SOLITUDE

Solitude is the profoundest fact of the human condition. When you are tired physically and mentally solitude is the best healing zone.

Loneliness is the poverty of self; Solitude is the richness of self. – May Sarton

Sometimes seclusion is better than the company of other people. It is only in solitude and after so much of strain of thought; one will feel a sense of overwhelming relief.

One who cannot understand others reticence(silence), will not understand even their words.

As far as external situations are concerned, we have no control but we can control what is within ourselves.

You have too often allowed yourself to pay for somebody else’s mistakes and to be undervalued.

After so much of tolerance, personally unable to handle unexpected situations, the nature would be rebellious, unwilling to submit to the least restraint and when provoked, knowing exactly where to hurt. This characteristic arises from the ability to sense the weak spots in others.

Only those who know how long you have had to wait for the good things in life will understand just how let down you can feel.

You’re just fed up with someone who has backed down or let you down too often in the past. Constantly, being let down is boring. For truth is often not what it appears to be. Positive outlook prevents reactive responses, even when you have been put down. Only for sometime it is painful, after that it becomes worthless.

You really have to take a cool look at your own circumstances and decide what is best and when to back out. You don't need strength to let go of something. What you really need is understanding.

You may have had to endure some sort of a break, or distancing yourself from people and places which have become burdensome. You must hold yourself back, if you want to achieve anything of lasting value.

Build up the necessary experience, and sufficient stability for yourself, to pursue your own vision of the future.

Stability is the key to contentment. Contentment is within reach for a person who is compassionate and loving.

The essence of optimism is in reality; to assess the realities of life always be on the progressive side of things. Make sure your feet don’t leave the ground, so that you are better prepared to handle adversities.

Life goes on in spite of someone else’s mildly obstructive behaviour and hardships we face. Time spends itself, we do not have to worry about it.

Solitude doesn’t imply escaping and shunning the duties of everyday life. Solitude never hurts anyone. Seldom become angry with individuals. You can control anger or hide dislike to a certain level. But you cannot hide love and affection towards others.

Solitude and silence teach us to love others for what they are, not for what they say or do.

Let other people shine, by the way, so stand back and give credit where it’s due. You would not allow the success of others to define your failure.

“Living not only for mankind but in mankind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Some of them accept their fate by pretending to believe that solitude is a sign of spiritual attainment.

When a man sees only frustration in secluded life; he thinks, “why am I here”? Everyone is interested in himself/herself and his own welfare. With such thoughts he would not be happy or gain any subsequent happiness even in seclusion. No purpose is served in seeking solitude, without the control of the mind.

Spiritual path is attainable while fulfilling one’s responsibilities towards family, work and society. Inner spiritual peace brings expansion; and humanity is the equity of the heart. – Bhagavad Gita

Everyone grows up to become achievers at some level, but most at the cost of losing their happiness and peace of mind.

Man is the only being who knows he is alone. – Octaviopaz

There are times when you feel the need to withdraw from people and be alone for a while, which causes some people to think that you are a loner. But, while you are alone, you enjoy prayer and meditation as a small practice.

Meditation has to be practised alone. And meditation happens only when the mind settles down. Meditation awakens your awareness. When you are in a state of awareness, happiness dawns.

When you are more or less used to being alone, and you get good at being alone when you’ve had enough practice. By deep meditation you get out of the darkness of ignorance and illusion.

Solitude is a sign of spiritual attainment. Solitude makes you mentally strong.

In order to concentrate the mind, one should always remain in seclusion and avoid disturbance by external things. Seclusion is suitable place and good for spiritual interests. Elevate your aspirations, questioning for spiritual truth.

Let one practice concentration; or let one indulge in sense-enjoyment. Let one find pleasure in company; or in solitude. He alone is happy, happy, verily happy, whose mind revels in Brahman(Vedas, Vishnu, meditation, Self). - Bhaja Govindam

The essence of almost every spiritual discourse relays one primary message: ‘reconnect with the child within you’.

A child does not have much expectation. She is happy because she is pleased with whatever she gets. One could always be like a child - in a state of happiness by being satisfied and contented. Though difficult to achieve, it is not impossible.

Learning is a state of consciousness that enables one to learn from all situations if only one retains the innocence of a child. The challenge is to remain like a child and achieve like an adult. Relax your body and mind.

When thoughts emerge, see them as a wonder, surprise. See the beauty of your thoughts. The child has that wonder in the purest form. But as we grow old, we lose that wonder. Anyone who has lost this wonder, this innocence, this purity will not experience. That child is alive with us, some of us need to dust a little, some of us need to dig to find those sparkling eyes filled with wonder.

There are so many miracles in the world for eyes to behold; close to your heart see a world of many different objects. Miracles have a way of happening to those who believe in them. As for miracles taking place, it has been said that faith can move mountains. Wonderful things can happen when we are in tune with the source within us. Unique things come up in solitude.

One must experience life in a pleasant way. Unless you are completely involved in a situation, it will not yield to you. – Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Do your own thing by yourself. Self help goes good everywhere. Something is better than nothing. Try to help yourself, rather than waiting for favourable conditions to turn up. Whatever you do, try to do it the best of your ability; with each successive choice you make. Feel it and do it, what you are doing. Leave everything to God.

A needle that pierces may carry a thread that binds.- James Hastings

Unless the hand is steady, one cannot pass the thread through the eye of the needle. Solitude brings about greater clarity of thinking. Clarity is acquired not by knowledge but by knowing. Just be true to yourself(clarity of mind), and everything falls into place. Your career. your relationships. Your life.

Life is never boring, while read, study, observe, learn, sing, draw, dance-play, teach and travel. It may be exhausting, but in no way could it be boring.

The artist shows a world of mountains, trees, birds and large empty spaces. Every tree, every mountain, is the echo of a mood. The relative emptiness of the painting is not only the back ground but also an integral part of the picture. The secret lies is knowing how to balance form with emptiness.

Growing with learning is maturing. So, maturing gracefully has to be a conscious effort. In the age of maturity, use anything that works for you in solitude. Meditation, stillness, music, chanting, etc.

The house-holders can create Solitude(a place of serenity) in their own homes by keeping a small enclosure for purposes of worship and meditation for Self-advancement. God, the Absolute, should be worshipped with faith and devotion.

Meditation should be performed in a calm and pure place. Devotion is profound meditation on one's own true nature.

Meditation is possible only when the mind is in a state of balance and harmony. Through purity, mental harmony is acquired, through harmony the power of meditation is acquired, and through meditation peace and through peace, happiness. Peace and happiness go together. - Gita Makarandam

"Our words are useless unless they come from the bottom of the heart. Prayer to be fruitful must come from the heart and must be able to touch the heart of God." - Mother Teresa

Prayer born of the silence of the heart; God speaks only in the silence of our hearts.

Silence is stillness of the mind. Spirit lives in a peaceful stillness. Stillness is the effect of shutting out the external world by perfect self-control.

Self-control is the most important discipline in spiritual life. Self-control actually means the power by which man orders the body and mind in function according to the highest spiritual laws.

Music is a great entertainer, and bliss in solitude. Listen to music now and then, to restore harmony to the soul. Your listening would be with your heart. You will hear music. An indefinable gentleness and purity of spirit shines softly through those clear, steady, beautifully placid eyes.

Devotion is of the nature of love. Devotion is something which is vital for everyone. Chanting the names of Lord with devotion, that itself is a great deed. It will yield great punya(virtue, good deeds).

Loneliness can be conquered only by those who can see bliss in solitude.

Way to Peace and Solitude