This topic was actually a matter of lengthy discussion this weekend in our monthly Carmelite community meeting . . . several of the younger members commenting on the “great pains” of sitting among other parents during their kids soccer games. An experience I know quite well.
great post!This topic was actually a matter of lengthy discussion this weekend in our monthly Carmelite community meeting . . . several of the younger members commenting on the “great pains” of sitting among other parents during their kids soccer games. An experience I know quite well.
There comes a time when the lures of the world begins to lose its meaning. This is often experienced in the form of a separation from other people with whom we now “seem” to have absolutely nothing in common. Routine conversation can become a great chore; perhaps even seeming petty, shallow and insincere. Old friendships might even be lost. We now see ourselves no longer in this world . . . but, at the same time, not yet firmly established in the next. So it might seem as if we’re being pulled in two directions . . . suspended between heaven and earth, in a manner of speaking.
What’s happening is that God, through the light of self-knowledge, is calling the soul unto Himself in greater intimacy. Silence and solitude with Him now becomes our only joy, refuge and respite. Often this is a sign, according to St. John of the Cross, the soul is being led toward a more contemplative way of life. Seperation and detachment from things of the world is a very big part of this process.
Having gone through this myself I’d simply say this: seek this silence and solitude if you feel drawn to it . . . but do your very best (as I’m sure you are) not to be judgmental toward those whom you feel the need to withdraw from for this can be a great trap. God calls each of us by our own name . . . and it never ceases to amaze me how “subtle” our judgments can be of those who don’t walk the same path we do.
You might even find there comes a time when you desire to “re-imerse” yourself into the world . . . energized and better equipped, through your silence and solitude, to meet the needs of those around you. Not where “your at” . . . but where “they’re at.”
While it might not seem it at the moment, the desire to withdraw is a great blessing if embraced with great love . . . for both God and neighbor.
Dave
I’m 23 and I feel the same way… I’m just no longer interested in small talk and conversations about TV shows, etc, I get bored… sometimes I just want to be alone and pray and read spiritual books. But sometimes I also get the temptation to judge others and that’s something that’s very important to fight.
Maybe not now but it can be
Yes I feel the same. Bad relationship are the cause of many lost souls. How many times have we not been deceived into sin by our friends, who actually are our worst enemies (besides from our own will)? Remember death, and the terrible judgment of God, and it won’t be hard to leave the world behind.
How well I can identify with that. Often times my heart goes to the Lord among the noisy crowd. While engaging in some secular conversation, a strong thirst can all of a sudden hit me hard. Then I would quietly tell God how I miss Him and how much I love Him, In this way I silently gain a moment of intimacy from within. No one around me will ever know anything about it. Yet by such recollection, I can have strength to re-engage in the sometimes necessary social conversations. What Dave said here is even better – to appreciate the beauty of our brothers’ and siststers’ love toward each other around us and give God thanks and praises.Maybe not now but it can be
A couple of comments . . .
First, “withdrawl” can take many, many forms. For example, some of the times I feel the most joyfully alone is sitting in the midst of 45,000 screaming fans at a Cardinals baseball game. Just sitting in silence, joyfully watching all that is going on around me and continually praising Him for any small act of virtue I see: a father bouncing his young son on his knee, a grandfather patiently explaining the in’s and out’s of the game to his granddaughter, a passerby picking up a piece of trash rather than stepping over it. So “withdrawl” often isn’t what it might seem.
So true. Not only we must pay close attention to our worldly duties, for me, I must also earnestly serve the Lord in his Church with my time, terasure, and talents. This is the balance between Martha and Mary. I like to be alone with the Lord as much as I can, but I also have a need to serve Him. While walking closely with Him, a fire is always burning from within, urging me to reach out .
Plenty of good advice here.
It does feel great to be able to discuss these matters. I ask myself your question a lot.I have strated feeling this too. (I am 33) I just don’t feel particularly interested in chit chats, especially with atheists. We don’t have the same concerns and I’m bored of feeling like I don’t fit in. I like this change in me but it is really challenging. How do I carry on living a ‘normal’ life feeling so separated from people? I suppose prayer is the answer. Thank God for this forum
I’ve often thought along these lines myself. I underwent a Cursillo retreat, decades ago in Korea. I’ll always remember that experience as awesome.Plenty of good advice here.
If I might add that instead of withdrawing completely, which I don’t believe God wants anyone to do, especially believers in Him, you should find a group of like minded people who are believers and work, socialise and pray with them.
I have felt like you and sometimes still do, but I found an organisation like I described above in the Knights Of Columbus. This group works for me, but for you it could be a confraternity or perhaps a third order or a Church group. The Knights gives me a place for socialising and working with a group of like minded men and it let’s me do the good works St. James tells us that we should be doing. It is not perfect and there is alot of human drama, but we are working towards perfection and making our council, our community and our Church better places and that is a powerful thing.
So don’t withdraw completely. I’m sure God has given you a gift that a religous organisation or charity could put to good use and wouldn’t that make God happier?