Friends, thank you for the support, but I need to clarify: solitude in the mountains isn't a problem for me—it's a necessary condition. Sometimes I actually have to make an effort to be alone. Society by its very nature is intrusive and aggressive, even when it doesn't realize it. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
In fact, my state during a solo trek is best described by this play on words:
• In the mountains, I am not alone.
• In the mountains, I am at one.
Why Is It So Hard for Us to Be Alone?
In ordinary social interaction, we constantly seek confirmation of our thoughts and feelings. We need people with similar beliefs to feel "right." This need for approval is so strong that solitude becomes frightening—because there's no one there to validate our worth.
It's a kind of "social cement." We become the sum of what others have approved. This is our "social face," a mask for those around us. For many, this face becomes their only "self," replacing their true essence.
Space for Awareness
Being in nature—where there are no people or artificial objects—creates a vacuum. And this vacuum gets filled with something deeper. When the social noise fades away, a connection opens up to the powerful forms of your own nature.
It's these deep levels that allow you to feel true oneness: with the earth, the sun, the universe. We are all one earth, one species, one energy. But to truly feel this connection and love, sometimes you need to physically separate yourself from the crowd.
Sleepwalking
When we're part of a mass, we judge everything superficially. We divide everything:
• This is "us," and this is "them" (the others).
• This is "ours" (correct), and that is "theirs" (wrong).
We reinforce these stereotypes in daily communication, automatically and unconsciously. In our comfort zone, surrounded by similar people, we are literally sleepwalking. It seems to us that everything is fine because "that's just how it is for everyone."
Breaking free from this sleep isn't easy. There are many practices, but for me, a solo multi-day trek is the most effective way. In the unfamiliar, and sometimes harsh, environment of the mountains, your eyes open by themselves. You begin to see the world and yourself without filters.
And yes, this is exactly why I go to the mountains alone...
Continuing the Theme: Alone in the Mountains: "Aren't You Scared?"
