Spirituality is about community. A faith without physical community, social interaction and corporate mission is barely religious, if it is anything at all. Our spiritual tree’s most delectable offerings hang heavy from branches bent by the weight of fruit laden with human virtues, such as: love, generosity, patience, kindness, long-suffering, etc. This particular sort of fruit provides deep nourishment especially designed for social settings. So, it goes without saying: The spiritual life is an incurably communal venture, but, I must ask, is that all this life is? No.
A quick look at history’s most celebrated spiritual leaders reveals more than a few common and universal connections shared between them. One of the single most obvious is a shared need not only for the aforementioned communal interaction, but also for solitary meditation and prayer.
Gautama the Buddha, for example, gave up self-mortification and spiritual extremism for a “Middle Way” characterized by balance and moderation. Siddhartha then, while sitting under his pipal tree, dedicated himself indefinitely to a solitary time of searching for Truth. The result: Enlightenment.
Jesus of Nazareth, during his itinerant journeys, collected followers by the dozens. Throngs of spiritually hungry people not only gathered around him to feast upon the meal at the table he set, but also continued to trek along with him towards the next one. People followed him everywhere all the time. Jesus, as a result, would, from time to time, find it necessary to peel away from the throngs to find a quiet, lonely place where he could make time for solitary prayer and mediation. The Result: Jesus’ life teaching.
We all need community; we need to be together. We also need to find our own private spaces within our togetherness. Doing so is imperative to spiritual growth and vitality. A spiritual life void of quiet, lonely times of inward contemplation and prayer will not produce the fruit necessary for holistic living. Religious leaders throughout history have illustrated for us the importance of a quiet time set apart for the care of our individual spirits. We would do well to take seriously their universal examples.
So, set aside a few solitary hours each week for prayer and mediation and get to know yourself better. Find your own quiet and private space somewhere within all of the togetherness.
Art Credit: smashmethod