Idea Lab • "Walking" by Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau's essay "Walking" is about the importance of nature to humanity. People cannot survive without nature — physically, mentally, and spiritually — yet we seem to be spending more and more time entrenched by society. Walking is a self-reflective spiritual act that occurs only when we are away from society, allowing us to learn about who we are and find aspects of ourselves that have been chipped away by society. "Walking" laid the foundation for Thoreau's best known work, *Walden*.

You are encouraged to read the essay but, even if you haven't, you're welcome to join in the discussion.