Question: Loneliness is a very pressing issue. England even has a Loneliness Minister. But Hemingway’s perspective is different. “Hemingway reflected on loneliness in his Nobel Prize acceptance letter, saying, ‘Writing, at its best, is a lonely life… He grows in public stature as he sheds his loneliness and often his work deteriorates. For he does his work alone…'”

Why do people value loneliness so much? Some suffer from it and do not want to be alone, while others cherish it. What is it about loneliness?

Answer: In loneliness, there is the sense that you owe nothing to anyone. And generally you feel satisfied with that.

Comment: You have often said that you could just sit alone in a room.

My Response: Yes, it depends on one’s character.

Comment: But you were still compelled not to be alone.

My Response: Well, what can you do?

Question: Is that a burden?

Answer: I think it is a burden.

Question: And how did you accept it?

Answer: I was forced to do it.

Question: Can you describe how you felt that call? You could have just stayed, written books—you seemed to have planned that.

Answer: No, people came—some, then others. Gradually, I was compelled. What can you do? If not for this higher obligation, I would not have done it.

Question: Can you say what you would have done if you had not been compelled?

Answer: I would have written books, maybe occasionally given lectures, and then I would go back to my place.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 10/28/24

Related Material:
Is Loneliness a Gift from the Creator?
We Are All Lonely Whales
Loneliness Is Unhealthy

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