Solitude

"We are so afraid of silence that we chase ourselves from one event to the next in order not to have to spend a moment alone with ourselves, in order not to have to look  at ourselves in the mirror."
--Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Part of talking about Meditation is also approaching the habit of Solitude...  How can we focus solely on God when we are surrounded by other people?  by constant noise and distractions?  We can't.  In order to take time to feed our souls, we need to take time to be alone.  And be quiet.  In today's culture this may seem like a weird concept... but followers of all faiths have been disciplined in solitude for centuries!  It has always been recognized as a way to further a faith journey with full concentration on the one thing that matters more than all else...  God.

"The desire of Solitude is to leave people behind and enter into time alone with God...

"...The practice of Solitude includes: giving God time and space that is not in competition with social contact, noise or stimulation; taking a retreat; communing with God alone while you walk or run by yourself; practicing disciplines alone - study, prayer, examen, journaling, etc...

"...The fruit of Solitude includes: liberation from constantly living your life in reference to other people; quieting the internal noise so you can better listen to God; giving yourself time and space to internalize what you already know...

"In solitude the heart waits for God, and God alone.  Here the soul opens wide to listen and receive."
--Adele Calhoun, "Spiritual Disciplines Handbook"

How will you find some time for solitude this week?