Thank you for your input. Yes, discerning the difference between “alone” and “lonely” is important. I’m not so sure that your comments about yoga are necessarily as “non-traditional” as the perhaps they once were. Yoga is being embraced by many for a number of benefits including physical health, mindful awareness training and reflection.

Lisa

Yoga therapeutics also highlights the misperception of separateness as the core of all suffering in Patajali’s Yoga Sutra’s on the Klesha’s. Once the misperception is discovered, then many of the fears and barriers around meeting new people and social engagement fall away generating a virtuous cycle and the experience of joy/happiness.
Just some non-traditional ramblings…thx for the discussion everyone!

Thank you for your comment. I agree that some don’t have the benefit of family and friends as much as others. For people who are inherently more disconnected and want connection, it requires effort to make those connections. This can take the form of joining clubs, meet-up groups or other attempts to meet others – to ideally make deeper friendships that are more “sustaining and nourishing.”

No, I don’t think people who don’t have quality connections are “doomed” to be unhappy. I do know that we are born wired to connect to others. Insecure attachments with parents or primary caregivers often keeps people from trusting connection – or fearing it.

The good news – people who are less trusting of relationships can rewire their brains with new, positive experiences. But yes – it takes effort and intent.

Thank you Lisa :)
dr. Tessa (Indonesia)