Solitude: The Bearable Lightness of Being

[Guest guest]

>

> Dear devotees of the Divine Feminine,

>

> Let there be Silence for a week to deeply absorb, contemplate and

> celebrate the Truth that the Great Mother has bestowed upon us. i

> need this Silence to fathom in humility the ever-increasing depth

> of Her Ocean of Consciousness.

>

> Entrenched in all the Holy Scriptures, the Aykaa Mayee is flawless

> and all-encompassing in Her revelations. One by one the pieces of

> the puzzle are ever so slowly falling into place - we need to

> meditate and realize this fact!

>

> regards to all,

>

> jagbir

>

 

Solitude: The Bearable Lightness of Being

 

In our modern world, we often define ourselves in terms of our

relationships with others but forget the relationship that we share

with our inner selves. Solitude is the best way to get to know

ourselves.

 

Does being alone sometime give you a very deep and rare sense of

contentment? If yes, then consider yourself fortunate enough to enjoy

such state of bliss called Solitude. There is an important

distinction to be established right off the bat. There is a world of

difference between solitude and loneliness, though the two terms are

often used interchangeably. From the outside, solitude and loneliness

look a lot alike. Both are characterized by solitariness. But all

resemblance ends here.

 

Very often, we mistake solitude with loneliness. Its only when we

experience solitude in the true sense that we discover the

difference. Loneliness is marked by a sense of isolation. Solitude,

on the other hand, is a state of being alone without being lonely and

can lead to self-awareness.

 

As the world spins faster and faster or maybe it just seems that way

when an email can travel around the world in fractions of a second,

we mortals need a variety of ways to cope with the resulting

pressures. We need to maintain some balance and some sense that we

are steering the ship of our life rather than being driven by it.

Otherwise we feel overloaded and overreact to minor annoyances and

feel like we can never catch up - the best way to catch up with life

is by seeking and enjoying solitude.

 

Loneliness is negative but Solitude is positive

 

Loneliness is a negative state, marked by a sense of isolation. One

feels that something is missing. It is possible to be with people and

still feel lonely; perhaps it is the bitterest form of loneliness.

 

On the contrary, solitude is the state of being alone without being

lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of engagement with

oneself. Solitude is desirable, a state of being alone where you

provide yourself wonderful and sufficient company.

 

Solitude aids Inner Search

 

Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection, inner searching,

growth or enjoyment of some kind. Deep reading, thinking and

creativity require solitude and so does experiencing the beauty of

nature.

 

Solitude suggests peacefulness stemming from a state of inner

richness. It is a means of enjoying the silence, and whatever it

brings is satisfying from which we draw sheer sustenance. It is

something we cultivate. It is refreshing; an opportunity to renew

ourselves. In other words, it replenishes us!

 

But if we talk about loneliness, it is akin to harsh punishment, a

state of deficiency, a state of discontent marked by a sense of

estrangement, an awareness of excess aloneness. Solitude is something

you choose. Loneliness is imposed on you by others.

 

Everybody needs Solitude

 

We all need periods of solitude, although temperamentally we probably

differ in the amount of solitude we need. But some solitude is

essential; it gives us time to explore and know ourselves. It is the

necessary counterpoint to intimacy, what allows us to have a self

worthy of sharing.

 

Solitude gives us a chance to regain perspective. It renews us for

the challenges of life. It allows us to get back into the position of

driving our own lives, rather than having them run by schedules and

demands. Solitude can bring enjoyment and excitement to your life.

Solitude does not have to be living your whole life alone. But,

solitude is always there when you need it. It helps you escape from

the troubles or even boring times in your life.

 

If you think that solitude is not even worth trying, you should

reconsider. Solitude can help you live a very happy, exciting,

somewhat trouble-free life-if you take advantage of it.

 

Solitude is blossoming of the Divine Flower

 

Solitude restores body and mind whereas loneliness depletes them.

Solitude is a great tool to work on self to know the working of the

mind, to reconnect with one's being. Masters of all religions have

always laid great stress on being alone so that your degree of

awareness grows. It is cutting our self away from the maddening

paraphernalia of the world and moving inwards inch by inch closer to

our divinity.

 

The beauty of solitude is further enhanced when the divine love

blossoms in our heart. Initially it can be very taxing as seeing the

reality of our wicked mind frustrates us more. The maddening thought

processes of the mind, ghosts of the past begin to torture more and

more.

 

But if one stays with tolerance and doesn't run away from solitude,

then the real essence of being in solitude opens up.

 

Posted in Spirituality, March-April 2007, Mind | March 1st, 2007