“Seclusion is the price of greatness,” said Paramhansa Yogananda. Why would this be so? Well, there aren’t many of us who have lived and worked in society that haven’t found themselves saying “God if I could just get some time alone.” And then we fill in the rest of the sentence with something like; “then I’d be able to think straight” or “I could get some perspective on things”.
The truth is, that time alone with “our Selves” is one of the most healthy things we can do for ourselves!
Coupled with an intention of connecting with the Divine Friend or our own Higher Self……breakthroughs can be made that otherwise could not come to fruition.
Being a meditater and serving God in others in a beautiful Retreat, I find that even in this environment I still crave Seclusion. The need to spend time with God, to take time that could be days, or a week, where I read, write, meditate more, keep silence and just unplug from outward involvement is vital to my continued service as well as my own development spiritually.
You are made the same as me, but sometimes we just don’t listen to that “inner voice” that says, “It’s time to be alone with my self, with my Creator.”
The last seclusion I took in Feb. of this year still lingers with me. I still reflect on the deep meditations I had and the simple joy of silence and just being and not “doing” gave me.
The saying is these days is “Take care of yourself”, or “be good to you”,” do something nice for yourself.” Instinctively we know that we must get filled up again so that we can continue to want to wake up and do what has been given us to do. But getting your nails done or buying a new outfit, or buying a new toy, just doesn’t cut the mustard!
Simply because these are fleeting pleasures and will not last. In fact even a new car looses it’s luster after a few weeks. We certainly don’t feel that it has made us a better person, or added anything to our character.
Listening to the still inner voice, speaking with our Creator in gratitude, being reminded of what is of true value and what only seems to have substance; these are keepers! To read books on the saints, to be in nature, these help to nurture our spirit and our mind. Even physically we benefit, because our bodies are relaxed and at ease.
Seclusion is the price of greatness, because the value of this time gives us the wisdom to live in the world, but not of the world!
In Divine Blessing,
Nayaswami Brindey