Mark Tully assesses Henry David Thoreau’s influence, 150 years after his death.
Advocate of the simple life, champion of emancipation, and fervent opponent of government interference in the lives of citizens, Thoreau’s 19th century ideals have inspired civil rights leaders from Mahatma Gandhi to Martin Luther King.
He is also much revered in mindfulness circles for his belief in simplicity and the presence of spirituality in nature; a philosophy woven throughout his books and essays.
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us even in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavour. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”
You can listen to the programme by clicking on the following link Something Understood – Henry David Thoreau
The programme lasts 30 minutes. It’s available only until 11.59pm, Sunday 13th May. I hope you enjoy it.
Henry David Thoreau lived at Walden Pond from July 1845 to September 1847. His experience at Walden provided the material for the book Walden, which is credited with helping to inspire awareness and respect for the natural environment.
Image courtesy of timhettler
Thank you so much for this link. I was having quite some trouble ‘affecting the quality of the day’ in a positive direction and this 30 minutes of truth really helped me to find my mindful map, which was hidden somewhere under a pile of filing. The filing remains – but my relationship with it has changed :-)
Glad you enjoyed it Melissa – anyone else out there who thought that Thoreau had something to say, mindfully speaking, and thus enjoyed listening to the programme?