Let everyone talk to their friends about the awe of Heaven, until together we become merged in unity, love, sisterhood and friendship…we’ll all receive from one another and inspire each other in our spiritual service…—*Likutey Tefillos, prayer 34, Reb Nosson
You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. —Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)
While it’s true that Rebbe Nachman of Breslov emphasized hisbodedus, prayerful meditation, during which we reflect deeply on our lives and speak to God in solitude, he also encouraged friendship and solidarity. The Rebbe didn’t live in complete seclusion and he didn’t want us to, either.
Seclusion may take many forms. It might be