What Is Spiritual Loneliness

If you've ever felt this way, you're not alone – the spiritual loneliness that comes with awakening affects many people from various religious communities on a global scale, and it's happening at an accelerated rate.

Indeed, feeling disoriented following a spiritual awakening is a common occurrence that has worrisome consequences all around the world.

Suicide is one of the major causes of mortality in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

More than half of those who died by suicide did not have a known diagnosed mental health issue at the time of death, despite suicide rates rising in nearly every state from 1999 to 2016.

This suicide crisis, according to behavioral scientist Dr. Clay Routledge, is in part owing to a global crisis of meaninglessness, as corroborated by philosophy professors Owen Flanagan and Gregg Caruso.

They allude to the notion that, in favor of science, we are losing our primary source of meaning, which has for millennia been founded on tradition, family, and the divine.

Furthermore, neuroscience is casting doubt on the existence of a soul or “immaterial spirit,” a belief that our brains appear to be hard-wired to believe in, causing profound psychological distress in the process.

It was through her that I realized I wasn't facing an existential crisis, and that I couldn't find solace in my religious beliefs.

And, like so many others who have experienced the agonizing loneliness of spiritual awakening, I had no choice but to face it alone.

How do you deal with loneliness spiritually?

At 5:41 a.m. on Sunday, I drove home from a friend's house. My name is “I'm just going to have one drink!” night morphed into a wild night, which I justified as essential coping after the most horrific dating experience I've ever had in this city. My normal jams of Jivamukti and Acoustic Covers weren't going to cut it, so I granted myself permission to assist my friend empty out the dregs of his liquor cabinet (liquor shelf*), and we danced our way through 80s, 90s, and early 2000s playlists, respectively. I congratulated myself on my sensible decision and began the twenty-minute stumble from The West Village to Flatiron when a flash of lucidity told me that I'd prefer to wake up in my own bed.

I didn't realize I was stepping into a classic New York deluge until the door of my friend's building closed behind me (you know the kind I'm talking about – excessive, like everything here). I didn't have an umbrella because that would have required foresight, so I hurriedly layered my phone in my sweater and gave in to the rain. I submitted to the immense loneliness I felt at the time, with the Born To Die CD softly massaging my damaged heart. The familiar hollowness in my chest softly increased after I was no longer anesthetized by five various varieties of hard-bar.

Loneliness tends to catch me off guard: a visiting friend departs, and I'm overcome with anxiety and sadness; I see a couple walking hand-in-hand on the Westside Highway and vaguely recall what it was like to be in love, truly skeptical that I'll ever have that experience again; I open the Instagram stories of my best friends in Vancouver–being their goofy, wonderful selves–and I wonder if the solitary path I've chosen is worth it.

Now, I'm not sure I'll ever embrace loneliness, but it no longer sends me into a tailspin like other feelings do (whattup shame). Loneliness is sticky and exhausting, and it tells you all kinds of lies (You're too broken to be loved/You're too broken to love someone else/Why are we here?/You're too broken to love someone else/You're too broken to love someone else/You're too broken to love someone else/You're too broken to love someone else/You're too broken to love someone else Life is passing you by/All your friends will soon be coupled off and forget about you/Does any of this really matter? ); but through the years, I've learned to embrace the loneliness rather than try to push it away. As Rumi puts it, “The suffering is the cure for the agony.” (I believe) “curing” is a lofty goal).

With my customers, loneliness is a common issue. Loneliness lurks beneath the surface, whether they're suffering from an eating problem or depression. It usually takes a few sessions for us to recognize the feeling — especially with my male clients, who find it difficult to feel anything unpleasant. However, society tells us that we are not supposed to be lonely, regardless of gender. We're supposed to be self-sufficient; “We are alone but not lonely,” we say, confident in our isolation and singledom. A confession of loneliness is a confession of neediness, immaturity, and pathology. As a result, the pain of our loneliness is exacerbated by self-judgment–by attempting to flee our thorny inner reality.

Our culture encourages isolation, which is a frightening reality (and therefore loneliness). “If we're single, “success” implies living alone, and if we're not, “success” means living in a freestanding home (usually in suburbia). We place a premium on efficiency over socializing, and on self-assurance over vulnerability. Our mode of transportation is isolated. Our parenting style is isolating. Our working style is isolated. We see supposedly related group images on social media that make us feel bad; we prefer talking on our phones than talking to the person sitting next to us on the airline; and we date people's credentials rather than their hearts. Despite this, we hide our loneliness under masks of happiness and perfection, praising thanks and positivity.

I have a master's degree in psychology and over a decade of experience talking to people about their most personal issues. I've been to a lot of therapists. I've attended over a thousand yoga sessions. I've done several intensive meditation classes and have spent years studying Buddhism and related concepts. Deepak and I are friends. What's more, you know what? I still get feelings of loneliness. Even if I ever get back into a relationship (in fact, the loneliest I've ever been in my life was when I was in a relationship), I suppose I'll always feel lonely at times.

Instead of futilely seeking to achieve eternal togetherness, I've learnt to live with loneliness as it happens. Here's how to do it:

1. Take a breather before diagnosing loneliness:

Being lonely is a normal and natural aspect of life. It suggests you crave connection, which is essentially what has kept the human species alive for thousands of years (I think online dating is going to extinguish the human race before climate change does…).

But here's the thing: I'm guessing you're reacting to (normal, healthy) loneliness with judgment. And now you're experiencing not only (healthy, normal) loneliness, but also humiliation and worry. We have a tendency to internalize society's voices (and those of our parents, lovers, siblings, bullies, and so on), misinterpreting loneliness as a sign of sickness or weakness. This isn't good. Experiment with allowing yourself to be lonely for a short period of time and see what occurs.

2. Instead, spend time getting to know it:

As I previously stated, I don't enjoy loneliness, but there are moments when I'm not motivated to avoid it; to constantly repress or numb it because perfectionism has caused me to believe I lack the abilities to deal with emotional distress. Now and then, I'm able to make room for the emotion and approach it with curiosity and compassion. So, take a page from Rumi and try to acknowledge loneliness when it strikes–perhaps even welcome it, knowing that it will pass. Rather than attempting to be superhuman and never feeling lonely, explore with compassion “When do I feel the most alone?” (After a'situationship' breakup, for this gal). “What does loneliness have to say to me?” “Where in my body do I feel lonely?” “What do I require at this time?” There will be more on this later.

3. Don't let shame rule your life:

Loneliness can swiftly turn into shame for me. I have my theories: perhaps I'm making meaning of my loneliness on an unconscious level by determining “I am awful” and “I am unlovable”; perhaps I experienced loneliness and shame together as a youngster, and one stirs up the other. I'm not certain. But the reality is that if I don't pay attention, an innocent need for connection becomes something more sinister. You're an outsider/you're broken/you're disappointing everyone. A seemingly harmless Instagram scroll turns into a hotbed of rejection and disappointment. So, if loneliness is telling you that you're feeling disconnected or alone, don't assume that feeling disconnected or isolated means you're bad or broken.

4. Be aware of impermanence:

It may have taken me 43,9721 tough feelz experiences to learn to keep this one in the forefront of my mind while I'm in emotional pain, but none of our emotional experiences–pleasurable or painful–last forever. Life is a collection of fleeting events strung together; we can relax in the unpredictability of it all by making room for the ever-changing weather and finding compassion for our humanity. So, after you've learned what my girl, Pema, refers to as “Make place for it and know it will pass,” says the author.

5. Use loneliness as a springboard for personal growth:

Some of our most valuable teachers are our tough emotions. With them, every moment is an opportunity to practice self-compassion (intentional, non-judgmental acceptance to our present experience, saying to ourselves what we would say to a friend or loved one, acknowledging loneliness is part of the universal human experience). The more we practice self-compassion, the more our brains are rewired to prefer it to self-criticism.

Loneliness might also help us strengthen our faith in a collective consciousness. We can choose to consider our suffering as an awareness experience, as a modulation of consciousness shared by billions–from whom we are not actually separated.

Finally, loneliness provides us opportunity to examine ourselves and determine what we require. Connection? Belonging? To be noticed? To have a sense of importance? So many of us have become deafeningly deafeningly deafeningly deafening We go through life doing what we “should” do, oblivious of how isolating these “shoulds” can be. We might explore several routes to true connection by looking inward to our loneliness.

6. Think about how you can create moments of connection:

• a piece of music (I cycle between old-school hip hop that brings me back to my angsty high-school years, Acoustic Covers, and a handful of Beatles songs),
• Walks along the Westside Highway with the aforementioned playlists (these usually involving moments of curiosity about what my fellow New Yorkers are struggling with).

This list excludes numbing moments, when I consider a pint of ice cream, an uninvested date, or the annihilation of the liquor shelf to be acceptable (I'm a big believer in flexible, realistic, intentional coping, which means we allow ourselves to be adults and cope in the way that best serves us, while remaining aware of the potential consequences). In times of loneliness, I use the former to reconnect with myself and the collective awareness. Consider using my list or creating your own if you're new to the idea of making room for your unpleasant feelings. It's helpful to have one on hand for those times when everything seems to be going wrong.

Loneliness, on the other hand, can be a sign that we're missing out on profound connection, especially if we experience it repeatedly. We all experience times of detachment in our lives, and some people find the vulnerability required for intimate connection more challenging than others. Consider talking with a therapist as a first step if the prospect of expanding your social network or deepening existing relationships scares you. I assist my clients in seeing where guilt, fear, and harmful attitudes are preventing them from connecting with others. Consider the following options if you feel ready to reach out:

• Sending a Facebook message or text message to someone you haven't spoken to in a long time to let them know you're thinking of them.
• Joining a REC Team, a book club, an improv group, or a MeetUp group (my weekly soccer keeps me sane)
• Volunteering for a cause you care about (a double dose of purpose and connection!) — Simply Google “volunteer opportunities” in your region and see what comes up.

I'm writing this on the bus to see my brother and his family in Washington, D.C. I don't feel as lonely as I did on my muddy walk home last weekend because I'm surrounded by other pensive-looking tourists I know are coping with their own life difficulties. But I'm not blind to the possibility of loneliness as a result of the visit–the kind of loneliness when everyone else is the most important person in the world to someone except me. But I'm not afraid of it. If I feel lonely, I'll try not to condemn, despise, or run away from it. I strongly advise you to do the same. We're all in this together, even when we're alone.

What are the four types of loneliness?

We don't have to be physically alone to feel lonely, as many of us know. A poisonous connection or relationship, for example, may be extremely isolating, and spending too much time with individuals we don't feel connected to can be detrimental to our mental health, even if we're only communicating with them through our phones. Loneliness affects people in different ways, which is why psychologists have recognized four basic types of loneliness: emotional, social, situational, and chronic.

What is the root of loneliness?

Loneliness is caused by an inner absence—you don't have a concentrated knowledge of your actual self—rather than by the absence of other individuals. Your spirit, which is unlimited and eternal, is your true self. Love, compassion, equanimity, joy, creativity, intuition, pure potentiality, and bliss are some of its attributes.

What the Bible says about loneliness?

Deuteronomy 31:6 is a good Bible passage about loneliness. It teaches you to be brave and to know that you are never alone because the Lord God is always with you. There are also other comforting Bible verses, such as Psalms 23:4, which says “I will not be afraid even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, since thou art with me, and thy rod and thy staff comfort me.” There are verses in the Bible that can provide consolation and reassure you that God is reliable and will provide for those who need him and believe in him. He will give you rest, and he will keep an eye on the bereaved and bind their wounds. He is also with you when you are experiencing extreme events such as persecution or famine.

Yes, there is proof throughout the Bible that God is concerned about your loneliness. When it comes to loneliness, the Bible contains numerous scriptures that might provide comfort in times of need. One of these is Matthew 11: 28, where Jesus Christ says that if you are “lowly in heart,” he will “grant you rest.” You can also look at Isaiah 43:2, where it says that even if you don't know what you're doing, you're doing it “You will not be alone if you “cross through the waters.” God will not abandon you or abandon you, and he is concerned about your loneliness. Every believer should understand that God and Jesus Christ want them to realize they are not alone in the world and to take comfort in that knowledge. If you're feeling down, try looking up a verse of the day to lift your spirits. In other words, Bible verses may be able to help you feel better about your condition if you are lonely.

The basic point of Psalms 46 is that God is constantly there with you. You can rely on Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit even in difficult circumstances, such as famine or nakedness. They could be able to help you get through difficult situations. Other Bible verses, Bible texts, or whatever you choose to call them, also mention this. Another is Matthew 28:16, in which Christ Jesus explains how he is teaching people to follow regulations so that they would always be safe. This is how you will know for sure that the Lord God will not abandon you. When it states he is teaching them to obey laws or commandments, what he is essentially saying is that these are the guidelines that the Lord your God wants you to follow.

In the Bible, there are a few places where community is discussed, such as in Romans 12. You are expected to cooperate together with others and not to think of yourself as superior to others. Money is believed to be a bad desire, therefore try not to want goods in this world. It is sometimes misquoted, with many claiming that money is the source of all evil while, in fact, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. Instead, you can collaborate with others to finish tasks and when you require assistance or support. If you participate in Bible study with others, for example, you may be able to meet others who share your interests, such as a shared love of Christ, and form friendships with them. This is what it is to have a sense of belonging.

You could be lonely for a variety of reasons. One reason is because you don't have anyone to chat to or hang out with and you'd like to do so. Another reason could be that you've recently moved or made a significant life shift and are now cut off from the people you care about. Whatever the reason for your loneliness, you should make every effort to reach out to those you care about and maintain contact with them. Remember that just as he was with you in times of famine or nakedness, he will be with you in times of loneliness.

When you're feeling lonely, you might wish to phone and talk to your loved ones. You might be able to schedule a coffee date or a meet-up with folks who are important to you. If you don't have any other options, you can contact them via social media. If you want to talk about your loneliness and how to fix it, you can even seek professional help through the employment of a therapist. If you're interested in Bible verses, Bible websites, or different sorts of Bible study, you might want to look into them. Remember that the Bible says he will give you rest, heal your brokenheartedness, and bind up your wounds, so you can be healthy.

The Bible encourages you to give back to your community and assist those in need. For example, Psalms 68 says that he brings out the prisoners and those who are shackled, implying that even those who have been in bondage or jail should be looked after. When it comes to persecution or famine, he doesn't want anyone to be alone. You should realize that you are a part of something bigger when you pass through the waters and experience Christ's love. At the same time, you must continue to read Bible scriptures and lessons, as well as be a good person.

In Matthew 19, Jesus Christ explained to the rich man the commandments he must observe in order to follow Christ. The 10 commandments, which include not lying, murdering, honoring my father and mother, and having no other gods, may be familiar to you. He also advised him to sell his belongings if he wished to follow him. Because the guy refused to make these changes, Christ Jesus emphasized that it is difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. One reason for this is that money is widely seen as the source of all evil.

The Bible may be a wonderful source of consolation and instruction. Although the Bible contains many valuable messages, obtaining the assistance of someone who is familiar with specific mental difficulties and has assisted others in the past might be beneficial.

Which chakra is loneliness?

A lack of energy in the fourth chakra, often known as the heart chakra, might make you feel lonely, alone, and melancholy. Many people in this situation try to fill the void by seeking love from others.

What are the stages of spiritual awakening?

The hero's journey, an evolutionary process of growth and transformation woven into all great myths and stories, was outlined by renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell: “A genuinely heroic shift of awareness occurs when we stop worrying about ourselves and our own self-preservation.”

The primary pushing off point for any hero's quest is known as the call to adventure. The call to adventure is a break from regular life, a signal that comes from deep inside, grabs your attention, and drives you in a new direction. The spark that sets off a spiritual awakening is a call to adventure. Every life has a moment that, if grasped, will change it forever. The call to adventure is a reawakening experience, a shift in perspective that forces you to reconsider your perspective on life. A travel to a strange location, the loss of innocence, an illness, a challenge, the death of a close friend, a near-death experience, or the loss of a job are all examples of spiritual experiences. Regardless of the specifics, the experience alters your perspective and causes you to see the world through fresh eyes. You've been given the task of living an ordinary life in an extraordinary way.

At this critical juncture, Joseph Campbell advises that you must choose whether or not to accept the call to adventure. In truth, though, ignoring the call isn't an option because your soul is inviting you to change on a deeper level. If you ignore the call, the opportunity will recycle itself like a skip on a record, patiently waiting for you to embrace the call to a new existence, thanks to your unique karmic influences. Furthermore, there is no going back once a transforming and deeply waking incident has occurred. Your eyes have been opened, and no matter how much you try to reject it, you can't turn away from the image of a greater reality calling to you.

You enter a broader universe once you've answered the call to adventure. You take an active role in your spiritual development and advancement. As you begin to manage your life toward chances that enhance your knowledge, responsibility becomes the operative word. Everything feels the same and weirdly different at the same time, thanks to a tiny alteration in perspective.

How do loners survive?

Loners are prone to doing things on their own and prefer to address challenges or problems in their own way. Allow lots of space for a solitary to ponder and breathe when interacting with them. Don't push them into making a decision, and don't put too much pressure on them to act soon.

When dealing with loners, patience and tolerance are appropriate tactics. Allow them to re-energize and become accustomed to their surroundings before attempting to engage. If you give them the space they require, they are more likely to open up and invite you into their private world.

What are examples of loneliness?

Loneliness is a huge obstacle to happiness. The more I've learned about happiness, the more I've realized that loneliness is a common and significant stumbling block to overcome.

We need intimate ties to be happy; we need to be able to confide in others, to feel like we belong, and to be able to receive and provide support. Strong relationships are, in fact, essential — possibly essential — to a happy existence.

Being alone and being lonely aren't the same thing. Loneliness is taxing, distracting, and unpleasant, whereas desired isolation is soothing, creative, and restorative.

There appear to be different sorts of loneliness, in my opinion. Of course, not everyone feels lonely in the scenarios outlined – not everyone wants a love companion, for example. However, for some people, the absence of certain types of relationships might lead to loneliness.

It may be easier to identify solutions to combat loneliness once we've identified the type of loneliness we're experiencing.

1. Loneliness in a new situation. You've relocated to a new city where you know no one, or you've started a new career, or you've started school with a lot of new people. You're by yourself.