Feeling lonely is not merely the physical absence of other people. I remember that the time I felt most lonely in my life I was surrounded by people. I then called my good friend at the time, who was on another continent, and gradually felt better. That was years ago. I haven’t felt lonely in a long time, but I’ve been alone plenty
I think we crave connection when we are lonely
Or maybe it’s more accurate to say that we crave a lack of separation. And this separation isn’t merely physical, it’s intangible
When this separation isn’t present how do we feel? What is the opposite of loneliness?
Without the separation we feel whole
But spirituality teachers say that separation is an illusion. We are all One. So if separation is an illusion is loneliness an illusion as well? It is certainly a convincing one
We could look at loneliness as a belief in separation, and that belief in separation as blinds that we ourselves pull closed over our windows. That’s also encouraging because it means we don’t need to do anything dramatic to stop being lonely. We mainly need to open the blinds, even just a crack, to let in the Light
Our society emphasizes having many friends, gatherings, parties. But what if that’s not your thing?
Do those who enjoy solitude ever feel lonely?
The times when I feel whole and complete within myself I don’t feel lonely
Aren’t we actually alone? Even if you have dozens of good friends, even if you live with family, they aren’t with you every moment. Throughout the day you go from being alone to with people to alone to with someone else. Is not being physically alone a temporary, transitory state?
When you feel like you’re a part of something it doesn’t matter if the other individuals are physically there with you. You still have a feeling of unity and strength
