Loneliness is a complex social phenomenon that defies definition. You can live alone but not feel lonely. On the other hand, you may be living with another person and feel lonely. You may be in a big crowd and feel lonely or you may feel you are a part of this crowd and feel wonderful.

A person may have an all-consuming passion which leaves no room for another person in his life. Some of our greatest philosophers, composers, and scientists lived alone to fully devote themselves to their work. Again, some of the greatest masterpieces in music and literature were left to us by individuals who were gregarious, married more than once, and had many children.

Loneliness could be by choice or could be forced upon a person; shut-ins are an example.

There is, however, one universal rule: we all need, at times, to be alone in order to know ourselves and to sort out the events and people in our lives. No amount of learning can ever teach us (about ourselves) as much as the knowledge gained during quiet moments spent alone.

There is probably a direct correlation between the time spent alone with our own thoughts, and the kind of persons we are. An individual who is always involved with friends and family, always surrounds himself with the noise of the television, radio or stereo, is probably shallow and has little to give to himself and to others.

In our modern society, we yearn for the magical moments when we can stop all activities around us and nourish our souls. But this is almost impossible in this “advanced” age. And so we go on with this undefined hunger in us and feel robbed of something we know not what.

In my next two sections, I explore the diametrically opposed feelings brought by loneliness.

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