From time to time there is a strong calling from within to leave the world of others and immerse into the world of self. It is a calling of special separation, a retreat one could say, so that the self stays for a moment alone. 

This moment of solitude can last from 10 minutes to 10 days or 10 months. Solitude is not to be confused with loneliness. It certainly does not embed a feeling of being left alone, excluded, ignored or abandoned. Solitude is also not to be confused with a rejection of the company of other humans, the friends or the beloveds. Instead it is a choice to stay primarily in the company of the self.

As the murmur of the crowd quiets, the chaos of thoughts settles down too. Stillness takes over, and clarity rises, just like when the fog dissolves in the air. In these moments of solitude, we be-friend ourselves and craft our self-awareness. We dedicate our time solely to our existence.  Occasionally, we reach out to our deepest wounds, wishes and fears, listen carefully to our soul and honor our story. In these moments we also be-friend the place we are in. We listen to her own deepest wounds, wishes and fears, sharing the unspoken grief and hope. One would be surprised to witness how many things a human has in common with the land, or to witness the richness and intensity of this kind of silent conversation.

This time, the call to solitude came to me unexpectedly. It was an internal urge to stay far from the fuss of social media, the busy internet world, the unnecessary conversations. I instinctively chose to focus on the important, the very valuable and precious. To my surprise, I lingered in this space of “solitude” for a month! It has been a serene, deep, sacred moment of reconnection with myself and the nature. Coming back to the world now, I return with a soft heart, a clear vision and an open spirit.

Eleni Michail