The Orient in American Transcendentalism
Arthur Christy
“It is necessary to recognize the common ground of both the Over-Soul and Brahma for very similar results followed” writes Arthur Christy in his book, The Orient in American Transcendentalism. The first half of the book is dedicated to an analysis of various eastern philosophies alongside Emerson’s own insights. Christy proves that a thorough reading of Emerson’s essay, the “Over-Soul”, when paralleled to the Hindu idea of Brahma shows a unique mesh of Emerson’s Christian roots as well as a deep awareness and influence of Eastern texts.
Raised in New England by a Unitarian preacher for a father, Emerson was introduced to the Bible at a young age. He followed not far behind his father, educated at the Harvard Divinity School and eventually also became a Unitarian preacher in 1827. However, Emerson was also introduced to other spiritual texts by his Aunt Mary Moody Emerson such as, the Bhagavadgita, the Upanishad, and the Vedanta. In Emerson’s essay, the “Over-Soul”, he writes about an intangible yet unifying entity that is the moral essence connecting all things. Through earnest contemplation and devotion it is possible for one to become better connected to the moral wisdom imbued in the Over-Soul. “The ideal of the intellect is to discover the unifying principle which comprehends and governs both the subject and object. That there is such a unity is the working principle of logic and life for both Emerson and the Hindus.” (82)
