Solitude – Just to get away or is there more?

 

Solitude is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as, “The state or quality of being alone or remote from others… remoteness from habitations, as of a place; absence of human activity: the solitude of the mountain…a lonely, unfrequented place: a solitude in the mountains.” 

 

One can picture the hermit who lives life totally away from all civilization, someone who has lost all ability to interact in a healthy way with others.  It may also apply to the solitary figures we know of who always seem lonely and would as often as not stay away from social interaction.  On the other hand solitude can be thought of in a very positive and refreshing way, a walk on a beach, a hike through a quiet forest, a mountain hideaway and the like.  It can be seen as a way to renew and refresh.   It is easy to picture both of these examples and to think of people who gravitate to one or the other version of solitude.

 

Psychologists and psychiatrists point out the importance of solitude.  Hara Estroff Marano in an article for Psychology Today Magazine, stated the importance of finding solitude to dealing with the busyness of life…“Otherwise we feel overloaded, overreact to minor annoyances and feel like we can never catch up. As far as I’m concerned, one of the best ways [to avoid this overwhelmed feeling] is by seeking, and enjoying, solitude….Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of engagement with oneself. Solitude is desirable, a state of being alone where you provide yourself wonderful and sufficient company.  Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection, inner searching or growth or enjoyment of some kind. Deep reading requires solitude, so does experiencing the beauty of nature. Thinking and creativity usually do too.”

 

This all sounds good to me.  I like the quiet of the forest, the serenity of gazing at the ocean and the peace on a mountain trail, but that is not all there is to solitude.  Solitude in a Biblical sense as practiced by Jesus, David and many others is similar to that described by the psychologists, but with one significant addition.  This kind of biblical solitude is in the company of God.  Jesus often went away to the hills…to be with the Father.  This is where He found His source of strength and joy to carry on the ministry of redemption He was called too. He wasn’t getting away because people were driving Him crazy…He was getting away to pray (even for those most of us would have been running from).

 

Thomas Merton wrote in his book, New Seeds of Contemplation that “Some men have perhaps become hermits with the thought that sanctity could only be attained by escape from other men.  But the only justification for a life of deliberate solitude is the conviction that it will help you to love not only God but also other men.  If you go into the desert merely to get away from people you dislike, you will find neither peace nor solitude; you will only isolate yourself with a tribe of devils.”   No, solitude is not for running away from our troubles, it is running to God to help us in our troubles.

 

Our wilderness times are to quiet our own inner striving, to invite God in and wait upon Him with a listening heart.  It is helpful to get away from our routine to do this but solitude doesn’t always need to be in the desert or mountains.  It can be on a stroll near our home, it can be in a public place or even a quiet spot in our home.  Richard Foster points out that “solitude is more a state of mind and heart than it is a place”.  But solitude is not always easy for us in this culture.  Henri Nouwen probably said it best when he stated that “Our inner life often looks like a banana tree full of jumping monkeys”.  This is a long way from a quiet heart and being able to listen to the voice of God.   But Nouwen urges us on …”But when we decide not to run away [from solitude] and stay focused, these monkeys may gradually go away because of lack of attention, and the soft gentle voice calling us the beloved may gradually make itself heard.”

 

Henri Nouwen asked the question, “Why is it so important that you are with God and God alone on the mountain top? It’s important because it’s the place in which you can listen to the voice of the One who calls you the beloved. To pray is to listen to the One who calls you “my beloved daughter,” “my beloved son,” “my beloved child.” To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being.”   

 

I believe strongly in this viewpoint stated by Nouwen.  This is why we are to practice solitude, because we need to hear from God.  We need to know we are the beloved.   We need to have something to give back to the body of believers.   Without meeting with God what do we really have to give that imparts life?  This is why I make space for solitude.  If Jesus found this necessary why would we not also?

It’s time to quiet the monkeys and let God’s gentle voice speak into your heart.

Make some time and space for solitude…and God.

Blessings, Scott for Wellspring Copyright 2008