Effects of isolation on the mind

[Javier]

Newbie question: Why some people by being isolated especially to social interaction become kind of insane in a negative way and others become enlightened? Like monks that go to caves. 

[deci belle]

Do you know of anyone who lives in a cave, Javier? I don't. In the past, this has been done at specific stages of one's spiritual development s part of a community effort, but that has pretty much died out in the present.

Nothing is gained by such activity in and of itself, per se. Clarifying mind in the midst of affairs is how one expresses enlightening activity.

One must have an authentic foothold in everyday ordinary situations, the "marketplace" as it were, to practice self-refinement effectively.

Certainly, it is advantageous to seek solitude for a time— but not habitually, or as an escape to compensate for an inability to cope with conventional social activity.

In the midst of situations is where the most effective and rapid developmental evolution can occur because there is a natural mixture of yin and yang.

In the solitude of the mountains, or "in a cave", there is only isolated yin— so there is nothing to work with.

This will not do.

Asceticism has been proven as an ineffective path in helping people to achieve the world-honored result over millennia.

This is the most galvanizing and practical realization the buddhas, saints and prior illuminates have learned and have openly passed on to us.

"Private" practice has no basis in reality. If one's "practice" can only be done in private— it is not worthy of the name.

Good question, Javier❤︎!!

[Prabhaker]

6 hours ago, Javier said:

Why some people by being isolated especially to social interaction become kind of insane in a negative way and others become enlightened?

Those who become enlightened, encounter insanity during their spiritual journey but they face it and try to increase awareness.

Edited April 5, 2018 by Prabhaker

[Frylock]

Isolation gives you time to reflect, contemplate, slow down, and look at life objectively without being caught in the whirlwind of social games. This is why it can be helpful for self-development, so long as you have some basic level understanding of awareness and introspection.