The Beatles Through a Transcendentalist Lens

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By Nayt Perrin and Ian McDonald

Introduction

• Transcendentalism is not dead!
• It is not something new, nor is is something that will go away any time soon.
• There are many examples in modern day.

So What?

• The Beatles were one of the most popular bands of all time

• The Beatles interest in Transcendental Meditation caused the idea to "flourish in the years that followed"(Maharish)

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• Their transcendentalist beliefs produced a multitude of songs.

The Beatles and Transcendentalism

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• Many of John Lennon's writings reflect transcendentalist beliefs.

• The Beatles, especially John Lennon took an interest in Transcendental Meditation.

What to Look For

• Transcendentalist concepts in Lennon songs
•  Transcendentalist beliefs in the lives of The Beatles
• The Beatles practice of Transcendentalist Meditation

Imagine

You may say I'm a dreamer,

�But I'm not the only one,� 

I hope someday you'll join us,

�And the world will live as one.

     -John Lennon Imagine

• Transcendentalists were often considered outlandish.

• There are many and they spread just like any belief

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• Relates to the Over Soul and interconnectedness.

Helter Skelter

When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide,� 

Where I stop and I turn and then I go for a ride,� 

'Til I get to the bottom and I see you again. 

                      -John Lennon  

                                    Helter Skelter

This represents the 

 Transcendentalist belief that life and death have a  relationship and are balancing one another and are to be celebrated   

I am the Walrus

"I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together."

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""Sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun."

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• This shows that all organisms (especially humans) are all connected to a single being.
• Thoreau once said "Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant"(Thoreau)
• This shows their connection and appreciation for nature.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

• The Beatles first met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967

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• In 1968 the went to India to practice Transcendental Meditation

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• John Lennon was the most interested

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• McCartney once said that john was "searching for the Holy Grail" of transcendentalism and that "he just might find it" (Beatles)

• John Lennon Wrote Sexy Sadie while in the car traveling home.

Maharishi Continued

• Later there were rumors of that Maharishi had made a pass at the women in the camp.

• Though it was later discredited, it was enough for The Beatles to take their leave

• This just goes to show that "People only see what they are prepared to see" (Emerson)

Now To Wrap Things Up!

• The Beatles were a very individual group

•  They practiced Transcendenal Meditation that influenced many of their songs.

• Lennon Believed that "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans" (Lennon)

• Whitman once said "I exist as I am, that is enough." (Whitman) and he could not have been more right.

Thanks For Listening!

Work Cited

The Beatles. "Imagine" Imagine. Lennon, 1971. Vinyl.��The Beatles Anthology. San Francisco: Chronicle, 2000. Print.��The Beatles. "Helter Skelter" The White Album. McCartney, 1968. Vinyl. ��The Beatles. "I Am the Walrus" Magical Mystery Tour. Lennon, 1967. Vinyl. ��Emerson, Ralph Waldo, and Brooks Atkinson. The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson.     New York: Modern Library, 2000. Print.��Lennon, Johm. Beautiful Boy. The Beatles. Rec. 11 Apr. 1981. Yoko Ono, 1981. Vinyl recording.��"Maharishi Mahesh Yogi | The Beatles Bible." The Beatles Bible: Songs, Albums, History, Profiles, Places, Photos and More. Web. 05 Nov. 2011.�<http://www.beatlesbible.com/people/maharishi-mahesh-yogi/>.��Thoreau, Henry David, and John Porcellino. "Economy Part 1." Thoreau at Walden. New York: Hyperion, 2008. Print.��Whitman, Walt, and David S. Reynolds. Leaves of Grass. New York: Oxford UP, 2005. Print.