Transcendentalism is a 19th-century philosophical movement that emphasizes the inherent goodness of people and nature, the importance of individual intuition and self-reliance, and the belief that spirituality transcends the physical and empirical. Key figures include Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. It advocates for a direct connection with the divine through nature and personal insight, rather than through organized religion or societal institutions.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a central figure in Transcendentalism, championed the idea of self-reliance and the need to break free from societal constraints. In his essay Self-Reliance, he argues that conformity stifles individuality and that true wisdom comes from trusting one’s inner voice. Emerson believed society often imposes artificial norms that hinder personal growth and spiritual connection. His “escape” from society wasn’t physical isolation but a philosophical stance: he encouraged people to live authentically, independent of societal expectations, and to seek truth through nature and introspection. This idea deeply influenced Thoreau, who later embodied it by living at Walden Pond.

To live authentically, independent of societal expectations, means to act in alignment with your true self, values, and intuition rather than conforming to external pressures, norms, or conventions. It involves self-awareness, rejecting superficial roles or expectations imposed by society, and embracing individuality. For Emerson, this meant trusting your inner voice, pursuing your own path, and finding meaning through personal experience and nature, rather than through societal approval or material success. It’s a call to prioritize inner truth over external validation.