Loneliness is detrimental to both mental and physical health. It refers to a universal human emotion, both unique and complex to every person. For example, a child who is lonely in school and struggles to make a friend has a different need from an older lonely adult who has recently lost a spouse. There is no single cause of loneliness, and its treatment and prevention can potentially damage the person’s state of mind to a large extent.
Teal Swan – Getting over the feelings of loneliness
Teal Swan is a popular spiritual teacher, best-selling author, and social media star. She has her own YouTube channel with more than 20 million views and a quarter-million subscribers. In her book, “The Anatomy of Loneliness: How to Find Your Way Back To Connection,” she offers an extensive exploration and comprehension of loneliness. She embraces her extraordinary technique for healing, The Connection Process, to help people overcome the feeling of loneliness to get back to connection again.
According to her, loneliness in society has reached endemic proportions. This can be seen in the increasing number of suicide rates and rising cases of mental illness. It is very important for people who are lonely to find their way back to connectedness. Loneliness refers to a deep feeling of isolation or separation. It does not have to be the same as the physical state of staying alone.
Her book is intended for those who suffer from the pangs of loneliness, the kind that cannot be resolved by just being around people. This loneliness is fueled by a lack of personal self-esteem, grief, addiction, loss, insecurity, trauma, or addiction. Their feelings of loneliness are deeply embedded as a pattern in them, and this is painful and negative at the same time.
Identify the three pillars of loneliness
In her book, she helps readers to identify the three qualities or the pillars of loneliness, shame, fear, and separation. From here, she goes on to share her unique technique, The Connection Process, which is a sort of inner journey that involves two people – the receiver and the term she uses in the book – journeyer. With the help of exercises, each of these people experiences walls or blockages as they move in the process. Both people face their individual fears, and from here, they are able to reach a place where they feel acceptance and unconditional love.
Teal Swan emphasizes that one should always understand the key differences between loneliness and solitude. The latter does not mean being lonely; that is detrimental to both physical and mental health. Solitude is a voluntary state of mind where one needs the space to recharge and focus. Those people who like to stay on their own also enjoy positive social interactions. In short, they spend time with people; however, they balance this time with alone time.
On the other hand, loneliness is represented by the feeling of isolation, despite the want for social connection. It is seen as a separation, the abandonment of other people, or rejection that is involuntary and not wanted by the person in general.
