Dealing with the Problem of Loneliness

By Jayaram V

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A tree has better chances of propagation and survival in the midst of a forest rather than standing alone in a grass land. Animals such as lions, tigers, giraffes, wild buffalos and elephants ensure their survival and safety by staying in groups and following group norms. Birds live in flocks and migrate from one place to another in groups. Even fish, bees, ants and several microorganisms live in colonies to ensure their safety and continuity as species.

The very process of survival of each group of organisms depends upon how its members contribute to their overall welfare and preservation, despite the competition they face from one another. Nature promotes survival of organisms that are best adapted to their environment living in groups and competing within themselves for resources and propagation. When you look at life in general, it becomes obvious that plants, animals or humans, generally tend to prefer to live in groups and follow group norms. The animals may not have our intelligence, but they know instinctively that living together is safer than living alone.

Social banishment is a peculiar custom followed not only by humans, but also by many animal communities. When it comes to punishing others, both humans and animals tend to isolate their targets as a very convenient solution to subject them to intense physical and emotional pressure and make an example out of them.

LONELINESS AND SOLITUDE

Loneliness is different from solitude. Some people prefer to stay alone for spiritual, personal or professional reasons. It gives them an opportunity to spend some time with themselves and focus on the important aspects of their lives. It energizes them and gives them a respite to recuperate from the sheer monotony of life.

We all need time to be with ourselves. We need space so that we can be free temporarily from the social noise and recuperate. It is a conscious choice we make to be free from the pressures of life and find solace in the recesses of our own hearts and minds. Solitary living is an ideal, if not a precondition, according to many religions, for the spiritual advancement of an individual and for cleaning the body and mind of their accumulated toxins caused by stress and strain...