The emerson mission

 By Dale Conour

In my writer’s mind (infinite capacity, limited functionality), I’ve been carrying around a beginning and an ending waiting for a story. The beginning is the clapping of hands by a teacher during a lesson, marking out a rhythm, and the ending is that rhythm eventually helps to reveal a glimpse at life, the universe and everything to a student, who suddenly hears a tune from the music of life in her head, feels its beat, and eyes wide in wonder, smiles a goofy smile and breathes out an apt though underachieving, "Wow." I’m finally getting to use that opener, but in a little different way.

This journal is the beginning of a story about how we’ve gone looking for glimpses, to learn whatever we can, and to hold onto a feeling of connection with the world around us. It’s far too easy for us today to sleepwalk, to, as the big joke in Shaun of the Dead goes, stagger through our day zombie like, unfeeling, uncaring, unaware of what's around us. And consequently, particularly those of us not tethered—or sure, freed, depending on your perspective—by the reassuring parameters of religion or philosophy or politics, often feel a deep alienation, a disconnect, with life. We’re generally happy with our lot, and should, if we have any perspective at all, but we’re still left with a nagging dissatisfaction; an "Is this all there is" which I feel has a distinct correlation to, "How do we fit in with it all?"

It’s not hard to figure how this happens. We’re all time crunched, we’re all inundated with the jetsam and flotsam of daily life, and we hurry along, blinders in place, intent on making a dent in our never ending to-do list. While the ’net gives us an efficient way to enjoy some sense of community, it doesn’t (yet?) deliver a strong physical and emotional link to the world around us. We know this, we complain about it, but few of us have figured out what to do about it without checking out of mainstream society—not an option for me or perhaps for you. Intrinsically, most of us know the answer isn't necessarily to step away, it’s to get in step, to become intimate, with the cycles of nature (including those within our bodies), to create our own rhythms of life, and to find positive ways to contribute to our society.

My first inspiration in this quest is the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the eminent 19th century writer, poet, and speaker. I’m not a scholar; I may be wrong in my assessment of Emerson’s efforts, I may have erred in my interpretation of his work. And I’m certainly picking and choosing. But what I’ve taken away from him is, very simply, how the appreciation of Nature’s qualities, how within the love of the world, there may lie the path to transcendence, the much needed advance in our intellectual and spiritual evolution.

I also just like the sound of the name. Emerson. It says nature, poetry, thoughtfulness, individuality. It evokes a time when natural history, philosophy, science and art were still interwoven. I will try to spend the rest of my ride engaged with the world around me, to be sensitive to its rhythms, to listen for the beats; to go through life in full appreciation of its contents. To learn the tunes, both bright and dark, that provide the soundtrack to existence.

And you’re welcome to journey along with me; what I find, what I try, will be faithfully recorded in this journal. And let me know what you think, what you’ve learned, what you've seen. I’m not interested in easy answers to tough questions, mind you, just in case you’re the guy with the microphone down on the corner. I believe no person, religion or institution holds a lock on wisdom. Wisdom doesn’t lie somewhere like a horde of treasure; rather, it’s a scattering of gems, with pieces sometimes found in the most unlikely of places. Like some game character, I want to collect these little jewels, to secure enough guidance to feel like I’m stumbling along in the general direction of a enlightened life.

And if you’re with me, maybe we’ll just have some fun. Or maybe, at some point along the way, we’ll laugh and eyes wide, share a glimpse at what the universe is, or of what we could be; a peek at our transcendence. Wouldn’t that be worth a "Wow."

"Man is made of the same atoms as the world is, he shares the same impressions, predispositions, and destiny. When his mind is illuminated, when his heart is kind, he throws himself joyfully into the sublime order, and does, with knowledge, what the stones do by structure." —Conduct of Life, Ralph Waldo Emerson

Let's stay in touch.

Comments

[missy]

I loved your article and your use of words!
I also am a Emerson fan and I look forward to reading your writings!