The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Wed, May 25, 2022 | 15:03
Thoughts of the Times
The meaning of solitude
Posted : 2014-11-12 17:07
Updated : 2014-11-12 17:07
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Kim Song-rhei

Human beings are predisposed to feel alienation. Why does this phenomenon happen to us?

When feeling lonely, I sometimes ask myself what is the root cause, and I make an effort to find a solution. The answer to this question is usually ambiguous in terms of philosophy, but I have realized that feeling lonely is often caused by selfish motives or a competitive spirit in human relationships.

Based on this reasoning, when I feel lonely I prefer being alone to having company and enjoy climbing a mountain. I regard the mountain as a friend in the truest sense of the word.

On what grounds do I make a mountain a true friend instead of the human beings around me?

First of all, I have realized that going up a mountain alone to divert my mind from solitude leaves me feeling better each time. That is, when I am engaged in outdoor activities I feel as comfortable as an infant nestling at its mother's breast. It also gives me time to be lost in meditation and to examine my life. It is truly valuable time in my life.

I may be way out of line, but I think human beings pine for the truth of the outside world, not the inner world. In other words, mankind doesn't have a feeling of satisfaction 100 percent with the way things are.

For what reason do we humans seek solace in places a long way away from where we live?

Philosophically speaking, human aspiration for external places has its origin in the struggle for a better life. As far as my experience goes, the struggle inevitably causes feelings of loneliness or suffering.

The level of loneliness at this time is much higher than when caused by a selfish motive or a competitive spirit.

The former case is the suffering that can be accompanied with feelings of joy, while the latter is distress accompanied by agonies of pain.

This is because a person feels somewhat isolated from the world. This phenomenon, in a strict sense, also takes place as a consequence of human desire. Namely, human ambition is inclined to exceed beyond reason compared with other living things in nature.

However, stress, I believe, can be avoided when we are engaged in esthetic contemplation of the great outdoors. Namely, if we want to immerse ourselves into esthetic meditation, we should empty our mind of its agony.

From an inductive logic point of view, esthetic contemplation enables us to feel connected with others in the natural world. In this situation we humans feel the same as the pure and beautiful things in the world.

Therefore, I believe that the best method to free oneself from feeling lonely is to immerse in deep thought and solitude, and enjoy philosophical speculation.

It may sound paradoxical, but solitude does more good than harm for one's mental health. Deep contemplation of our lives, especially when feeling lonely, helps us achieve emotional stability and gives us a chance to meet lots of pure and beautiful friends in nature.

Philosophically speaking, being fond of solitude, in the true sense of the word, is not only an act of getting rid of distracting thoughts, but also serves as an impetus to become conscious of one's deficiencies.

The writer lives in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. His email address is kwanak11@hanmail.net.

 
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival
  • Attention needed to end modern-day slavery
  • Ex-Gyeryong mayor found dead after losing nomination in local elections
  • Labor union opposes resumption of late-night subway operations
  • [INTERVIEW] How brewery waste turned into pizza dough, energy bars at RE:harvest
  • Premier League Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min receives hero's welcome home
  • Mother charged with killing disabled daughter
  • Samsung to invest 450 trillion to cement lead in chip, bio sectors
  • Gov't to ease tax burden that increased during previous administration
  • [ANALYSIS] Internet-only K bank pressed to delay IPO plan
  • 'GOT7 has not disbanded' 'GOT7 has not disbanded'
  • Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms
  • Girl group NiziU to begin 1st Japanese tour Girl group NiziU to begin 1st Japanese tour
  • Actor's short film 'Dark Yellow' nominated for Asia competition at Japan's film festival Actor's short film 'Dark Yellow' nominated for Asia competition at Japan's film festival
  • 'The Witch: Part 2' director still has more story to tell 'The Witch: Part 2' director still has more story to tell
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group