Reminiscences

Solitude is a state of Mind, and not a state of the Body.

A sadhaka asked ShriMaharaj, 'Is solitude a must for experiencing God ?' ShriMaharaj said, "What is solitude? Solitude consists in ending of one's awareness of the self, that is, one's sense of apartness of the self from the one solitary Cosmic Soul. Now you can yourself tell me wlid.her there is a necessity for solitude. Solitude is the source of joy. Even in simple enjoyment of the senses, one cannot experience joy unless one forgets oneself, that is, unless there is an ending of one's awareness of the self. If this is so, then solitude has to be a necessity for experi­encing the everlasting bliss in God. But as one usually Imiigines, solitude is not retiring to a forest. Solitude is a state of the mind and not a state of the body.