Transcendentalism
is on the move, its everywhere. From posters, pamphlets, newspapers, to
advertisements saying that it is a good thing… but what is it? As a Christian,
the question becomes, who is this authority figure, and who makes the judgement
calls from what is right, verses what is wrong? The definition of transcendentalism is a
simple idea. It is the indication of equality; people, men and women, having
knowledge about themselves and the world around them that goes beyond what they
see, touch, taste or hear. According to philosophers, this knowledge comes from
intuition and imagination, not through logic or the senses.
People can trust themselves to be their own authority on what is right. A transcendentalist
is a person who accepts these ideas not as religious beliefs but as a way of
understanding life relationships. However, I do not agree with what a
transcendentalist may proclaim.
The whole
idea of Transcendentalism originated in the 1960’s when Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
came to the United States and was torn by all the issues at hand: race, riots,
drugs, that all were ruining upcoming youth. He began lecturing on the virtues
of “scientific” answers to all spiritual parts of man. People thought of him as
a “savior”, who brought a time of “meditation” to many people. Transcendentalism
can also be a type of meditation that claims to relieve anxiety, and fears.
Essentially, it “opens the mind to greater things.” However, the worst anxiety
a person can have is far deeper then stress, it has to do with life or death.
Only God can eliminate that kind of anxiety.
Those who wanted to participate in
this new ideology were asked to bring fruit, flowers and a handkerchief to
their first session. These items were then placed in front of a picture of
Maharishis master, Guru Nev, who passed away. The instructor proceeds to sing a
song in ancient Sanskrit, language of the Hindu religion and the newcomer is
supposed to bow afterwards. This song is in parses of Hindu gods and meant to
invoke the spirits. One might be asking where the church stood with all this.
Surly they didn’t buy into all of this. Wrong. Even the church leaders were sold
on the idea and promoting it to their congregations. Christ is missing from the
equation, replaced by idles, breaking the first commandment: “No other gods
before me” God speaking.
God gives us clear guidelines to
live by, told to us in the bible. We are told that our ignorant activities and
fears are caused by our separation from Him.
We are not divine and cannot reach God by our own efforts; we cannot
save ourselves, nor can we exercise or meditate ourselves out of our
anxieties...only the Holy Spirit can help. The Bible warns about evil powers
and spirits. Evil spirits are real
beings: they are personalities not just 'forces'. Human beings cannot stand against beings that
are made mightier than us, unless God is on our side. He is the highest
authority and reins over everything, creator of all. (Genesis 1:1). He is the
one who gives us courage and strength from evil. He still gives us the right to
choose, acting the way we want. However, all he asks of us is to shine His
light and spread his word to others to know that they are loved and can be
forgiven.
As far as whether I am a
Transcendentalist, I’m far from it. It goes against all my beliefs, and against
everything that God stands for. He is my highest authority, not spirits nor any
idles.
