Solitude within the Multitude

     What do you see when you look at this painting? Most would say they see a man and a woman sitting together in a room- but if you take a closer look, you will see what Edward Hopper was conveying in this scene. Hopper is one of my new favorite American Artists. I am haunted by the message he is conveying here in this piece- along with many of his other works. Here Hopper is conveying the concept of which I think we all can connect to “the Solitude within the multitude.” In this scene there is a disconnect between the man and the woman. The man is reading his paper and the woman is keying piano chords. They are in the same room, yet turned away from one another, absorbed in their own thoughts and their own worlds. This is a great example of how we all have massively valuable people around us, we are never truly alone, yet we all often feel alone- the solitude within the multitude. We often feel a disconnection toward other people and isolate ourselves from a potentially great life. This is often a silent, unconscious choice that we have a habit of making- at least that is the way it seems to go for me.



     For me this painting is a great reminder that we do not have to be a solitude within the multitude (although some alone time can be the most fabulous thing on the planet, but that is not what I am talking about here), there are a lot of great people and wonderful things around us if we just allow ourselves to open our eyes to it. When I see Hoppers work, it makes me want to connect to people again. There is a massive disconnection in the world, and I think it’s time we all make an attempt to reconnect once again- to family, friends, and strangers on the street. Just a simple smile can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Any act of kindness is never wasted.


On this subject, the following quote comes to mind:


“For every man is a golden link in the chain of my good.” -Scovell Schinn


     It conveys that we are all connected, no matter who we are or how removed we are from each other. We are all living breathing creatures who all deserve loving kindness- the neighbor across the street, the jack wagon that cut you off in traffic, even the bully who made your life a living hell in high school.


     I suggest you give it a whirl. Connect with humanity once again and be present in the moment where ever you are- and smile. We all have a lot to be thankful for.

The Soul Mate

be'shert - Yiddish for destined to be your beloved.

Anam Cara- Gaelic for soul companion.

Soul mates- One who creates a divine spark when you meet and you know that person instantly.


I have always believed that a person has may soul mates in life. Not just the romantic assortment, but people who give you a certain sense of completion when you are around them. I am quite convinced that I have many soul mates. Some life long connections such as my wonderful Mother, and some that are instantaneous- and upon your meeting your entire energy changes when they are in the room. When they are not around you- you feel like something is missing and a part of you is not quite right.

Upon re-reading one of my favorite books, Sacred Contracts by Carolin Myss, I found a passage that really struck a cord. It was a wonderful reminder and I thought I'd share. From her book, Myss quotes another author John O'Donohue. In the Buddhist tradition, they view soul mates more as Kalyana-mitra----or "noble friends". O'Donohue says your Noble Friend-

 "will not accept pretension but will gently and firmly confront you with your own blindness. No one can see life totally. As there is a blind spot in the retina of the human eye, there is also in the soul a blind side where you are not able to see. Therefore you must depend on the one you love to see for you what you cannot see for yourself."

I am greatfull to all of my soul mates for being there and seeing what I am not able to see on my own. They are wonderful teachers, an I am lucky to have them in my life.