Meditations of Ralph Waldo Emerson: Into the Green Future

by Chris Highland (Editor)

Carry Ralph Waldo Emerson’s wisdom with you in this inspirational guide that features 60 of his most insightful quotes. As an “adventuring heretic,” Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) challenged comfortable assumptions about nature, scientific understanding, and divine intelligence. The Sage of Concord’s writings continue to inspire and influence new generations of thinkers and readers as he bridges the wild places of the heart and intellect. In Meditations of Ralph Waldo Emerson , editor Chris Highland pairs 60 Emerson passages with inspirational quotes from historical and contemporary luminaries as diverse as Margaret Fuller, the Dalai Lama, and Jack Kerouac. Take this pocket-size guide with you on backpacks, nature hikes, and camping trips. Let Emerson’s words enrich your experience as you ponder the wilderness from riverbank, mountaintop, or as you relax beside your campfire. Inside you’ll
This portable sampler of 60 selections—from 30 years of Emerson’s writings—reveals the essence of Emerson’s spiritual vision. Journey into the mind and heart of this great 19th century author, poet, and philosopher whose writings remain relevant and inspiring today.

Genres: Poetry, Nature, Spirituality

143 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Author of Broken Bridges (2020), A Freethinker's Gospel (2018) as well as six natural meditation books beginning with Meditations of John Muir (2001); also Life After Faith (2010), My Address is a River (2010), the novel Jesus and John Muir (2010), Nature is Enough (2013) and other web-published works including poetry, essays and a childrens' book.

A former minister and chaplain in the SF Bay Area, he is now a freethinking humanist celebrant who teaches and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

Chris writes the weekly "Highland Views" column for the Citizen-Times and blogs at www.chighland.com.

Reviews

[Lisa-Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring selections of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writings on nature. This is just what you need when you have trouble sleeping.
“The fall of snowflakes in a still air, preserving to each crystal its perfect form; the blowing of sleet over a wide sheet of water, and over plains; the mimic waving of acres of houstonia, whose innumerable florets whiten and ripple before the eye…” Emerson spends his days exploring the Massachusetts countryside and waxing eloquent. I enjoy it because I’ve spent time in Concord and can picture the scene. I bought the book while visiting Emerson’s house. The meditations aren’t always on nature either: “I do not wish to treat friendships daintily, but with roughest courage. When they are real, they are not glass threads or frost-work, but the solidst thing we know. For now, after so many ages of experience, what do we know of nature or of ourselves?”
The book is a series of small meditations, combined with quotes from other scholars, perfect for dipping into when you need a respite.

[Leila Mota · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outro livro resgatado do ostracismo, graças à quarentena. Tudo que posso dizer desse livro é que vou relê-lo imediatamente. Não porque tenha me deslumbrado ou impactado, mas porque acho que tem mais a oferecer do que pude compreender. Não é pela religiosidade, pois tenho há muito o hábito de ler textos relacionados a religiões. Não é pela devoção à natureza, pois entendo, intelectualmente, a necessidade de respeitá-la e conservá-la. Intelectualmente, não por tendência natural. Não me vejo como contempladora da natureza. Não me vejo capaz de considerar a vida na natureza como meu ideal de vida. Urbana demais. Mas reconheci no texto algo que vai me fazer adotar essa atitude, possivelmente inédita, de acabar de ler um livro, especialmente de não-ficção, e recomeçá-lo. Tenho expectativas.

[Ali Hysong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has been my favorite of the short series. Great little thought provoking nuggets of wisdom. Quick and easy read, perfect series for meditation/ journaling.

[Sandy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great daily readings for Meditation bringing us back to nature.

[Donnie Hicks]

Excellent read!!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though some good thoughts on nature and humankind I still prefer Emerson's disciple Thoreau.