Alone
April 6, 2014 § 21 Comments
I am alone in this moment.
Empty house. Solitude.
Not lonely, not disconnected or isolated. Just alone.
I have been in crowded rooms, surrounded by familiar faces, and yet nearly undone by a sense of loneliness and disconnection.
Solitude helps me to settle, to center. From that place I can feel the connection to all things- the woods just outside the window, the cloudy evening sky, the bird sailing on.
And the connection with all those who have been truly with me, those who share this sense of unity, those who allow themselves to be open and vulnerable. The tender filaments of true human connection.
Feeling connected can come in solitude and it can come in company. Not a matter of physical presence. Spiritual presence.
When I am here, really here, fully and spiritually, I am never isolated, never apart.
Alone, yet never alone.
only here only now 
Solitude is my sanctuary at times. When I am alone, I keep company with my most essential being.
Thank you Tom…I understand this completely. I need alone to centre myself. Some people take this personally, or don’t understand. Some people are fed by being with others. This wears me out after awhile, yet I still need that as well. It’s all about balance, which is different for all of us I guess.
This is such a beautiful place to be. I love seeing and feeling it through your eyes. xo
Alone is one of those words that terrifies some and is embraced by others. You’ve captured the beauty and necessity of the paradox.
Thanks so much, Sharon.
Good to hear from you.
Tom
Amen! I too love the fullness of being alone. Thanks for sharing.
“The tender filaments of true human connection.” What a beautiful line, Tom. And alone without being lonely–a wonderful place to be…. 🙂
Perfect description of the difference between being alone and loneliness. It is indeed a horrible feeling to be lonely in a relationship. Been there, done that. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart, Tom.
Alone, yet never alone. Mostly how I feel Tom, mostly alone but always I feel a presence, so never feel lonely. Thank you for sharing.
Namaste
Anne
Love this connected solitude you have. The better kind of solitude.
Very peaceful post. You have captured the sereneness of those quiet moments.
I learned to love silence after a lifetime of never allowing silence in my life. It has become my favorite time of the day. I’m with you.
That was really pretty, to hear what is in your mind. Almost as if I was standing with you listening to your thoughts. Thank you. Sheri
Sheri,
I wrote this almost directly from my feelings and thoughts- really no editing. So I’m happy that you could feel this way about the experience of reading.
Thanks for taking the time to read and leave the kind words- and thank you for your own important writings.
Tom
😊 no wonder it was amazing. Those compulsive ones usually are-:)
yes, my favourite way of being Tom, in solitude, alone yet not alone, you put it so well 🙂
Christine,
Thanks so much.
Like right now, alone in my house, but here with your kind thoughts and presence.
Tom
Alone vs. Lonely…yes…have never been more lonely than while I was married.
It’s true. The feeling of loneliness when with others is deep and wrenching. The sense of disconnection becomes even more powerful when the other person is right there, and yet not there.
Thank you for the open and vulnerable response.
Tom
Detached in attachment
and the the paradox of here,
but not there, I kinda sorta
wish to say “Hello!” Bye now.
🙂 Uncle Tree
Tree,
Nothing but paradox. But, like you, I embrace it.
If all things were somehow linear and symmetrical, life would be unbearable.
Thanks for coming by.
Tom