Lonely is not a synonym for alone. The word lonely connotes isolation and dejection, a missed absence of companions when it is applied to persons. The root of alone, however, is in two words: all one. This means the opposite of isolation & dejection. The emphasis is not on the one but on the wholly one. It means complete by oneself. How many of us can actually feel that way?
It is not easy to be full in oneself, to respect oneself, & to self-develop to such a degree that a person looks forward to long periods of being alone. For some who enjoy this oneness, they realize that because of their relationship with [God] they are never lonely. They cultivate the chances to be alone so that they can actually savor the moments with God alone, the moments when their unity with the Creator can be both enjoyed and developed. This implies a very special human being.
Too often, we are frantic for companionship – television,movies, people, etc. Immersion in such activities will free us from having to face the basic issues of existence. Such trivial busyness will keep us from intimate contact with ourselves. The kingdom of Heaven is within each of us, yet how seriously do we try to make contact with it?
Not only is there no need to go “out there” in most instances, but rather it is spiritually harmful to look outside of ourselves while ignoring what is by nature within us. One hour in conscious solitude does more to your creativity than many hours of learning how to become creative…In the poverty of solitude, lies all the riches.
[By Harry James Cargas]
