loneliness

"loneliness is in the heart," might be a fitting theme for soseki's kokoro. loneliness is not a physical state, it is a mental and emotional one.

one can be loneliness, despite being surrounded by loved ones, if one cannot take refuge in oneself.

loneliness does not describe a relationship with others. it describes a rift in your relationship with yourself. it stems from an inability to find comfort in the state of being yourself.

this discontentment leads people to seek refuge in others, but this is just a temporary cure. the true cause is an inability to take refuge in yourself.

one who takes refuge in oneself will never be lonely, regardless of if they are surrounded by no friends or a thousand.

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so, how do we learn to love ourselves? that is a question which most struggle to answer throughout their entire lives.

the truth is, that we have always loved ourselves. every moment of our lives, we have completely, unconditionally, loved ourselves with every fiber of our being. not a single moment have we not, and never will we cease to do so. there is nothing special to learn or do. all we have to do is to open our hearts, and receive this love instead of turning it away.