The Power of One - Solitude

Would you like to be alone with the most important person in your life? Alone, undisturbed, being able to enjoy the moment in a perfect peace? Embrace solitude! It is funny how we yearn for a tete a' tete with celebrities and others but not with ourselves. In fact some avoid being with themselves. Do we really value ourselves? Let me get you thinking for a bit.

Solitude does not encompass feelings of loneliness, depression, or being abandoned. Solitude is a choice, a choice to be with yourself. In a world of constant noise, direct and indirect it is hard to focus on ourselves, Solitude helps us come closer to ourselves. It is our ticket to knowing ourselves, to understand and embracing ourselves.

Fear of solitude
Strangely people are afraid of solitude because it means being alone with themselves. The ones who seemingly love themselves, adore themselves and look in the mirror a few hundred times a day seem to be are the ones that are most afraid of their naked selves. Strange isn't it? Why would be afraid of yourself? You are not a monster, right?

Some people have abnormal fear, anxiety and discomfort of being alone even in the comfort of their homes, that it disturbs their social and emotional functioning. This extreme fear is called 'autophobia', a psychiatric condition which needs intervention. We are not talking about such conditions here.

Fears of solitude could arise from past negative experiences such as being abandoned in the past or being forced to survive alone or even being harmed by others. However, solitude is like all things healthy in good measure.

Solitude and creativity
Solitude to me is the birthplace of creativity. When the whole world goes to sleep and there is no noise of humanity to around me, nature with her gentle music sends me her muse, to excite, exhilarate and galvanize my mind. If for some reason I cannot have this solitude I seek her in the woods or in nature to get the inspiration I need.

Great question and thoughts are born from times like these and I am able to see myself for who I am. I cannot lie to myself at such times as it is possible for me to fake myself in social settings. The questioning of my intentions and purposes have often helped me look deeper into myself and understand what I do and why I do the things I do.

Changes from within
Amazing changes have happened over the years from those moments of solitude. These changes have shaped me into what I am today.

Transformation and growth
Solitude has helped create a new me. I was once a terrible complaining, negative person who though life had conspired against me. Today I see things differently and I credit it to the solitude and soul seeking I have embraced over the years.

Peeling off the layers
Solitude has helped peel of layers of negativity in me. Selfishness was one such thing that I have done way with and today I constantly seek to do something to make the world (my little world) a better place. It has helped me open my hands and hearts to those abandoned and forgotten by men

A deeper appreciation of nature
Solitude has brought me close to nature, given me a keen sense of admiration and appreciation for nature. It has increased my sensitivity to all things around me. Given me a wider understanding of nature and how to nurture it.

I embrace solitude with all my heart and never for a moment do I feel alone. My cup overflows with thoughts, ideas, inspiration and joy. I feel the trees, the sky the stars and the universe enfold in their arms making me feel so loved and wanted.

Closeness with God
In solitude I experience the presence of God. My greatest spiritual experiences have come from my time alone with God. As I read His word and meditate on his promises I find joy and purpose for my life. A deeper peace that surpasses all understanding fills my heart and takes me through the toughest moments of my life in the smoothest way possible.

Solitude has helped me make a friend of me. I was once my worst enemy, now I have learned that even the dead things in nature are dead no more, they are the source of life in the very circle of life. So there is nothing dead or useless in me. I am a part of the greatness of this universe. In solitude have I learned self-love. In solitude have I known self-acceptance and in the same time of being with myself have I come to value my being. Solitude has been my validator for life.

The power of solitude
The power of solitude is lost when you think of yourself as lonely. Then its time to go back to company. Life and death, night and day, company and solitude are all two sides of the coin called life. We need solitude as much as we need company.
The sadhus and the sages of yore have lost themselves in solitude to find God and find peace. The monks of yesteryear loved their solitude so much that they made their home atop mountains so no man disturbs them.

The unification of man
Man is a spirit being, he has a body and a mind but he is essentially a spirit being. When the spirit leaves, the body lies dead and the mind is lost to eternity. Solitude is what brings the mind, body and soul together. It helps understand the things that are not seen and heard by the senses but still exists.

The Power of One
Eureka moments are born in solitude. Epiphanies of the mind are brought closer in the journey of the mind when it wanders in solitude.

The wonder and awe of all things beautiful that man has become desensitized to come to the fore and man becomes so one with nature singing and speaking in the voice of the universe.

Solitude is the journey not the destination. It is the period of transition from the mortal to the immortal spirit, a glimpse into what we really are. It is the journey from the physical to the metaphysical, from visible reality to to the truthful spiritual reality of our very being.

With solitude we grow, change transform, metamorphize into being who we are meant to be. To be afraid of solitude is to be afraid of life.