I watched your program—very interesting—but I noticed that you keep repeating the same point about validation, solitude, and the greatness of discovering one’s trueg nature. You emphasize not seeking validation and expanding within, but why this repetition?
I am a recluse, living in solitude for almost twenty-two hours a day, alone. I don’t just talk about solitude—I practice it. I engage with myself, sometimes through various activities and sometimes through complete stillness, which is even harder than keeping busy.
But here’s my question. Even if one chooses to live in solitude, a recluse still needs society. Without the contributions of others, solitude wouldn’t be possible. We rely on what others create, provide, and maintain, even as we live alone. I don’t say this as a criticism but as someone who knows this from experience.
Your video on solitude is wonderful, but if solitude is so complete, why is there a comment section? Why is there an option to subscribe or sign in? Even you, who speak of solitude and not seeking validation, need social media, need to produce and share content with others. This proves that, no matter how much we embrace solitude, we cannot exist entirely apart from society.
Perhaps the real wisdom lies not in choosing between solitude and society but in understanding their balance. Solitude offers self-reflection, but it is made possible by the unseen web of interdependence that sustains us. True solitude is not a rejection of others but an awareness of how deeply we are connected, even in our aloneness.
And if we depend on others for our solitude, we must also recognize that they have the right to seek something from us in return. Just as we appreciate that they do not disturb us, we must be prepared for moments when they need us—whether for support, guidance, or simple human connection. Solitude is not just about what we take from the world but also about what we owe to it.
Even artificial systems—mere data—seek validation. They prompt for feedback, ratings, and engagement. If even something that has no emotions or human consciousness is structured to seek recognition, how much more does a human being? This proves that validation is not just about seeking approval—it is about interaction, refinement, and understanding our place in a world where we are inevitably connected.
To celebrate solitude fully, we must acknowledge the silent presence of all who make it possible and be willing to step forward when our solitude is no longer just ours. True solitude is not isolation—it is a conscious choice, shaped by the very world we sometimes wish to withdraw from.
And in the end, even as we embrace solitude, we must recognize that we are never truly alone. We exist within a shared reality where the presence of others—whether seen or unseen—continues to shape, support, and even validate our solitude itself.
Ashram, 1-4-2025
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