DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52538#0040
30
That this negation of self demands retirement from the
world to a life of absolute seclusion will be considered in detail
in another section ; I will here only cite a record from Thoreau’s
diary from the year 1841, in which year the project of the
hermitage seems first to have taken form in his mind :
“ I want to go soon and live away by the pond where I
shall hear only the wind whispering among the reeds. It will
be success enough if I have left myself behind. ’ ’ * * * * §
b. Negation of the World.
The renunciation of the external and apparent carries with
it as inner necessity the negation of all worldly aspirations.
The world is a hindrance in the struggle towards perfection as
it continually distracts from the contemplation of the soul’s
high destiny and presents motives which appeal to egotism, to
the desire for present realization of the apparent self. Hence
the Vedas consider entire withdrawal from the world a
necessity of spiritual life.f Krishna, too, warns the young
Arjoon against the infection of worldliness :
“ The busy world is engaged from other motives than the
worship of the Deity. Abandon, then, O Son of Koon tee all
selfish motives and perform thy duty to me alone.
This was one of Thoreau’s messages to America :
“ I think, there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed
to poetry, to philosophy, ay, to life itself than this incessant
business.
Over and over he gives expression to the highest principle
which governs his life :
over the brook. I must not be for myself, but for God’s work and that
is always good. I will await the breeze patiently and grow as they shall
determine. . I feel as if I cotdd at any time resign my life and
the responsibility into God's hands and become as innocent andfree from
care as a plant or stone." (Spring, p. in.)
* Winter, p. 13.
t v. labala-Upan, p. 460.
JBhagvat Geeta, p. 15.
§ Miscellanies, p. 255.
That this negation of self demands retirement from the
world to a life of absolute seclusion will be considered in detail
in another section ; I will here only cite a record from Thoreau’s
diary from the year 1841, in which year the project of the
hermitage seems first to have taken form in his mind :
“ I want to go soon and live away by the pond where I
shall hear only the wind whispering among the reeds. It will
be success enough if I have left myself behind. ’ ’ * * * * §
b. Negation of the World.
The renunciation of the external and apparent carries with
it as inner necessity the negation of all worldly aspirations.
The world is a hindrance in the struggle towards perfection as
it continually distracts from the contemplation of the soul’s
high destiny and presents motives which appeal to egotism, to
the desire for present realization of the apparent self. Hence
the Vedas consider entire withdrawal from the world a
necessity of spiritual life.f Krishna, too, warns the young
Arjoon against the infection of worldliness :
“ The busy world is engaged from other motives than the
worship of the Deity. Abandon, then, O Son of Koon tee all
selfish motives and perform thy duty to me alone.
This was one of Thoreau’s messages to America :
“ I think, there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed
to poetry, to philosophy, ay, to life itself than this incessant
business.
Over and over he gives expression to the highest principle
which governs his life :
over the brook. I must not be for myself, but for God’s work and that
is always good. I will await the breeze patiently and grow as they shall
determine. . I feel as if I cotdd at any time resign my life and
the responsibility into God's hands and become as innocent andfree from
care as a plant or stone." (Spring, p. in.)
* Winter, p. 13.
t v. labala-Upan, p. 460.
JBhagvat Geeta, p. 15.
§ Miscellanies, p. 255.