Solitude allows the contemplation of a deeper reality, which the distractions of everyday busy life do not allow.
Solitude allows there to be personal authenticity, so we can know who we are and not just who we seem to be before others.
Solitude develops self-discipline and self-reliance, which leads to self-empowerment.
And, it is said, solitude alone can give us the peace of mind and reflection to consider how best to act and live.
Others consider Solitude to be a danger.
Alone, a person has no real purpose or focus, but instead only falls deeper into the self which is an empty hole.
Solitude leads to madness, fear of others, paranoia and self-delusion.
In fact, they say, the right way to live can only be discovered with others. Without others, we cannot love, we cannot be faced with uncomfortable truths, and we cannot build on other's strengths.
If we are to be our real selves, we discover that self by connecting in community. Without community, we are only a shadow of our deepest selves.
Some say that our lives and communities should be a balance between solitude and community.
Too much solitude or too much community is dangerous. In solitude, we cannot empathize. In community, we can become numb from overwhelming empathy.
Some gain much from solitude, while others gain nothing from constant relation in community. Different people are different. To say that only one is beneficial is like saying that it is a moral requirement for everyone to be married or for everyone to be single.
There are different purposes for each activity. Community teaches us love. Solitude gives us the opportunity to consider pure truth. In the balance of these two activities is the real truth.
What do you think?
