garden of solitude

Solitude is the garden for our hearts, which yearn for love. It is the place where our aloneness can bear fruit. It is the home for our restless bodies and anxious minds. Solitude, whether it is connected with a physical space or not, is essential for our spiritual lives. It is not an easy place to be, since we are so insecure and fearful that we are easily distracted by whatever promises immediate satisfaction. Solitude is not immediately satisfying, because in solitude we meet our demons, our addictions, our feelings of lust and anger, and our immense need for recognition and approval. But if we do not run away, we will meet there also the One who says, "Do not be afraid. I am with you, and I will guide you through the valley of darkness."

Henri Nouwen

I come to the garden alone 

While the dew is still on the roses 

And the voice I hear falling on my ear 

The Son of God discloses. 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

He speaks, and the sound of His voice, 

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, 

And the melody that He gave to me 

Within my heart is ringing. 

C. Austin Miles

 

still and quiet with Sandy

 

the hidden life

If indeed the spiritual life is essentially a hidden life, 

how do we protect this hiddenness in the midst of a very public life?   

The two most important ways to protect our hiddenness are solitude and poverty.  

Solitude allows us to be alone with God.  

There we experience that we belong not to people, 

not even to those who love us and care for us, but to God and God alone.  

Poverty is where we experience our own and other people's weakness, 

limitations, and need for support.  

To be poor is to be without success, without fame, and without power.  

But there God chooses to show us God's love.

Both solitude and poverty protect the hiddenness of our lives.

Henri Nowen

in the hiding and abiding place with Sandy

 

loneliness or solitude

I remember when everywhere I looked

concrete, cars, houses and apartments

filled my vision

people seemed to be everywhere

noise, constant conversation

it was often impossible to be alone

yet the loneliness of the crowd

cut deep

now my eyes see trees, fields, open sky

not another home visible

unless I use binoculars

life runs to a slower rhythm

quiet, few phone calls

I can go for days seeing only my husband

a steady diet of time alone

and the fullness of that solitude

nourishes deeper still

joining Lisa-Jo spurred by the word lonely

 

Not lonely

All human beings are alone. 

No other person will completely feel like we do, 

think like we do, act like we do. 

Each of us is unique, 

and our aloneness is the other side of our uniqueness. 

The question is whether we let our aloneness become loneliness 

or whether we allow it to lead us into solitude. 

Loneliness is painful; solitude is peaceful. 

Loneliness makes us cling to others in desperation; 

solitude allows us to respect others in their uniqueness 

and create community.

Letting our aloneness grow into solitude 

and not into loneliness is a lifelong struggle. 

It requires conscious choices about whom to be with, 

what to study, how to pray, and when to ask for counsel. 

But wise choices will help us to find the solitude 

where our hearts can grow in love.

Henri Nouwen

Breathing slow with Sandy