Quietude

There is such a thing as “barren quietude.”  You may have used something to quiet or put off the pain that is within you.  I speak of emotional or spiritual pain.  But you used too much of your solution, if it was a solution at all.  This is addiction.  It can quiet you down, give you a sense of comfort, but you know deeply within that it is a barren quietude.  Your inner misery is drowned out.  This quieting is empty, barren, but quiet.  Such people freak out if you tell them a step into a new and healthier direction includes meditation.  Such people often don’t want to be just with themself.  I try to remind such people that there are a few steps before that in order to help them like themselves enough to be able to be alone without their addictive crutch.  First things first.