Divinity Scuola

I am not to excited about doing this blog right now. Emerson would not want me to be here. However, this blog is a good way for us to express ourselves and read our classmates work. I don't think Emerson would be against us sharing our ideas through a "21st century" portal.
Emerson would have us, through personal experience, gain knowledge of the all-permeating energy. He would want us to gain this for ourselves and no one else; and once we have the knowledge we can preach to others...through this blog (which has very little color, gray and white).
Emerson tried to impart this upon the young Harvard Divinity School graduates in 1838, but was rebuked. Emerson is very individualistic and his words solidify that. One thing I found especially interesting was Emerson's advice on interpretation. (We had this discussion last year in history I think.) Emerson believes that each individual should have his own interpretation, that ideas may cross over, but only if you accept them yourself. He says, "What he announces, I must find true in me, or wholly reject." I think that it is important that we have our own view of the world. The different views and interpretations of the world make it an interesting place. The different views go further than solely interest, contrasting ideas make way for progression and changes. The influx of youth and their new views clashing with the old and their wisdom fuels the flexibility of the human race.
Emerson goes on to say that that imitation is not flattery, but that "the Imitator dooms himself to hopeless mediocrity". If a person is focused more on someone else than themselves, they lose their own selves. An emulator no longer is an individual but becomes desolate and flat. But not only does the imitator lose themselves, but society as a whole loses what that person could have offered or added for the betterment of society. Obsessions with people, books, or non-personal things are very unhealthy. It is hard not to become too ensnared by a great idea or book, but it is important that the sense of self is continued. These things can help shape us or give us our own ideas, but it is a great loss when we let these things overcome and become us. There is more to life than the celebrities or one opinion, it is a crime to let ourselves become lost in these empty holes. "Imitation cannot go above its model." Emerson does not want us to disregard everyone else, he does not want the young preachers to disregard the church. He does want the preachers to use the church to fuel something greater, something that comes from within the self and can help others find there selves. In some cases, that is god or Jesus and others not. Emerson wants personal interpretations. He wanted the graduates to release the idea that "you must accept our interpretations". But unfortunately that was not the case in in 1838. After all the ruckus his speech caused I feel it made little change. Even today it seems we are continuing to hear the same "thoughtless clamor", with little room for the advancement of society.