To what extent do you need human interaction and relationships to be actualized?

[lmfao]

Take this forum here for instance. I've noticed that part of what attracts to me to this site, at least on a subconscious level, is a desire for company and human interaction. Sure, there is a lot of good information here that is useful, but I have to make sure I don't waste time browsing here with no real benefit.

Is human connection/interaction a requirement for being "actualized" and developed? And if so, to what degree? There are a range of human temperaments out there as well, so I'm sure that the answer to this question is different to everyone. Good relationships will develop you, but toxic relationships will drag you down. I'm an introvert and I'm relatively low in empathy, but I still feel the need for human connection. Am I deluding myself if I think it is necessary to have friends? My current stance is that if you have the chance, take any good relationships you can, but you are deceiving yourself if you think you NEED "meaningful" human relationships to be happy and developed.  You shouldn't fall into the trap of neurotically clinging to toxic friendships, or the trap of rejecting good relationships. 

I'm referring to the psyche of someone who is 16+ for simplicity's sake, since babies and children who don't socialize can end up with all sorts of psychological/mental problems.

Complete social isolation is considered a punishment for criminals, and I don't know in what way it could be compatible with self improvement and happiness. I imagine that being socially isolated in nature where you meditate and etc and being socially isolated in a prison cell where you are constantly neurotic are two completely different experiences. 

Perhaps human relationships act as an important crutch for lesser developed psyches when trying to self develop. If you try to crush the million things your ego clings to at once then you will likely fail the process. 

Edited April 2, 2018 by lmfao

[BobbyLowell]

Losing everything, not being able to ever interact with others. Is different from choosing to spend some time alone 

[deci belle]

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To what extent do you need human interaction and relationships to be actualized?

Reality and delusion are not different. What this means, relative to the OP, is that "actualization" isn't out there.

Your own activation of this inherent potential is all there is to it— not that anything changes— on the contrary, creation will spontaneously challenge you with perfectly scripted scenarios to prove your fledgling actualization in the everyday ordinary situations in which you are already involved.

To address lmfao's narrative (hi, lmfao)— yes absolutely, genuine relationship is all there is for us to work with (even if that means not being able to work with certain relationships). Toxic relationships are poisonous, so a little bit goes a loooong way. Don't tarry here!!

It is not necessary to have friends if there are none to have at any particular time or place. It's a fact. Authentic relationships are not all that common either, but our everyday ordinary interactions with the world at large are tremendous opportunities to prove our openness and sincerity for no reason at all. That is selfless behavior that involves no moralizing relative to societal views.

Courtesy is universal, and when we are truly alone in the world, our self-reflective identities become all the more transparent in terms of subtle self-refinement. The proof of our development comes when we meet the challenges (opportunities) that come our way as a direct result of our ongoing spiritual actualization.

Awakening to our inherent enlightening potential actually uncovers our weaknesses and shadows throughout the never-ending process of self-refinement.

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Perhaps human relationships act as an important crutch for lesser developed psyches

I believe that might refer to co-dependent relationships?

Some people spend most of their lives alone for whatever reason, while others are unable to find solitude.

The whole world itself, in terms of practicing self-refinement, is ever-ready to meet who you are at any given time and place. To be able to embrace that fact in practical terms, is inconceivably insightful. To grasp the meaning of this subtle truth is key to realizing a dynamic activation of one's innate enlightening potential over the long term, moment by moment.

 

[aurum]

@lmfao

It really depends.

Many people's life purpose will involve helping other people in some sort of fashion, so I don't imagine self-actualization means living in a cave for them.