Overcoming Existential Isolation Through Transcendentalism

“No matter how close each of us becomes to another, there remains a final, unbridgeable gap; each of us enters existence alone and must depart from it alone. The existential conflict is thus the tension between our awareness of our absolute isolation and our wish for contact, for protection, our wish to be part of a larger whole.” ~ Existential Psychotherapy, Irvin D. Yalom

Existential Isolation, The Human Experience & Neurodivergence

The experience of existential isolation is common to the human experience, or at least the state of being existentially isolated is an inherent part of life within this finite realm of existence. However, not all individuals experience this psychological phenomenon in the same manner or to the same extent as others. For example, neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, tend to consciously encounter this sense of isolation significantly more frequently than allistic (i.e. non-autistic) individuals. This distinct type of isolation is different from interpersonal and intrapersonal isolation, which were referenced in some of my previous essays, including “Existential Psychotherapy as a Framework for Spiritual Growth & Development” and “Existential Isolation as a Catalyst for Growth.” Essentially, this type of isolation may be experienced similarly to the other two at times, however, it is a fundamentally more profound sense of separation not only from others, but is also the felt sense of being a separate entity within the broader context of existence.

Many autistic individuals experience this more frequently than others and may even experience a sense of this fundamental gap between their own experience and that of other autistic individuals if they have somewhat different backgrounds, life experiences, co-occurring conditions, and/or distinct philosophical approaches to life. Despite the fact that autistic individuals will generally be able to relate to each other more frequently on some level due to a variety of shared traits and distinct communication style patterns, fundamental differences still exist between the subjective experiences of each individual that makes it so that this particular form of isolation may be experienced on a profound level by certain individuals moreso than others. In other words, some individuals will be more profoundly and acutely impacted by the conscious awareness of this psychological phenomenon throughout their lives than others, even autistic individuals who are interacting with others belonging to the autistic/neurodivergent community at times, albeit likely less frequently than within the context of mixed-neurotype interactions. This is not to say that forming a strong sense of connection and cohesion within communities and groups to which we belong is not important, quite the contrary in fact, as strengthening and deepening our connections with others can assist us with building the resilience needed in order to endure the moments of profound loneliness that we may experience as individuals from time to time. That is one reason why connecting in communities of like-minded individuals with similar personality traits, communication style preferences, and/or a shared set of values can assist us with enduring the loneliness we inevitably will experience at certain times throughout our lives.

Despite this, I would like to go beyond the community aspect to yet another more profound manner in which we can feel connected to something greater than ourselves that can assist us with overcoming existential isolation whenever we encounter it. There are times when our experiences and the significance of our lives will feel like they are eclipsed by that of another with whose life ours intersects due to each of our unique needs, capacities, life experiences, and philosophical approaches to life in general. However, if we are able to connect on a more profound level with certain transcendent aspects of our existence, this can be an incredibly powerful way to assist us with overcoming feelings of existential isolation and find a deep sense of fulfillment in our lives despite the challenges that inevitably come from our mortal condition and our existence within a finite realm.

Approaching Transcendentalism

Although existentialist philosophy and existential psychotherapeutic approaches attempt to address the fundamental concerns of existence, including existential isolation, through a process of self-discovery, improving the quality of our relationships through authentic self-expression, and focusing on meaning as a source of joy and fulfillment in our lives, transcendentalism can assist us with experiencing more concrete ways to connect with a profound sense of meaning, especially during times when we may be moving through a season of grief or intense challenge and need other ways to assist us with accessing higher states of consciousness that feel more tangible and grounding. In other words, existentialist philosophy and existential psychotherapeutic techniques are helpful for accomplishing this, however, some individuals may perceive this approach as excessively abstract, elusive, and/or philosophical, whereas transcendentalism primarily focuses on our connection to nature as a way to assist us with accessing higher states of consciousness and feeling a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment in our lives. Therefore, it is a philosophical approach to living that is perhaps perceived as being more deeply connected to our world and life itself in a more embodied sense of the word in certain ways.

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau both contributed significantly to this philosophical movement, which occurred around the latter part of the Industrial Revolution. This philosophical approach to life emerged as an intense counter-cultural movement in the face of increased urbanization, emphasis on materialism, and the dehumanizing conditions that an increasing number of individuals within society were subject to at the time. Life at the time of this philosophical movement was experienced by many as increasingly fast-paced, stressful, and even chaotic, particularly in urban areas where individuals were expected to work long hours in factories and living and working conditions were often exceedingly poor due to high demands from corporations, overcrowding, and poor sanitation, among other factors. As mentioned in my previous essay entitled, “Embodying Christian Ideals Through Transcendentalism,” Emerson viewed nature as a powerfully healing, restorative environment and aspect of our existence that must be embraced in order to counter a number of societal pressures as well as improve the overall quality of our lives. Attuning on a spiritual level with nature can assist us with transcending the aspects of our existence that appear to be confining, limiting, disempowering or otherwise uninspiring, as it can assist us not only by providing a retreat from societal pressures and the more mundane aspects of life, but also help us to connect with the divinity of creation itself in its purest form. Simple practices of spending time in nature and taking intentional time to deeply attune to the beauty of God’s creations through the senses, even if simply to take particular note of the delicate intricacies of a beautiful flower, the vibrant colors of a butterfly’s wings, or the soothing elegance of a gentle waterfall can be incredibly awe-inspiring. Transcendentalist philosophy assists us with focusing on the inherent divinity of nature as a way to assist us with accessing higher states of consciousness.

Whereas existentialist philosophy tends to focus more on the subjective experience of the individual and delves into more abstract forms of interpretation and meaning making in order to access higher states of consciousness, transcendentalist philosophy attempts to accomplish many of the same ends by more practical or concrete means, such as communing with nature as a way to access the divine. Emerson tends to paint a somewhat more mystical picture of nature, whereas Thoreau paints a certain degree of noble simplicity in his account entitled Walden, where he lived adjacent to a pond by that name in Concord, Massachusetts for a period of approximately two years. Both gentlemen lived in close proximity to one another for a period of time, and Emerson served as a mentor to Thoreau, but their writings reflect slightly different perspectives on nature and life in general. Although Thoreau received a formal education at the prestigious Harvard University, he appears to have taken more of a generalist’s approach to learning, as he dabbled in philosophy, various languages both classical and modern, among other subjects within the College of Liberal Arts. Regarding Thoreau’s stylistic technique, his use of Latin phrases intertwined within quaint descriptions of the countryside near Concord bring a slightly elevated tone of formality to his otherwise more ordinary descriptions of what he viewed as the beauty of the simplicity of rural living.

Existential Isolation & Transcendentalism

When reflecting upon the potentially complex psychological, social, and emotional impact upon an individual who is routinely more acutely and consciously aware of being in a state of existential isolation, we must consider how to approach this topic with the proper care that it deserves in order to assist the individual with feeling more attuned to their own experience, better connected with like-minded individuals to the extent possible, and more profoundly connected to the essence of life that transcends any relationship or mortal limitation tied to the finite state of our existence while living in this realm. We may intuitively be aware that the anecdote to any form of isolation is some form of connection, but the type of connection and the extent to which each type of connection is helpful in any given moment is essential to understand in order for optimal functioning within society and healing to take place. This will vary significantly by individual and circumstance, so it is important to be aware of these differences as well as the unique needs of each individual and how those needs may change over time throughout the healing process.

Of course, assisting a person with becoming more self-aware and connected with themselves on a deeper level can be an important first step to overcoming feelings of existential isolation. A strong sense of personal identity and self-understanding should ideally serve as a foundation for connection within that individual’s life, and any theological or philosophical beliefs about life and the meaning of one’s life can serve as an essential cornerstone for increasing an individual’s sense of identity, agency, and resilience in their lives. Next, providing an individual with opportunities to connect with others who share important similarities, such as personality traits, communication style preferences, and shared values or philosophical approaches to life is essential in order for further growth to occur. This must be balanced with making intentional efforts to maintain a strong sense of self in order to stay grounded in what is most important to them, as well as staying connected to their unique strengths and challenges. If the individual has felt ostracized or excluded in the past, this will be particularly important so they are still able to maintain a sense of resilience despite circumstances that may make this difficult at times. Also, focusing on establishing connections with individuals who understand them better and who are more capable of providing any necessary support throughout the reintegration process is essential. This will ensure that they are able to maintain, or perhaps regain, a sense of dignity and self-respect while interacting with others, especially with those who may not understand their perspective on life or their distinct manner of engaging within the world.

The aforementioned steps of improving an individual’s relationship with oneself, connecting with like-minded individuals, and reintegrating into society when ready pertain more to both intrapersonal and interpersonal forms of connection, which can assist an individual with reaching higher states of consciousness. However, there is something beyond this level of connection that must be acknowledged, which the transcendentalist philosophical approach can assist individuals with accessing, even if they do not have the natural inclination or tendency to get preoccupied thinking in a more predominantly theoretical manner, or in abstractions that may be a bit more challenging for some individuals to access as readily. The beautiful thing about transcendentalist philosophy is that it is a profoundly reflective way of seeing the world, however, it is also grounding and provides somewhat more concrete or tangible approaches for accessing higher states of consciousness, so it is a philosophical approach that will likely be accessible to more individuals who are wanting or needing support with feeling more connected to the existential, ethereal, or cosmic aspects of our existence that ennoble and enliven our spirits. Furthermore, this philosophical approach can be an effective way into finding more joy and fulfillment in life for individuals who may intuitively tend towards thought patterns of deep reflection but who have been struggling with a profound sense of depression, which is common amongst individuals who experience a more acute sense of existential isolation on a regular basis. In other words, this philosophical approach can assist many individuals with approaching higher states of consciousness and awareness within the broader context of their existence in an effort to enhance their capacity for meaning making and accessing joy and fulfillment in their lives.

Within transcendentalist philosophy, we encounter an intriguing paradox, similar to that which is often found within our exploration of the existential dialectics in existentialist philosophy. As Thoreau stated, “I have come forth to this hill at sunset to see the forms of the mountains in the horizon—to behold and commune with something grander than man. Their mere distance and unprofanedness is an infinite encouragement. It is with infinite yearning and aspiration that I seek solitude, more and more resolved and strong.” In other words, this profound connection with nature for him was often found in the moments of quiet reflection and solitude that he was able to find. Connecting with the natural beauty therein permitted him to access higher states of consciousness and stay connected to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment within his life. Perhaps the state of experiencing a sense of existential isolation is a necessary part of transcending the mortal limitations of our existence due to the manner in which this profound degree of solitude is an essential step in order for our divine nature to be more fully and completely revealed. In other words, without that profound feeling of distinctness from others, we would perhaps not have sufficient opportunity to develop the capacity to comprehend nor awaken within us some of the more glorious and infinite aspects of reality to the same extent that we are able to when we experience the psychological phenomenon of existential isolation. Everyone has a distinct journey in life, but we all have the potential to access higher states of consciousness in an effort to find a greater degree of healing, joy, and fulfillment in our lives if that is what we are needing or hoping to find.

“It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination.” ~ Henry David Thoreau