Walden Pond Experience

Written by Anvitha Voruganti

Stepping into the serene realm of nature, I found myself reminiscing when I lived on a farm for two weeks in the summer. Reliving a second Thoreauvian experience was one that made me appreciate nature once again. The air was alive with the symphony of the wind and rustling leaves, while the gentle murmur of the pond's ripples intrigued me. As I approached, a sense of tranquility enveloped me, transporting me into a world where no other noise mattered. A world where school, anxiety, problems, hardships, and grief did not matter. A world where it was quiet, peace was restored, and we weren’t in constant battle with ourselves and everyone around us.

This summer I lived my first Thoreauvian experience at Haritachala, Tiruvannamalai. For two weeks I experienced a digital detox while living on a farm. Haritachala was a sanctuary, a place of experiences and reflection. Just as Thoreau sought solace in the wilderness of Walden Pond, refuge was found in the simplicity and beauty of the farm. Here, amidst the whispering leaves and shimmering waters, there was a profound connection to something greater than the human body, a connection that transcended the boundaries of time and space. Though we were at Hartiachala for a significant amount of time, it did not feel like it. I was having such a wonderful time with everyone that was there and the nature it felt like it went by so quickly. I continuously had a desire for this experience again and I am grateful that I was able to experience a small sliver of it during our field trip. 

Leaving camp behind, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. Like Thoreau, I had glimpsed the transcendent power of nature to awaken the soul and inspire the spirit. And though I may have returned to everyday life, the memory of camp continues to linger. The experience is a reminder of the beliefs of the transcendentalists who sought truth and beauty in the natural world. Transcendentalism celebrates nature as a source of spiritual insight and personal growth. Transcendentalists emphasize the idea of the connection between humanity and nature. Rooted in the belief that divinity pervades all aspects of the natural world, it also emphasizes the importance of individual intuition and experience in understanding truth. It is also significant to understand that by immersing oneself in the natural world, one can access deeper truths and insights inaccessible through conventional life. I was able to experience this during camp and during our trip to the Oak Park pond. 

At the Oak Park pond, I noticed a lot of ripples in the water. Transcendentalists like Henry David Thoreau often contemplated the ripple effect of human actions on the natural world. Transcendentalists believe that each person's connection to life is based on our choices and behaviors, ones that have far-reaching consequences. Just as the smallest disturbance on the surface of a pond can create waves that ripple across its entirety, so too can our actions influence the lives of others and shape the world we inhabit. Moreover, the nature of ripples serves as a reminder of the impermanence of existence. Just as quickly as they appear, ripples fade away, merging back into the stillness of the water from which they arose. The idea of the fleeting nature of life itself urges us to embrace each moment with mindfulness and appreciation.

In contemplating the ripples of water, we are invited to reflect on our existence. We can reflect upon the fact that nature and life are all interconnected on a larger level. Like the interconnected ripples on the surface of a pond, we are all part of a larger whole, bound together by the shared experience of being alive. Every living organism, from a human to a plant is all embedded in the same larger aspect of the world. By recognizing the interconnectedness of all things, we can cultivate a deeper sense of empathy, compassion, and appreciation for the natural world and one another. Through the connection with nature, transcendentalists like Thoreau and Emerson sought to connect with the universal truths that are embedded within the natural world. Nature, in its beauty and simplicity guides individuals toward self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment. Through both my experiences at the pond and at Haritachala I was able to experience what Thoreau was all about. This connection was so deep for me since when I was looking through Guruji’s library this book was in it.