A Guide to Being Alone (because we are doing it wrong)

[@lillimol]

This video has arrived right on time! I have been reflecting on this topic a lot lately. I have cut off my working hours and overall reduced the amount of distractions and yet I always find it so challenging to be truly alone with myself. It's tempting to find other ways to distract myself. Afterwards, I always feel guilty. I would really like to be able to feel that void without filling it. I think it is a fundamental step on the path of spiritual awakening, personal growth and overall personal freedom.

[@moomin9319]

I can relate so much to this. Being alone with my thoughts is really hard. It fast turns dark. Always have to have music, or my phone, or be listening to some podcast or something. Very relatable even at 35 years old as a working professional. Finding comfort in a chaotic schedule can’t be sustainable, but…. as some friends have pointed out, I don’t know how to do nothing. Still trying to figure it out.

[@lillimol]

Totally relate!!

[@LewisLittle66]

this reminds me of a visit I made to Glastonbury a few years ago. I went into the Chalice Well Gardens and I just sat there alone on a stone near one of the springs, for hours, just listening to the water, thinking about my spirituality, my relationship with the Gods and with the natural world. I wasn't completely alone the whole time, occasionally someone else would walk by, say hello, or chat for a few minutes. But even with those interruptions it was still a profound and wonderful experience.

[@serpentinesecrets6771]

What others call loneliness i call peace

[@susanhunter8126]

Just what I needed to hear! My loneliness has become (I thought) unbearable but now I think it’s time to face the void, to seek it.

[@sascha2638]

Wow thank you for this video. I just moved away from my family and friends for university and since I have pretty bad anxiety I’ve been struggling to make friends. I’ve been spending the majority of my time alone and feel it’s been taking a real toll of my wellbeing. I’m going to try these exercises everyday now and hope to make better use of that time :)

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

One of my favorite quotes lately is: "If we got to suffering, we are ready when suffering comes to us." This can apply to so much, even with the feeling of loneliness. Wishing the best for you!

[@ClaireGreen-wd2gm]

Ill be interested to watch this when I get off work. Almost all my family has passed on. I am single. I have never really had friends. I may chat a bit with coworkers at work but just at work. I have a son. Hes autistic and verbal but in his sulky teen years and very hard to get him to talk to me aboy anything. To add to it my best cat friend died 10 days ago and thats going to hurt for a long time. I do better at being alone than many people do but I am pretty depressed.

[@asahemenway2926]

I absolutely needed to see this today... thank you so much for what you do! Cheers from Maine.

[@GregRobbins-t1i]

Amen. Fantastic vid my friend. Loved every minute of it.

[@MasterPoucksBestMan]

It's an interesting dichotomy especially for an animist. Feeling alone when we are never truly alone. It can help a person to confront a subconscious belief that there aren't really spirits everywhere, or to confront the difference that few people can escape that being surrounded by other than human persons is not the same as being surrounded by human persons.

[@Innes771]

Coming back to your videos I just want to say congrats on your weight loss. Many spiritual seekers and teachers will often neglect the body, but I think it is a testament to your words that you have visibly brought yourself under control. Inspiring and good to see.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

💪 Down 50 pounds from my worst. Thanks for noticing. Spirituality through the body has helped me a lot

[@ramonbennett8416]

Nice job starting the conversation, about just being alone with yourself.

[@teresa6775]

Yeah, I don't get it. I'm alone ALOT, but I've never been 'lonely'. Guess I'm just ok by myself.

[@OnkelMatzeLPs]

Good work. I go 2 times the year for few days into the woods fasting. This spring I fast 7 days. I spent as much time a possible alone in the wood. Not really easy with wife and children. After the autumn equinox I wanna try 9 days. In Germany it's called heilfasten. Being alone, meditate and fasting works for me like a boost in motivation and against depression. But caution, time with yourself can rise some really dark thoughts. Greetings Matze

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

I sometimes beat myself up about past mistakes, when I am alone for too long.

[@TheHipsterOfOdin]

If I honest this past month I have done this exact challenge, it may of been very different from how you described. However from the sacrifices of my old self to become vulnerable and to grow stronger through that vulnerability was what I learned the most. So when I watch this video I see my reflection here and smile.

[@jaimeriboni385]

Sometimes I get migraines so I have to stay off the devices to help with one kind of pain. Memories, thoughts of woulda shoulda coulda feelings come then starts emotional pain. Then panick attacks happen for me 😢 I don’t wanna take bad meds (pharmaceuticals) either. So I just breathe through it all. Thank you for this video and tips on how to embrace the void. ❤.

[@lyryalcifelli3182]

I spent decades avoiding migraine meds (bc Christian Science upbringing). Now that I actually have a med for my migraines that can fully relieve the migraine within two hours, I have to say that I wouldn't choose to go back to the three days of suffering. Not all meds are evil.

[@FindingYourSerenity]

How can you work with one though? I'd have been fired by now without meds.

[@DorestadPagan343]

This is truth my brother. Thank you for posting this. When ever youre in Holland again, let me know! Greetings from Dorestad, Wijk bij Duurstede.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Hope to make it back soon!

[@caramelapplejollyrancher]

genuinely fascinating 🧡 thank you

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

“Humans are a social creature”

[@southmountaincustoms5306]

Great video !

[@soystefanie]

One of my favourite videos!

[@JariDawnchild]

I'm so glad you posted this. I had been doing this for years, but for whatever reason I'll probably learn fell out of practice with it over the last few years and it hasn't crossed my mind all that much since. Ty so vm for this reminder. ❤❤❤

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Even I need to remind myself now that I have completed the vision quest! Felt like I was losing the magic the moment I got back into "society"

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

What is that orange thing sticking out of your very German looking hat?

[@LairMistress]

Hi from Seattle! During the pandemic/lockdown period, I kind of felt like a nun in a cloister. I got in the habit of leaving the door to my floor's hallway open much of the time, in order to feel less isolated by watching and listening to my neighbors passing by. I've always enjoyed solitude; but during that period, it got old pretty quickly... :)

[@wren1019]

back in the early 2000's my mother used to say that with all this new technology we are, more and more, connecting without contact. she thought that sad.

[@ianofthetaylors6288]

Alone doesn't have to be lonely. Perception is everything.

[@brianbown7332]

Good take on things thanks.

[@AllFather32]

I appreciate the insight into the Void - seriously, I've recently come to that place where I've realized I've distracted myself from spiritual growth with activities that aren't necessarily bad but consuming. It'll be hard to be alone with 6 cats running around and wanting attention but I'm going to do my best to witness the void and see what it has inspired. Thank you again.

[@ognenni]

Спасибо! Я решила, что каждый день буду посвящать какое-то время одиночеству.

[@PariahPsypomp6775]

Lovely video, Jacob! I accept your challenge! Ngl I miss the void and could really use it

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

I wish you all the best in your dive into the void 🙏

[@BenStocks1999]

It's veryinspiringg to see how much you've achieved over the years, like many others i was one kf the people whocfelt called to the gods and was called to your videos which ive watched so much this past year. Thank you so much for everything you've done and continue to do, i have absolutely discovered more to myself and learned so much. My anxiety was a pain in the ass, and one day, a long story short, loki and thor called to me, i discovered your channel and my life completely changed... just wow, its hard being a Norse Pagan, i dont know anybody near me who worship the gods so far its been my own personal journey, its lonely but its helped me kearn more about myself. I cant thank you enough. And i hope to get to a gathering and meet others some day 🌿🌳

[@lyryalcifelli3182]

As an introvert... when everyone appeared to be losing their minds over lockdown my personal habits were entirely unchanged. (Peopling can be exhausting. Peaceful, quiet alone time is for recharging.) And my Ancestors are always around, and have opinions, so I'm never really alone. Having said all of that, if there's something (spiritual) to which I need to attend then I can fast until after lunch and get pulled out of my body. If there's not then I can fast for three days and simply be hangry. It's definitely possible this is related to major energy shifts from passing more Reiki attunements than I can count. (Definitely has long term energy effects.)

[@feralfoods]

this is an exceptional video with totally deep and true insights. i would love to do a vision quest type thing, but i am bipolar and have extreme difficulty with boredom. i applaud your success, and appreciate you sharing with us your experience. i'm going to send this video to my therapist who may also gain some insight for future reference. -thank you, and peace!

[@American_Heathen]

When I would be alone in the army I would always work on music lyrics. There is enough going on in my brain to keep me busy. It’s just when the voices stop talking to me

[@Wren69]

Great video Jacob. I've just finished reading Lost Connections by Johann Hari. A must read for anyone who has experienced anxiety and depression ❤

[@shamrock_airsoft]

Were you in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the video? The Newport and bridge look familiar.

[@Vss7788]

I have "Died" twice in my life, both times were for a split second/a few minutes. Both times all I felt was amazing. No form, thought, connection to the body I had left, but there was a guiding spirit there taking me UP and into a "waiting place" when I was brought back I was told to get into THAT body, and was explained (telepathically somehow) my entire life in seconds while I hovered over myself and forced back in. That's when I felt pain again. Death is lack of pain, feeling, thoughts nothing to be scared of. Our society scares us. I never saw Jesus or white gates or hell, none of that. People hate hearing that, but that was my experience.

[@linnie-ei2gl]

Interesting, thank you. It's curious, given the chance, I spend most of my time alone. When we were in lockdown I was happy (other than being aware of how covid was hitting soooo many people). I could spend time just pottering.. I wanted to learn about more herbs, and grow more Medic plants, and create my own Medicine, partly to ease the fear of hospital short-comings and partly because I've always wanted to be a healer. In truth, I did watch some youtube herbal lessons online in the early days, but once I was armed with knowledge I preferred being out in the forest we'd planted, and weeding the Medic garden, and propagating more plants. I guess I wasn't truly facing 'the void', initially, but instead was observing Nature, every minute, and contemplating my place in that. I did eventually bounce my own questions off Nature, though, treating Nature as a companion, and I did follow the rabbit holes, and I did gain valuable insights.. To this day I'm still researching more plants, still seed saving and growing more, creating Nature to me Medicine.. I almost resented 'having' to go out to previously joyful activities.. Choir, mahjong, basketry group, the art gallery, landcare.. I was so comfortable with mySelf that these others were almost an imposition.. and I LOVE these social activities.. they're my 'people' and my happy place.. but after just living with and being in Nature became Being Nature I am content with my own company.. and I'm still passionate about healing, and making plant medicine has become such a thing that friends now view me as that.. Every new insight is ongoing Self-growth. 🙏

[@zeph6439]

When we walk with the Goddess, we realise we are never alone :)

[@mountaintruth1deeds533]

Fresh out of goddesses and irrelevant anyhow.🗿

[@zeph6439]

@@mountaintruth1deeds533 Nice to meet your acquaintance!

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

I have anxiety, but not depression

[@paganoutdoors3193]

I'm going to try this ,in the woods of Nottinghamshire uk, I need to turn my shit around, and this sounds like a plan, I'll let you know how it goes, good health and safe travels, cheers craig

[@Ancientpuppet]

We have gone from boring hard working lives to hyper stimulated by everything around us. Humans are not supposed to have all their senses stimulated with such minimal effort. I believe in many ways the reason our grandparents were less depressed was because their existence was more boring

[@DesertNebula]

2020 was my conspiracy brain going wild 😅 It revealed how people actually are. So many claim to be working on themselves etc. Take away something and some went haywire. Kinda like people saying the gym helped their anxiety, but now no gym, that dependence got to them? I still went hiking and did my activities. I love my void self. Just like hermetics, void is self.

[@Aethuviel]

I wonder how anyone could practice this if they have family. I don't have children, but I have a husband and I definitely can't just "leave" and be alone without distractions.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Communicate your needs. If this is something you'd like to try, start the conversation. If you and your partner communicate openly, you should be able to find a way to get you 12 hours alone in nature if it's something you would benefit from.

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

I hated The Lockdown, Jacob

[@tracySotto]

This sounds very similar to Uti-seta

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

What about writing in my journal during this alone time? I think it would be a good thing, but i can also see how it would be a distraction. It seems like i should record my thoughts and feelings.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

On my vision quest I had my physical journal with me. I think this is a good thing. It's hard to spend more than an hour journaling lol

[@lesliewells-ig5dl]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin I have a physical journal too. Thanks!!

[@claystephenson9742]

Wasn’t there a philosopher like Plato said not to look into the void to long for it can turn into insanity?

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Moderation is the key to everything. But I am not sure we are talking about the same void lol

[@crushinnihilism]

I believe you're hinting at Neitzche

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

24 hours?

[@danielbergersen7836]

Skøl💀🍻

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Starvation?

[@littletree343]

Money is the purest form of evil

[@katet_33]

You must be not have much money with that mindset. There is nothing evil about money, the greed and selfishness of SOME people with money is the problem.

[@littletree343]

@@katet_33 greed is intertwined with it. Money often turns good people into agents of evil. It’s the dream of having everything you want right then and there. All I want is freedom from it, to grow and hunt my own food, to love my family and my Gods. Money stops me from even leaving the city that I’m trapped in. It’s draining my soul from me

[@lyryalcifelli3182]

The correct quote is, "Love of money is the root of all evil." Money is simply a tool which is used as a means of exchange - in and of themselves... tools are simply meant to be applied correctly.

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

I got bored

[@Dire-Wolf-HV]

I don’t think there is such thing as “too much porn”. But lots of Uber eats can kill ya.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Moderation is the key to everything