In this series of posts, we have been commending the spiritual discipline of solitude. We have already discussed the general benefits of solitude. We now turn our attention to the spiritual benefits. There are several spiritual benefits… More Better. Solitude functions as a kind of meta practice (i.e., a practice for other practices) (Whitney, 2014). Solitude allows us … [Read more...] about Spiritual Benefits of Solitude
Solitude
General Benefits of Solitude
In a past series, we considered the spiritual disciplines in general. In this series, we're focusing on the spiritual discipline of solitude in particular. Though we are primarily considering the practice of solitude from a Christian and spiritual perspective, in this post I do want to highlight some of its general benefits. Better Finances Susan Cain (2013), in her … [Read more...] about General Benefits of Solitude
What Is Solitude
Let's start with a good definition from Donald Whitney: "Solitude is the spiritual discipline of voluntarily and temporarily withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes. The period of solitude may last only a few minutes or for days. As with silence, solitude may be sought in order to participate without interruption in other spiritual disciplines, or just to be alone with … [Read more...] about What Is Solitude
Why Solitude
In a previous series, we considered the spiritual disciplines generally. In this series, I want to take a deep dive into one discipline: Solitude. To begin the series, let's start by considering three realities that can have a profound negative impact on our spiritual lives… Constant Crowds Modern life is crowded. With smartphones and social media we are always … [Read more...] about Why Solitude
Crouch on Solitude
Andy Crouch (2017) on solitude, silence, and fasting: The central disciplines of the spiritual life, as taught by generations of Christian saints, have stayed the same for twenty centuries now: solitude, silence, and fasting. Each of these pushes us beyond our natural limits, and all of them give us spiritual resources for everyday life that we can't gain any other way.Very … [Read more...] about Crouch on Solitude