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I share a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, from The Over-Soul. "Over-Soul" was introduced by Emerson in 1844. The word implies a supreme, underlying unity which transcends duality or plurality, alike Advaita Vedanta.
Let man then learn the revelation of all nature and thought to his heart; this, namely; that the Highest dwells with him; that the sources of nature are in his own mind, if the sentiment of duty is there. But if he would know what the great God speaketh, he must 'go into his closet and shut the doors,' as Jesus said. God will not make himself manifest to cowards. He must gently listen to himself, withdrawing himself from all the accents of other men's devotion. Even their prayers are hurtful to him, until he has made his own. Our religion vulgarly stands on numbers of believers. Whenever the appeal is made,-no matter how indirectly,-to numbers, proclamation is then and there made that religion is not. He that finds God a sweet enveloping thought to him never counts his company. When I sit in that presence, who shall dare to come in? When I rest in perfect humility, when I burn with pure love, what can Calvin or Swedenborg say?
*Ralph Waldo Emerson. The Spiritual Emerson.
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Emerson relates that regardless of our unity with others, the religious impulse must arise from each of us for our experience of God to be real. Otherwise, we are simply mouthing the experience of others who really had spiritual experience.
Indeed, our relationship with the underlying Unity of all creatures frees us from bondage of will to any person or group. He or she who cannot be defiant before so-called religious authority has sold the soul to that idol.
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Such prostituting of the self is unbefitting human dignity. Yet, how many among the laity and clerics, too, dare not think for themselves? I surmise many clerics have not one single spiritual thought or conviction they can claim as their own? How many clerics have been numbed to Truth in sleepy compliance with ecclesiastical "authorities"? When we know the All, we do not have to be subject finally to any outside authority, though we will to share in Love with everyone and for the highest good.
You must, if you find true faith, find it yourself within yourself. If you do not find it within yourself, by yourself, you will not find it.
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Emerson addresses the problem of seeking numbers in religion. The postmodern church in America, in line with how to measure success in Western culture, is infatuated with numbers. Yet, Emerson sees a negative correlation between this focus on numbers and genuine religious devotion. We need to listen closely to what he is saying, as well as look closely at the Gospels.
Rather a religion have a few who have themselves, within themselves, come to know the Source, than to compromise itself and convert a myriad of persons who have no idea of the intimacy of their heart with the Heart of Life.
But what of the authority of the so-called great Christian thinkers? Emerson refers to Calvin and Swedenborg having no authority with him, when he is at "rest in perfect humility" and he does "burn with pure love." Calvin, the 16th Century French theologian, was a leader in the Protestant Reformation, after he broke with the Catholic Church. Swedenborg, born 1688, was a Swedish theologian, mystic, scientist, and philosopher. Emerson is not necessarily being critical of Calvin or Swedenborg - indeed, the latter had a positive influence on the thought of Emerson -, yet, his stance on their place - or, better, lack of it - beside the direct experience of the Divine is emphatic.
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