"The Voice in the Garden of Solitude" . . .

Solitude is the "garden" for our hearts,
which yearn for love.

It is the place where our aloneness can bear "fruit".
It is the home for our restless bodies and anxious minds.

Solitude, whether it is connected
with a physical space or not,
is essential for our spiritual lives.

It is not an easy place to be,
since we are so insecure and fearful,
that we are easily distracted by whatever
promises immediate satisfaction.

Solitude is not immediately satisfying,
because in solitude we meet our "demons",
our "addictions", our feelings of "lust and anger",
and our "immense need for recognition and approval".

But . . . if we do not run away,
we will meet there also the "One" who says . . .

"Do not be afraid. I am with you,
and I will guide you through the valley of darkness."

"Let's keep returning to our solitude" . . .

Henry Nouwen