Searching Together In Isolation - Part Two

In the original post I ended with "in insolation love does not flow". My friend Kathryn asked for me to share more on this. I’ve been reflecting and rereading my original post from a few days ago and below I wanted to share my thoughts on isolation but also on solitude and the difference between the two.

In isolation love does not flow. When I cut myself out from the world, generally I am isolating through judgment. The moment I judge, I catch myself because I have entered the 'this or that' mind. Judgment separates beings. Fear separates beings. The moment we are separated we have isolated, not just the other, but we have isolated a part of ourselves and when we isolate ourselves, we decrease the flow of love, the giving and the receiving that naturally occurs. Personally, I'm working daily on dissolving judgment and the ego in order to open up more, to keep the taps of love open. It is a work in progress!

Then there is solitude. What is the difference between solitude and isolation? For me solitude means spending time on my own, to be comfortable with my whole self, mind, body and soul. To isolate would mean to do everything I can so I don't have to be with myself, with my mind. Distractions such as media, food, drinks, sugar, unaligned socializing etc... Isolation doesn't mean spending time on your own. To isolate means spending time in this world doing all we can to prevent creating a relationship with the deeper parts of our self. If we are unable to connect deeply with ourselves then how can we connect deeply with others?

If we aren't connecting deeply with ourselves then likely we judge ourselves and swimming in the ocean of not good enough (I'm still drying off parts of myself). To be in solitude is to be so comfortable and loving with your self that it spills out into all dimensions, this life and the life beyond. Words are not required, your mere presence will fill another with love, warmth and joy. This is solitude.

Isolation leaves us disconnected. Solitude lands us in the ocean of universal love.