Learning to Be Alone

She had a nice office. Pictures of family and places she had visited adorned the walls. One small ivy plant draped down the side of her desk and another larger plant, a lemon tree that she couldn’t resist buying, stood facing the window. Yet everyday she must pass other offices and open cubicles where people could sometimes be seen laughing and talking before the workday began. However, rarely did anyone notice or greet her as she, with a heavy heart, walked to her own workspace. Her loneliness was a terrible, hurtful burden.

Did you know that some people believe loneliness is a worldwide epidemic? The Our World Data states that those aged 16 to 24 are the group most likely to report feeling lonely, with 10% feeling lonely “often or always.” In contrast, those aged 65 years and older are the group least likely to report feeling lonely, with 3% feeling lonely “often or always.”  And what does it mean to “feel lonely”? Are loneliness and being alone the same thing? Can you feel lonely if your partner does not want to pursue the same path as you?

Sadhguru answers a seeker’s question on handling a relationship where the other person is not interested in spirituality.