Individual progress is galvanized by one's own mentality that cultivates authenticity and rejects imitation. In Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance, transcendentalist principles are a recurring issue that aspires to individuality within oneself and shows the adoption of foreign principles such as lack of possession and loss of sense of self. Furthermore, Emerson's views oppose division in Christianity and encourage connection by labeling institutions and codification of truth as non-imperative within the religion. Through spiritual intuition, avoiding running away from innovation and shifting one's attention from the distant to the present, individuality manifests itself and the sacredness of the mind is galvanized. Anti-rationalism and the strengthening of personal beliefs are the essence of transcendentalism in Emerson's literary work. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The duality that comes from the duel between dependence on the outside world and self-reliance hinders the unity and dignity within us and in our fortune. Luck is obtainable and already accessible in our hands, but can only be revealed through deliberate action and self-actualization (Emerson 324). When we distance ourselves from the crowd, from common activity and from ordinary power, greatness emerges from nonconformity. Society will cease to evolve if individuals rely on others for innovation and change, forward change can only be initiated by those who do not fear prevailing by standing alone (Emerson 328). The solution to personal discontent may not be found in multitudes, but rather through isolation. Because transcendentalist principles see the world as fueled by the dynamism and interconnectedness of all beings, one must see oneself as broadly tied to all that coexists with oneself. However, one's interconnectedness with living and inanimate beings does not mean that the outside world defines us, but rather our greatness that comes from our personal pride fuels this coexistence with others. By respecting the simple regions of life and obeying one's intuition, life will flourish in all ways and discontent will no longer manifest itself due to conforming to external views and mass mentalities that aim to repress (Emerson 326). New powers emerge as self-confidence flourishes, and one should not be discouraged when rejection from others emerges. Man was born to change customs and man was born to be idolized when his way of life emerges from his depths. In all endeavors, development is arrested by the masses and pre-existing ideals that reject the innate potential that emerges from individuals who embrace their innate internal strength. The voice of an intermediary should not prevent individuals from developing their own culture without relying on social progress. Social progress can only emerge when individual progress becomes a focus for many. Undoubtedly, Emerson and the transcendentalists advocate the conscious cultivation of individualism while they are against mistakenly following other traditional paths since they are more commonly accepted. According to Emerson, conformity is equivalent to death and giving high esteem to the individual mind is great. As Emerson said “ne te quaesiveris extra,” he is urging society as a whole to respect its own spontaneity, its own truth (Emerson Central). “The whole cry of voices” is exemplary of individuals losing sight of their good fortune when social norms and institutionsthey cloud authenticity. Human beings will perpetually retain the potential to create themselves and forge their own individualism, but this is only made possible by self-dependence. Equally important, Emerson delineates God as a force rather than a character or idea as organized religion tends to do. This transcendentalist vision is the basis on which prayer is judged selfish and rebellious to God's purpose. God is not seen as sensitive to prayer, but rather is seen as an omnipotent presence to which one must not implore or seek an answer since God is an omniscient force. Emerson rejects prayer as a form of communication because prayer is based on selfish purposes. Through prayer, man seeks “foreign virtues” absent in present life, and this leads to a loss of position of God's power as a supernatural power that is miraculous and mediating (Emerson 324). Seeking a situation other than what God provides in your current circumstances is rejection and discontent leading to a fierce succession of dissatisfaction. Ignoring God's interconnectedness with other beings, humans lack awareness that God speaks to each soul in different ways and not necessarily by answering prayers. Finally, every single soul's connection with God should not be hindered by mortifying institutions that traditionalize truths and turn them into rules. Within Emerson's Self-Reliance an important principle held by many transcendentalists is presented that is primarily aimed at institutions that aim to influence one's altruistic beliefs. Persistence on altruistic beliefs about God is a powerful aspect that should not be influenced by religious institutions. God is not heard through commandments, but is heard through nature and perceived as an energetic force. Emerson's hostility towards the church is mainly due to his fixation on the material world rather than focusing on heaven (Capper). This was common during the era of transcendentalism as other Europeans also held the idea that the divinity of God was present in a spiritual form that could not be perceived only through the codification of its truth, for example the Bible. Transcendence can only be possible through accepting our intuitions about God and not relying on external sources nor the outside world. Authentic beliefs begin with respecting the truths of life, not the truths established by others. Relying on others leads to a lack of progress in society and diminishes connection with oneself and God. Men lack support when they over-rely on forms that deviate from natural events. This is not only true in religion, but also in relationships, professions and education. Progress in different aspects of life can only be achieved through appreciating the good and not adhering to external crowds. Dependence on foreign support must be reversed and man need not fear being alone (Emerson 328). Inheriting a trait is not a curse, it is a gift, and there is no need to be ashamed of innate gifts simply because they do not assimilate to pre-existing standards. Weakness is cultivated when men seek the good not in themselves, but in others. The beginning of peace begins from an internal source and can only expand when we distance ourselves from the multitude (Emerson 328). A multitude may have strength, but the strength itself has no effectiveness if it is simply an effort to bring together a larger crowd. This effort lacks originality and no truth can emerge from it. Shakespeare, Newton, Bacon, Franklin and Washington were all in absolute possession of the studies and the.