More from "Solitude is Not Separation" by Thomas Merton.
Physical solitude has its dangers, but we must not exaggerate them. The great temptation of modern humanity is not physical solitude but immersion in the mass of other people, not escape to the mountains or the desert (would that more people were so tempted!) but escape into the great formless sea of irresponsibility which is the crowd. There is actually no more dangerous solitude than that of the person who is lost in a crowd, who does not know s/he is alone and who does not function as a person in a community either.
What is it to not know one is alone but to also not know that one is not a part of a community?!? The other day I was at an event at which a woman was to appear in a parade...a quite public event. I didn't know she was going to be in the parade but I noticed that from the time she stepped out of her car she wore the biggest smile I have ever seen. I could be that it wasn't the biggest...but rather it was the length of the smile...the stamina...the endlessness to it. The smile on this person's face was meant to attract others - a politicians smile - and yet, it saw in it a smile that made absolutely no connection to others. The smile seemed to be a way to be noticed and yet it was also a type of facade that kept some distance from the crowd while being deep within it. I was taken back by the lack of life present. I wondered how hard one had to work to keep that smile in place and what was the expectation behind the smile. Maybe it is to be known in the crowd without having to know the crowd.
Connection: It is good to know when we are moving into places of solitude. That is a healthy move. And yet, when we are with others it is good to be with them and not simply among them. "Being with" others demands our attention and our commitment.
Lord of Life, you make us social people and when we are with others we need be empowered to give ourselves to the life of the community. In that engagement, we make more of ourselves and bring new life to the community. Remind us of the joy of community and the wonder and joy of intentional solitude and retreat. Amen.
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