Philosophies and Beliefs

• Basic truths come from- intuition; - non-conformity.

• Rejected society because it is corrupt.

• Intuition valued over intellectualism

• Intuition is all we need to • figure out the great mysteries of life • behold God’s spirit.

• One is born with knowledge and you need to meditate or turn to nature to obtain that knowledge.

Philosophies and Beliefs

• Nature = Self Knowledge

• Humans are born good

• All humans possess a spark of divine is within

• Church not required to be religious.

• Physical facts of the natural world are a doorway to the spiritual world.

Key Traits1.Simplicity/ not materialistic2.Individualism3.Self-reliance4.Rosy, optimistic view of life5.Imagination6.Spontaneous feelings and intuition

Who needs an organized church

when you can turn to nature

Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau

- Follow you OWN intuition and beliefs.- “Nature” and “Self-Reliance”

Major Transcendentalists

-Live simply and disobey what you think are unjust laws- “Walden” and “Civil Disobedience”

- All individuals are related to both the natural world and their inner selves.

- Everything in the world, including human beings, is a reflection of the divine soul.