Loneliness

As I read his journal, Markings, I am surprised to find that Dag Hammarskjold, who was constantly surrounded by people, often writes of his deep, inner loneliness. However, I notice that when this Swedish diplomat is sailing with friends and is invigorated by the joy of the wind and the waves, his loneliness dissipates. He describes his experience beautifully.
 
With all the powers of your body concentrated in the hand on the tiller,
All the powers of your mind concentrated on the goal beyond the horizon,
You laugh as the salt spray catches your face in the second of rest
Before a new wave –
Sharing the happy freedom of the moment with those who share your responsibility.
So – in the self-forgetfulness of concentrated attention –
the door opens for you into pure living intimacy,
A shared, timeless happiness,
Conveyed by a smile,
A wave of the hand. (96)

The simplicity and enjoyment of the unguarded, exhilarating moment opens a door “into pure living intimacy”. This is conveyed without speaking, in just a smile or a wave of the hand. In this moment of total absorption, loneliness is banished, and companionship is complete. If you are experiencing loneliness, may you find moments of self-forgetfulness where being absorbed in the present moment opens the door to “pure living intimacy” with those around you and with the One who is your constant companion.

Brian Holliday
Anam Cara for the Guiding Committee  
                                                                                                      Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels