Comments on: A Mindful Proposal: Can You Handle 5 Minutes of Solitude?

By: Christine

Christine — Sat, 28 May 2011 15:38:29 +0000

Whilst I think it is important to have time to be still so that we can function from a centredness rather than a sense of always being on the run, I also think that it is important to have something to do as this also gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. It is all about balance in one’s life.

As we get older, we find ourselves slowing down naturally. Finding ourselves with not a lot to do can feel like a loss of meaning in one’s life – a true sense of loss. The answer is always balance which helps us act/do out of our stillness/centredness.

Personally, I find that my solitude needs to express itself. It needs to be creative and whilst there is a natural creativity in stillness which needs no acting out on my part, I find that my mental and physical state can only be maintain through a meaningful and outward expression. The difficulty in maintaing this balance is finding new ways in being creative and this can be difficult as the more used to stillness and solitude we become, the more we find that we function differently and new ways seem more and more difficult to find.

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By: Anurag Som

Anurag Som — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:55:12 +0000

"Can You Handle 5 Minutes of Solitude?"> http://bit.ly/wejE3 #mindfulmonday #coaching #leadership

By: Bill J

Bill J — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:36:47 +0000

Solitude is something that I long for. I am a Cancer surviver with many neuropathies caused by Chemo/Radiation treatment. There is not a minute of the day waking or sleeping that I am not in chronic pain that becomes acute sometimes. I have tried to tune out the pain and have just a moment
of solitude but so far I am unsuccessful. Up until
a year ago I was able to meditate when I was 4 years out of treatment. Now 5 years out my side effects are all consumming and they seem to get worst with time.

By: Carolyn S

Carolyn S — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:32:02 +0000

Dr. Goldstein, I hear what saying…I do. Personally, I find it difficult to sit idle for ANY length of time without something to do.

As a matter of fact, I can’t even be on a phone or a conference call without doing something. I have Solitaire open on my computer from the time I first sit down here in the morning until I go to bed at night. I talk on the phone or listen in on the conference calls as I play solitaire on my computer. I do turn the sound off.

If I am waiting for an appointment I will be doing something…not reading magazines, I have no patients for magazines. I have to be doing something busy. I do crossword puzzles or electronic solitaire. If I have to stay in a hotel, I panic if I don’t have something to keep me busy.

I would like to be able to sit idle…meditate, etc…but it is not something I can do. Not as an excuse, but…I am in PTSD “recovery” at this point in time…two week in right now…so my anxiety is at an extreme high and has been for many years.

Will I be able to be comfortable with idliness once I have passed through this phase of my life? I know that being okay with oneself is an important component…right?

By: drfred

drfred — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:21:29 +0000

For the last 13 years as an executive coach, I’ve put out a challenge to many of the business owners I work with. The challenge is for them to spend 5 minutes each day, for 1 week, in silence and solitude. That means no media, no cell phones, no reading,no writing, no having conversations with anyone.

In those 13 years, not one client has completed the challenge. They start to experience things that they haven’t been in touch with- tension, emotions, body sensations, restlessness, boredom, to name a few.

I’ve been meditating for almost 30 years. Last summer, I completed a 10 day silent meditation retreat with the Goenke Vipassana organization. It contributed to my overall sense of inner peace.

You may want to check out this e-book, “25 Reflections on Midlife Happiness and Beyond”- http://www.happiness-after-midlife.com/get-free-e-book.html

By: Vickie

Vickie — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:40:22 +0000

I have been doing this for many, many years. I cannot keep my balance if I don’t. It is a centering activity for me. Usually, it lasts much longer than 5 minutes. I have always been very comfortable in my solitude and enjoy it. In my home, the television is rarely on, there is little noise. My husband and I often sit in the evenings and read. The only noise is the ticking of the grandfather clock.

By: PsychCentral

PsychCentral — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:00:50 +0000

Mindfulness Blog: A Mindful Proposal: Can You Handle 5 Minutes of Solitude? http://bit.ly/39xycK

By: André P

André P — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:32:29 +0000

5 minutes?

I do more than that quite often, where I sit or more like lie on my couch lost in my thoughts. I consider solitude necessary for my wellbeing!