The Importance of SOLITUDE
HISTORY
Solitude has long been practiced as a lifestyle, and recognized for its value in human experience. In the 4th century B.C., the Greek philosopher Diogenes renounced society to live in a large storage jar. He attracted followers seeking his wisdom, including Alexander the Great. On the eve of his great march from Macedonia to the Hindu Kush, Alexander visited Diogenes. Some of Alexander's men ridiculed the philosopher, but Alexander silenced them with the simple statement: "If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes."
Throughout history, the monastic tradition always has included solitude: sixth century A.D. Celtic Christian monks lived as hermits on islands of Ireland and Great Britain; European and Middle Eastern monasteries flourished in the Middle Ages. Solitude remains an important aspect of religious communities worldwide.
WHY SOLITUDE?
To bring some solitude into our lives is one of the most necessary but also most difficult disciplines. Even though we may have a deep desire for real solitude, we also experience a certain apprehension as we approach that solitary place and time. As soon as we are alone, without people to talk with, books to read, TV to watch, or phone calls to make, an inner chaos opens up in us.
This chaos can be so disturbing and so confusing that we can hardly wait to get busy again. Entering a private room and shutting the door, therefore, does not mean that we immediately shut out all our inner doubts, anxieties, fears, bad memories, unresolved conflicts, angry feelings, and impulsive desires. On the contrary, when we have removed our outer distractions, we often find that our inner distractions manifest themselves to us in full force.
We often used these outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. It is thus not surprising that we have a difficult time being alone. The confrontation with our inner conflicts
can be too painful for us to endure.
This makes the discipline of solitude all the more important. Solitude is not a spontaneous response to an occupied and preoccupied life. There are too many reasons not to be alone. Therefore we must begin by carefully planning some solitude.
DEFINING PERSONAL SOLITUDE
For many, solitude is a short respite from a busy day, such as a bubble bath or a walk around the block. But anyone can spontaneously connect to his or her own version of solitude at many other times. One person may find solitude by saying a prayer or listening to a favorite piece of music. Another may find solitude making a cake, watching children play, admiring a flower or simply looking up at the clouds in the sky. The simplest solitary activity or experience can induce feelings of well-being, comfort,
contentment, self-awareness and reflection; these are all manifestations of solitude.
FINDING SOLITUDE ANYWHERE
Location and surroundings may have little or nothing to do with one's personal version of solitude, which can be found anywhere, even in crowds. It does not always require silence or isolation. The act of reading this article, looking at the photos and thinking about its contents is a form of solitude.
SOLITUDE IS A STATE OF MIND, NOT A PLACE.
Solitude is not solitary confinement, not a punishment. Being alone, physically or mentally, does not naturally equate to loneliness. For those accustomed to ambient noise and constant activity, the concept of solitude itself may seem foreign and even undesirable. Yet regenerating the self by solitude is as natural and important as sleep, sustenance and human interaction.
BENEFITS
Just as sleep builds memory and repairs the body, solitude can refresh and restore the spirit. According to psychologist Ester Buchholz, research has shown that solitude also helps put more balance in one's life, increases natural creativity and problem-solving abilities, and even improves relationships, including spousal intimacy. Solitude also reinforces independence and self-reliance.
Both Alexander and Diogenes would agree.
Find moments of inner connectedness, anytime, anywhere.
That's solitude.
References:
1. Devotional Classics by Richard Foster
2. Importance of Solitude by P. E. Catanich
Solitude has long been practiced as a lifestyle, and recognized for its value in human experience. In the 4th century B.C., the Greek philosopher Diogenes renounced society to live in a large storage jar. He attracted followers seeking his wisdom, including Alexander the Great. On the eve of his great march from Macedonia to the Hindu Kush, Alexander visited Diogenes. Some of Alexander's men ridiculed the philosopher, but Alexander silenced them with the simple statement: "If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes."
Throughout history, the monastic tradition always has included solitude: sixth century A.D. Celtic Christian monks lived as hermits on islands of Ireland and Great Britain; European and Middle Eastern monasteries flourished in the Middle Ages. Solitude remains an important aspect of religious communities worldwide.
WHY SOLITUDE?
To bring some solitude into our lives is one of the most necessary but also most difficult disciplines. Even though we may have a deep desire for real solitude, we also experience a certain apprehension as we approach that solitary place and time. As soon as we are alone, without people to talk with, books to read, TV to watch, or phone calls to make, an inner chaos opens up in us.
This chaos can be so disturbing and so confusing that we can hardly wait to get busy again. Entering a private room and shutting the door, therefore, does not mean that we immediately shut out all our inner doubts, anxieties, fears, bad memories, unresolved conflicts, angry feelings, and impulsive desires. On the contrary, when we have removed our outer distractions, we often find that our inner distractions manifest themselves to us in full force.
We often used these outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. It is thus not surprising that we have a difficult time being alone. The confrontation with our inner conflicts
can be too painful for us to endure.
This makes the discipline of solitude all the more important. Solitude is not a spontaneous response to an occupied and preoccupied life. There are too many reasons not to be alone. Therefore we must begin by carefully planning some solitude.
DEFINING PERSONAL SOLITUDE
For many, solitude is a short respite from a busy day, such as a bubble bath or a walk around the block. But anyone can spontaneously connect to his or her own version of solitude at many other times. One person may find solitude by saying a prayer or listening to a favorite piece of music. Another may find solitude making a cake, watching children play, admiring a flower or simply looking up at the clouds in the sky. The simplest solitary activity or experience can induce feelings of well-being, comfort,
contentment, self-awareness and reflection; these are all manifestations of solitude.
FINDING SOLITUDE ANYWHERE
Location and surroundings may have little or nothing to do with one's personal version of solitude, which can be found anywhere, even in crowds. It does not always require silence or isolation. The act of reading this article, looking at the photos and thinking about its contents is a form of solitude.
SOLITUDE IS A STATE OF MIND, NOT A PLACE.
Solitude is not solitary confinement, not a punishment. Being alone, physically or mentally, does not naturally equate to loneliness. For those accustomed to ambient noise and constant activity, the concept of solitude itself may seem foreign and even undesirable. Yet regenerating the self by solitude is as natural and important as sleep, sustenance and human interaction.
BENEFITS
Just as sleep builds memory and repairs the body, solitude can refresh and restore the spirit. According to psychologist Ester Buchholz, research has shown that solitude also helps put more balance in one's life, increases natural creativity and problem-solving abilities, and even improves relationships, including spousal intimacy. Solitude also reinforces independence and self-reliance.
Both Alexander and Diogenes would agree.
Find moments of inner connectedness, anytime, anywhere.
That's solitude.
References:
1. Devotional Classics by Richard Foster
2. Importance of Solitude by P. E. Catanich
❝SOLITUDE is not the absence of company, but the moment when our soul is free to speak to us and help us decide what to do with our life...Therefore, blessed are those who do not fear solitude. who are not afraid of their own company, who are not always desperately looking for something to do, something to amuse themselves with, something to judge...If you are never alone, you cannot know yourself.❞
—Paulo Coelho, 'Manuscript Found in Accra'
The Practice of Silence and Solitude
http://www.opusangelorum.org/oa_spirituality/six_traits_docs/Silenceandsolitude.html
❝Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.❞
—Rm 12:2
—Rm 12:2