essay, “Walking” Emerson wrote the introduction. It’s a good companion to Emerson’s “Nature.”
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Thanks again Martha, i will read it.
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Dear Martha, i wish i had written sooner, but this month had kept me occupied with work. You are right. Also i would love to get my hands on that walking book, may be some day i would like to write my own in and for the digital age 🙂
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Nara it’s just an essay. You can find Thoreau’s essay “walking” online 😊
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I will dear Martha, also I notice you keep leaving me out of your world to let me.in again 🙂
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I don’t know how that happens, but the REAL door is always open. 😊
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🔱❤️🙂
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🙂 ❤️ 🙏
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Intresting with very nice article ✅
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Thank you Birendra.
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I have never heard of them, but the philosophy reminds me of Gnosticism, which also rejects authorities over people’s own spirit and conscience. The microcosm idea and the interconnectedness of everything is a very old concept, and it is now confirmed by quantum physics. Why did it have to take thousands of years? 😉
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Dear Stella, i wish i had written sooner, but i’ve been quite occupied this month. Well, to us Indians, the philosophy has been a part of our culture ever since, for all those thousands of years, and i guess it wouldn’t have still be known outside of subcontinent had internet taken a longer time to arrive. Thank you for your important comment.
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Lovely post, Narayan! By that definition of success, anyone can feel their life is worthwhile. It’s beautiful and should be taught in schools, maybe it will prevent many suicides.
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Dear Harini, i wish i had written sooner but this month end i had to complete one documentary project, and hence i could not even write to you on our quiet wonderful and important discussion that we had on the last post. Nevertheless, i aim to develop a better school system at my school. Because schools really need to adapt to the changes happening outside, its the need of the hour.
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Thanks, Narayan. I am happy to know about the improvements you’re making in your school. Wish I could visit it some day! I’m also glad that you were not upset by my comments on your recent post.
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We actually have no space here Harini, so ratio of experiments increase till the right time comes to expand.
I would also wish if someday I can host you. And That ll actually be a win of this platform 🙂
And come on! Upsetting views are having no views at all. And we who come from different mother tongues have a sea of knowledge to learn from.
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🤗🤗
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I recently stopped my meditation routine & I’m left in a no-man’s land of doubts & frustrations! Then, dear Narayan, you write this wonderful post & once again I hear the voice of Earth’s vitality within! 🙏🙏🙏
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Dearest Ashley, i wish i had written sooner, thank you. I think in our world today, breaking a rhythm is akin to losing so much more than just a day of meditation. It is the best, top most habit if one can have. I hope you are back at it dear friend. And you out of all, should never doubt. You are on the path, i know it. 🙂
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I was familiar with RWE’s poem about success, but not the Brahma poem. It’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.
Alison 🙏
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Dear Alison, thank you for your comments. I hope you have been resting. Himalayas haven’t seen much snow even till now but, its icy cold. Climate is slowly making its presence felt.
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I am inspired by your reflection, the poem, and the ending quote. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you wellness on your journey.
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Hi dear Ali, was ecstatic to see your comment, just couldn’t find time sooner to thank you, so thank you and I hope you are creating a beautiful space for you to create more. I also hope to come and visit your endearing poems often.
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The last line of Emmerson’s words rings true with me…
“…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to me, one has succeeded in life.”
Imagine what our world would be like if we all lived these words. In the Christian faith we are taught… “the first shall be last and the last first… Love God and Love your neighbor as you love your self.” So much of this concept seems lost in our world today, where success is power and wealth gained at whatever cost. Very sad indeed.
I loved your post and your message to all of us.
Dwight
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Thank you dear friend Dwight. I do not know why i felt asking you, do you watch Cricket?
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Ha ha… I do not watch Cricket. It does not come on our TV channels. Just football basketball, and soccer (foot ball)
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Right but it should come now as the US will be hosting the first cricket world cup this year 🙂
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How interesting!
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A lovely poem, and what an interesting poem form! I’ve never heard of an utterance but it makes so much sense! “a form which comprises sublime or metaphysical content.” – love that! ☺️
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Thank you, dear Sunra.
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It takes courage to believe in this philosophy but it’s the beat way to justify my actions in life. But does it have to be nature that triggers such self reliance?
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