The Concept Of Individualism In Emerson's Self Reliance

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From the beginning, we said the perspective of Jyotish is that of looking at the soul as our own point of consciousness. In other words, my destiny is my world, from my point of view. This is a core philosophy based on the concept that the spirit which creates all things manifests as consciousness, of which we are a spark.
Another way of saying this is that what you perceive constitutes your world. Very simply, if you look up you see the sky, and if you look down you see dust.
This focus within our own point of view, as an expression of immortal soul consciousness, is described beautifully in one of Emerson’s most famous essays, Self Reliance. There are many beautiful ideas regarding that famous essay and the need to recognize and proclaim our individuality as our gift to ourselves and the world. I am quoting some which have a strong relevance to our subject:

“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, and the connection of events. Great men have always done so, and confided themselves childlike to the genius of their age, betraying their perception that the absolutely trustworthy was seated at the heart, working through their hands, predominating in all their being.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson. “Self Reliance”)

What a beautiful description of the acceptance of destiny as our own point of view — that one’s individuality is unique and perfect for the current circumstances.

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