In whose closet does one find the light?
I recall the tranquility that came with simply getting away from the clamor.
To start, I extend a warm welcome to all the new members joining our community. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support in embracing The Human In You and this newly established platform for my writing. It brings me great joy to engage with you, appreciate your kind comments, encouragement, and readership. I am grateful for the sense of belonging I have found within this community.
Pay attention! A Stranger is arriving from a faraway and sunny land with a message to deliver.
There is wisdom in solitude.
As Carl Sandburg once remarked, it is crucial for us to allocate time for ourselves, for time is the essence of our existence. If we are not mindful, we may let others dictate how we spend it. Thus, there are moments when a person must retreat and embrace loneliness, sitting on a secluded rock in the midst of nature to reflect upon the questions of identity, past experiences, and future direction. Unless one is cautious, various distractions will consume the precious hours of life.
Being in solitude fosters independence as it enables one to accomplish tasks, look after oneself, make decisions, and strive for personal improvement. Instead of relying on others, you learn to take initiative and be self-reliant.
Stepping away from society temporarily is necessary when seeking the truth. Isolation allows for introspection and contemplation, facilitating the discovery of truth.
Solitude grants you the power to make your own choices. When things go wrong, you cannot rationalize your own failures. You are solely responsible for the decisions you make, prompting you to be more accountable for your actions.
Being in solitude provides an opportunity for self-discovery and reflection. It allows you to understand your capabilities and potential if you wholeheartedly dedicate yourself to a task. Additionally, it enables you to recognize the aspects of life that hold significance for you, such as your principles, aspirations, and what ignites your emotions. By experiencing moments of solitude, you become aware of your true nature both in times of success and adversity. Ultimately, it fosters a deeper sense of self-appreciation.
However, it is important to note that while being alone can be enjoyable, it is not meant to be a constant state.
There are moments when being alone can be challenging and difficult—There may be times when you feel physically exhausted, yet there is no one else around to help take care of you. You might find yourself in situations where you are unable to provide yourself with advice or motivation, and seeking support or guidance from others is not possible. You may have victories and losses that you want to share, but there is no one available to share them with. Times when you are too tired to function, but there is no one else who can take on the work.
It feels like you have to handle everything on your own, carrying all the burdens by yourself. It is during these moments that you yearn for a tight hug, to feel acknowledged, and heard, and to know that you matter. However, all you can do is try to fall asleep and hope that these feelings fade away with your dreams. It is in these instances that you feel distant and disconnected from others - when you truly feel alone. While being alone can be difficult, it is often during these times of deepest sorrow that the storms eventually pass, and you find solace.
During a conversation with my friend last night, she expressed her profound exhaustion with life. She shared her frustration about how nothing she was attempting seemed to be working, and she even believed that God was punishing her for mistakes she made during her teenage years.
It is truly heartbreaking when someone reaches a state where they cannot recognize the worth of their own existence. I already lost a friend from “suicidal thoughts,” and when she mentioned the word again, I jumped off where I was, and told her that I'd choke her from her deathbed if she had to do that because she already knew that I already lost a friend and I can't lose her too.
The value of human life remains significant, even in times of physical adversity. It is crucial for us to assist individuals in recognizing that their lives still have purpose and meaning, even in the face of great storms.
Engaging in Dharma practice becomes even more precious during times of adversity. Not only does it provide relief from our mental burden, but it can also help alleviate physical pain. Furthermore, since Dharma practice primarily occurs at the level of the mind, it can still be pursued even when the body is not functioning optimally.
With that said, I felt that it is important for us to understand what solitude means to us. I noted that they are still those who want to be with somebody who can give them some fun or stimulate them somehow. Craving for stimulation. When there is nothing to stimulate them they become bored. Even when they are alone, they read or watch TV, listen to the radio or cassette, or think about things they have done or about the things they will do. Being alone, not reading or watching TV, listening to the radio or cassette, and not thinking are things they never thought of as productive.
You see, whenever I feel like I'm breaking down, I have a tendency to withdraw and isolate myself. No one is capable of handling the intensity of my emotions when I am on the verge of falling apart. While these moments may lead people to assume I am depressed, it is often the opposite. I have developed a habit of disappearing whenever I feel overwhelmed, and no one realizes the extent of my misery during these times. It has become a way to retreat and regain my strength so that when I return, it feels as though nothing happened.
"Wisdom is the fruit of solitude.
Solitude is recharging.
Life flowing out of deep stillness of my heart Undefinable Everything else is incidental." — Sayadaw U Jotika
Can you share with me your most memorable moments from a retreat?
Which location did it take place in?
How would you describe the emotions you experienced during that time?
Were there any significant dreams or aspirations that occurred to you?
Lastly, how did your body feel once the retreat concluded?
Would be nice to hear your story in the comments!
You possess the capability. You are not feeble, sluggish, or fearful.
Dreamers, though you may currently be afraid and perplexed, your innermost self, that voice resonating within your mind, that passion aflame in your heart, recognizes that you will succeed, no matter the obstacles. Persevere; the world is in need of you.
Solitude is ,meant to be temporary in order to be meaningful. To me, at least. Sometimes I just take a walk by myself, soak in the sky. Just allow everything to just be.
What a beautiful and introspective post. Your words capture the essence of both solitude and the challenges it can bring. In moments of stillness, we find our truest selves and, as you eloquently put it, recharge our spirits. Thank you for sharing your profound insights.