Lonliness and Connection in Spiritual Life

[liminal_luke]

I´m interested in lonliness, connection, and intimacy.  Here´s a Substack post I came across that puts these subjects into the context of spiritual awakening in a way that might be useful for some Bums. The Loneliness of Awakening: From Isolation to Divine Intimacy

[Lairg]

Loneliness is common in early stages of spiritual unfoldment - but this passes as the human learns to love itself

 

Isolation seems to me a different matter.  Thus as the human establishes independence of thoughts and feelings there is a sense of separateness.

 

The separateness continues until the junior initiate moves from being willing to be at one with all  - to intending to be at one

 

Intending to be at one with all is a precondition for first stage enlightenment.

 

Often there is much past difficulty  to be released before that decision is possible

 

 

 

 

Edited Sunday at 12:34 AM by Lairg

[Cobie]

 

13 hours ago, liminal_luke said:

...  lonliness, connection, and intimacy ... the context of spiritual awakening .. The Loneliness of Awakening: From Isolation to Divine Intimacy

 

(Haven't read the linlk) it is my experience that to be a mystic means to be on my own with my God (and to be demonised by the 'religious'). 

 

Edited Sunday at 01:11 PM by Cobie

[forestofclarity]

It is sort of a weird thing. I think for me, spirituality may be a thing that tends to lead to loneliness, and also overcomes it. But this may be specific to my path and my body-mind. 

 

It seems there are fewer people interested in spiritual practice, at least the kind here you practice and "see it for yourself." In my experience, practice tends to be alienating since you stop caring as much about things people are into (i.e. the world), and you care more about things people aren't into (spiritual practice). Also, you begin to operate differently than other people. It can be harder to relate, especially as the years pass by. 

 

But there is also a sense of opening and compassion that arises. I'm not sure if this is specific to certain paths. In this sense, there is more of a connection. When you talk to someone, you're not just holding your breath until you can make a point. You can let them be who they are. You may also feel more connected with other things, like the earth, the sky, animals, the lineage, etc. The whole world is alive in a way it wasn't before. 

 

For a long time, I kept looking for a live, in person sangha. One of my teachers told me there aren't any for my school the way there are for others, and that it is better to learn to practice intensively on one's own. It is harder, but it does tend to make it stronger and less dependent on externals. 

 

[Apech]

Plotinus said:

 

“This is the life of gods and of godlike and blessed men: release from all earthly bonds, a life that takes no delight in earthly things, the flight of the alone to the Alone.”