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Alone but Not Lonely!
The difference between loneliness and “aloneness”
On the verge of leaving for college, my son asserts independence in ways I never imagined. For one, he no longer lets me pack his lunch — he’s pretty skilled at doing it himself, putting together delicious recipes on his own. My husband, too, remains buried in his job except for our Saturday night dates. To top it off, destiny, disguised as my spiritual companion, has ensured I stop spiritual initiations and one-on-one life coaching.
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Overall, the universe has given me an early retirement from my worldly duties, leaving me at a crossroads. This quieter phase of mine worried my mother, who recently accepted my initiation as Sushree Sri Bhuvaneshvari Om — no rules or situation can stop me from initiating my parents. This post extends what I told her about loneliness and “aloneness.”
Loneliness: A Sense of Disconnection
Solitude is often viewed as loneliness, but the two are very different. Unlike being alone, loneliness is a painful experience. It is a feeling of emotional or spiritual disconnect, which comes with sadness, isolation from people, and even a sense of purposelessness.
