Learning Experience

Two quotes from Emerson particularly affected me: 

'Society is a wave. The wave moves onward, but the water of which it is composed does not.'

           Given an abundance of Emerson quotes, I was particularly drawn to the one above. The 

diction of the quote is peaceful; the imagery of a calming wave surfaces, but the underlying message 

is relatively dark. The metaphor of society as a wave and individual people as drops of water allow 

the reader to feel insignificant in a peaceful kind of way. Simultaneously, Emerson forces us to 

acknowledge that we will not be a part of society forever. Clear and concise, the quote evokes a 

stream of thought from the reader. 

             Whether we ourselves have had a near-death experience or have known someone who has 

passed, we have all graveled with the concept of death. It’s uncomfortable. Death is treated as almost 

a taboo topic because our own impermanence is scary.

               Upon reflecting on Emerson’s insight, I’m reminded of my room mate, Alex, whom is in 

a class called Death and Dying. I ask her about it often because I think learning about how society 

copes with and grieves death is extremely relevant. The concept of society as a wave is a powerful 

metaphor to depict the role of people. 

“Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind” 

                To fulfill my religion requirement at TCU, I took a course called Latino Religion. 

Truthfully, I only enrolled in the class because I anticipated it would be less rigorous than a Bible 

study class or World Religions. The first week of class, we defined what religion is, according to the 

philosopher, Paul Tillich. According to Tillich, everyone is religious. Everyone is concerned 

ultimately with one thing, or idea. There is one idea or organization or something that takes 

precedence over every other facet of a person’s life. This facet of one’s life that takes precedence is 

called your “ultimate concern.”

                 Tillich also explains that spiritual fulfillment may only be achieved if your ultimate 

concern is “infinite.” That is, if you’re concerned ultimately with something finite, such as aesthetic, 

you will not live a fulfilled life because beauty fades. 

                 Tillich’s theory has rooted in my mind, and I think about it often. What you’re ultimately 

concerned with says an awful lot about your character. For example, I actively try to not be so 

consumed with the thought of financial instability and material possessions because they’re finite 

and unfulfilling. Emerson’s quote relates to Tillich’s theory because each person’s consciousness is 

what they hold to be sacred.