LONELINESS: THE 21ST CENTURY PANDEMIC

We are born 'lonely'. When a child is born, the first instinct is to cry. This crying is not just a physical or biological reflex but also a psychological expression of distress. A newborn instinctively tries to hold onto something. If you offer your finger, the baby will grasp it tightly with its little fist. This inherent loneliness persists throughout a person's life-at three, thirteen, thirty, fifty, or eighty years old-craving something to hold on to. This is because the ego, the I-tendency we are born with, is by definition lonely.

- ACHARYA PRASHANT

According to the recent Global State of Connections report, a quarter of the world's population, around 1.92 billion, felt 'lonely' or 'very lonely'.

Research indicates that loneliness is closely linked to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, heart disease, and a shortened lifespan.

Loneliness has become a worldwide epidemic. Despite technological advancements and enhanced, instant connectivity with the world through social media, we are lonelier than ever. Loneliness is found throughout society, including among people in marriages along with other strong relationships, and those with successful careers. People experience loneliness even when surrounded by other people.

Loneliness is usually taken as an absence of companionship, leading to sadness and suffering. The prevalent belief is that this void can be filled by adding social connections. Everyday language reinforces this mindset with terms that emphasize acquisition and achievement, "Add more, gain more, accumulate, collect, socialise, network" This approach reflects a superficial, generalized perspective on loneliness, overlooking its deeper existential aspects.

We are born lonely'. When a child is born, the first instinct is to cry. This crying is not just a physical or biological reflex but also a psychological expression of distress. A newborn instinctively tries to hold onto something. If you offer your finger, the baby will grasp it tightly with its little fist. This inherent loneliness persists throughout a person's lifeat three, thirteen, thirty, fifty, or eighty years old-craving something to hold on to. This is because the ego, the I-tendency we are born with, is by definition lonely.

Ego (I) is essentially another name for incompleteness.

Its fundamental statement is, "I am lonely," and because it feels incomplete, empty, and hollow, it seeks the company of the world. Lets look into it: Our senses show us nothing but the external world.