Contradiction #8

Other people are not a source of peace or happiness;

but something deeper –

an experience of ourselves.

And yet,

without other people,

we may not experience peace or happiness.

~ย Kelly Hartland

15 thoughts on “Contradiction #8

    • Yes! Which is why I’m a little confused about the concept of seclusion leading to enlightenment and peace. I just don’t see how it could lead to anything of real depth – although I can see how it would be a tempting concept. Especially as people, just by being around them, reveal me to myself – and it’s, at times, uncomfortable.

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      • With the internet, many people are very secluded but they think that they are not because it appears to be contact with others, however, as a pack animal: we are tactile; and no amount of cyber life will replace real life people in our lives.

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  1. Very nice poem, Kelly, thank you for sharing. Many blessings and much love to you. ๐Ÿ™‚

    The light shines
    from inside your heart,
    but sometimes other people
    could make it dimmer
    or brighter.

    Subhan Zein

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  2. This is sooo true. Which is why I long to actually meet other bloggers on the blogosphere. I wonder how these electronic relationships to others are changing us and if our experience of peace and happiness is somehow “fraudulent” if our relationships are only electronic.

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  3. Yeah, I wonder…

    Well, I suppose people can, and still do, rub us up the wrong way via these electronic relationships; so that can bring an opportunity to reflect within – ‘why does this bother me?’
    But it’s very difficult to ‘see’ and ‘hear’ how we effect each other. We receive a polished version of one another on here.
    … hmm, Genie (commented previously on this post) touched on the idea that this medium is still isolation – even though it doesn’t feel like it, saying that we are pack animals and tactile creatures.
    I agree.

    But, the thought that our experience of peace and happiness being ‘fraudulent’ via this type of relationship – it’s a very good question mobius. We shall have to study ourselves to determine the answer to this question I think.

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  4. Fraudulent implies the intention to deceive,
    I am not certain that it applies to many who are attempting to look within themselves by communicating with ‘like minded’ people !
    Isn’t it great to just start off the debate, even if only with yourself ?

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    • Always! I spend a little too much time debating with myself – but I love it! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Fraudulent does imply intention to deceive; it can also imply that the result can be an imitation/fake.
      But I think I hear what you’re saying; in regards to ‘the’ intention.

      Keep debating I say! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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