Where does the feeling of loneliness come from?

Where does the feeling of a deep sense of loneliness come from?

People who cannot connect themselves with the outside world in terms of space and time, who do not understand cause and effect, and causes and conditions, will feel lonely.

When I was in solitary retreat, I knew that I was together with all sentient beings in innumerable worlds. Even though I seemed to be alone in a small, enclosed room, actually I was in the company of many ants who found their way inside, and insects outside of the hut created all kinds of sounds in the evening. More...

Chan and Anxieties in Modern Life:

All is Well, as You Like it.
Modern communication being so rapid causes people much anxiety and nightmares; they cannot feel relaxed as long as there is social disorder throughout the world. This is true whether one experiences this directly or indirectly, whether it concerns the self, family, society, country, political/economic life, or religious belief. As long as the situation affects one’s personal safety or peril, gain or loss, success or failure, people cannot sit back and relax. More...

Emotion Turmoil

We are vexed most by the enemy within – our own minds. Our thoughts, feelings, attitudes and perceptions change constantly. We can move from arrogance to regret, from joy to sorrow, from hate to love, in a matter of seconds. As time passes, our point of view changes, so that we look at something old in an entirely new way. But when we are caught in turmoil of thought and feeling, we feel conflicted and powerless to make decisions. We worry about gain or loss, right or wrong. So much indecision throws us into a tumultuous, vexed state of mind. And though everyone suffers in this way, many people insist that they have no problems. Some even throw tantrums and work themselves into frenzies in their attempts to prove to you that their troubles have nothing to do with them. More.

Eliminating Attachment to Emotions and Desires

Chen: Since we all have worldly emotions and desires, and our attachment of them is the source of our suffering, how can the Dharma help us eliminate this attachment?

Isolate Ourselves from These Emotions and Desires?

M.S.Y. : One way to be free of attachments is to isolate ourselves from these emotions and desires; to give them up all at once. When encountering emotions and desires, we brace ourselves to keep away them. But this is like pulling up weeds by their roots, and that is actually not easy. Moreover, rigorous practice in solitude may not eliminate all emotions and desires. Though physically away from the environment of the five senses, we may still be attached to our own body and to what goes on in the mind. There’s still conflict and contradiction whining which are no easily eradicated. However, isolation or renunciation – leaving home and practicing the Way – can still serve as a method. More...

Eliminating Anxiety and Fear

Chen: Human suffer from two major psychological impediments: fear and anxiety. When caught up in fear and anxiety, people are often unable to make the right decision. Either they are indecisive, overly cautious, and lacking in resolution, or they are rash and impatient, often making hasty decisions. How can we eliminate anxiety and fear, and stay calm and unruffled? Let us ask Master Sheng Yen for guidance.

M.S.Y. In fact, human suffer from many psychological afflictions, not just fear and anxiety. We are apt to lose our emotional balance; we tend to feel insecure and at a loss, not knowing which way to turn, how to face the future or the present. Fear and anxiety emerge because we lack self-confidence, or we can say it’s because we aren’t clear about our current or future situation. They are related: a person lacks self-confidence because he doesn’t understand his social role, his standpoint, and his abilities. He don’t know what will happen in the future. People first begin to feel insecure when they are children. And it’s not just humans; animals also want security. More...