The Secrets of Solitude: Lessons from the Lofty
Great men are like eagles, and build their nest on some lofty solitude.
Arthur Schopenhauer
When we look upon those great eagles and men that soar in the high skies, we often awe at their nobleness, detached from the mortal realm of trivial matters. Yet, do we really understand the price of solitude they paid?
They’d spend weeks, months, years sometimes an entire lifetime labouring for their highest purpose — despite knowing that almost nobody would presently understand them and appreciate their efforts (e.g. Nietzsche).
This profound kind of solitude and estrangement from the crowd inevitable for those great, noble souls — how many of us can really tolerate it?
However, know that the torment of solitude is not simply a choice, but a right of passage for greatness. It is only in those quiet moments, spent in rare-air, that one starts to appreciate the perfume of purpose. So often is it dampened by the murkiness of mundane existence that we often forget its fragrance.
Solitude has its it own kind of beauty. Rather, it allows us to see our own: to appreciate the beauty of our souls and the unique calling given to each.
Nietzsche remarks on the solitude of people who aspire to rise above the masses. To such people, “all company is a means, a delay, or a resting place; until their goal is reached, nothing else is of any importance.”
Perhaps that is too extreme — but it is still in large part still true. If your life was put in a book, how many characters appear for more than a chapter?
However, take relief in the fact that, eventually, no matter how isolated we are, and how lonely we feel, if we do our work in truth and love, good company will seek us and perhaps we too will seek out each other — for the burdens we bear are too heavy for one — alone. Especially if we have risen above “the narrow confines of our individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of our community and all humanity.” Read more on this here:
Ultimately, though we walk a lonely path, we must still remember those who love us. Let them be our source of strength, companionship and joy on our solitary journey into the wilderness of the self.
Understand that: If we are going to spend time away from the people who love us, and will worry for and miss us, we owe it to them to spend that time away in a way that honours their love for us. In other words, if you are going to spend time away from those you cherish and who cherish you (as you inevitably will on your journey), you better spend that time winning.
Postscript: careful not to mistake solitude for true loneliness.
Find out more about the difference between Solitude and Loneliness and the practical steps to embrace solitude in Marko’s Story:
Feel free to share your thoughts below.
Till next time, dear reader!
