“We hear voices in solitude, we never hear in the hurry and turmoil of life; we receive counsels and comforts, we get under no other condition.”
Amelia E. Barr
Lately I’ve been thinking about solitude.
Seems to me there are different types of solitude. There’s the doing type and the being type.
Ask yourself this questions: “Do I enjoy doing things alone?” “Do I enjoy my own company?”
Most of the time I am able to do things alone while enjoying my own company. I can go to a movie, eat, take long walks or swims and even play a round of golf by myself.
I think, though, that the practice of solitude that Amelia Barr refers to in her quote is the being type of solitude. It’s a time for getting in touch with your feelings, and this can be a very powerful activity.
Have you ever practiced solitude? Most people haven’t.
Most people never sit down quietly by themselves for any length of time. People are so busy doing things that it’s rare for them to simply sit and do nothing.
Catherine Ponder, the author of many inspirational books, says, “Men and women begin to become great when they begin to take time quietly by themselves, when they begin to practice solitude.”
What would a solitude practice look like?
To get the benefits from your periods of solitude, sit quietly for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. If you haven’t done this before, it will be a challenge. It might even take the first 25 minutes or so for you to stop fidgeting.
You’ll have the urge to get up and do something! You’ll practically have to force yourself to stay in your seat. Be persistent!
Sit quietly and still, back and head erect, eyes open, without any interruptions for at least 30 minutes. An hour is even better.
Become completely relaxed and breathe deeply. Just let your mind drift. Don’t try to think about anything. The harder you “don’t try”, the more powerfully this works.
After 20 or 25 minutes you’ll begin to feel deeply relaxed. You’ll begin to experience energy coming into your mind and body. You’ll have a tremendous sense of well-being. At this point, you’ll be ready to get the full benefit of these moments of contemplation.
When this kind of solitude practice is done correctly, it works about 100 percent of the time. While you’re sitting there, a river of ideas will flow through your mind. You’ll think about countless subjects in an uncontrolled stream of consciousness.
Relax and listen to your inner voice. Often the solutions to the most important challenges facing you will emerge quietly and clearly. The answers will be so clear you’ll wonder why you hadn’t thought of them sooner. Often you’ll experience a deep sense of gratitude and contentment.
Often when you follow the guidance you receive in solitude, it turns out to be exactly the right thing to do. Things work out for the best……just try it and see for yourself.
Getting in touch with your feelings and listening to your inner guidance does require that you learn to trust yourself.
Listen and learn about what’s making you happy or unhappy, and what feels right or wrong. Too many times we compromise on what that inner voice tells us to do.
Develop the habit of listening to yourself and then acting on the guidance you receive by using a solitude practice. It’s a useful type of solitude to cultivate, so I hope you’ll give it a try!
shelli
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