How to Bear Your Loneliness

When life throws us into an emotionally and spiritually challenging state of loneliness, it can be difficult to rise above. Much like the continuous force of a sea current, the heartache of being alone can sometimes be too overwhelming and powerful to resist. Finding peace in the present moment and reconnecting with the divine can seem impossible. However, through the teachings and insight of the great Buddhist teacher, it is possible to bear the difficulty of loneliness without being consumed by its tides.

To help bear the pain of loneliness, Buddhist teachings suggest recognizing the impermanence of all things. This understanding emphasizes the importance of appreciating each moment of life, gold or gravel. As Buddhist wisdom reveals, “nothing remains forever-- all is constantly changing”. Through consciously deciding to appreciate the present moment, one can bring themselves out of their lonesome isolation, even if momentarily. Though this moment lasts only a short while, it can prove to be incredibly nourishing to the body and soul.

The second way to bear the pain of loneliness is to focus on self-acceptance and graciousness. The cultivation of self-love leads to the undeniable growth of one’s strength and resilience. Therefore, it is important to make sure to honor yourself by allowing yourself to be worthy of love and compassion. Rather than succumbing to the downward spiral of resentment and guilt, it is important to gleam self-growth and acceptance from the temperance of being alone.

Another way to remain resilient during emotional flareups is by developing an understanding of emotive recognition through observation. It is vital to observe one’s surrounding emotions as well as internal emotional processing. By observing what is happening inside oneself and out, it becomes easier to work through personal emotional reactions rather than either repressing them completely or succumbing to the overpowering intensity of loneliness.

Finally, meditating to reconnect with the divine is an essential practice for grounding during emotionally turbulent times. Buddhist meditation has been widely known to be beneficial in helping to bridge the gap between the physical world and the spiritual world. Through developing a mindfulness practice, one can help to achieve balance by constructing a bridge with the calming energies of both realms.

The disciples of the great Buddhist teachers were able to use these grounding techniques to help cope with their feelings of loneliness. Through actively engaging in reminders of self-love, self-acceptance, observance, and meditation, it is possible to stay afloat during a flood of painful emotions. Learning to ground oneself within the struggles of loneliness is an invaluable skill that can be achieved through consistency and an open-heart.

By incorporating these wise words of the great Buddhist teachers into our own lives, it is possible to create a strong foundation in which to reside during times of isolation. With mindful perspective and inspired insight we have the ability to bring strength and resilience to our times of lonesomeness.