Solitude

 It has been said that, “Solitude is born out of the womb of society.”  That is, one must first learn to live with others, in love, service, acceptance and compassion.  The world of others smooths out our rough edges, educates us to opinions other than our own narrow self.  We learn to be part of before we feel led to be apart.  If one jumps too quickly into what they call “solitude” it may be mere isolation, protection from past hurts, trauma, or the inability to get out of self-centeredness.  Simply living alone does not put one on a spiritual path to growth.  True solitude is a running toward, rather than a running away.  A true solitary has a sense of where they are going, but yet do not know how to get there.  For that, they rely on a power not their own.