Under The Olive Tree

Isolation

“At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place.” - Luke the Physician

Sooner or later we all experience isolation in some form or another - but how many of us seek it? In our present culture, isolation has a somewhat negative connotation - that is, we would most likely associate isolation with unpleasant, restrictive, or even enforced conditions - something along the lines of solitary confinement.

Understanding the need and benefits of isolation may be easier if we use other terminology.

Instruction, concentration, meditation, contemplation, reflection, evaluation, limitation, consideration, application, information, affirmation, perception, perspective, acknowledgment, certification, being in the spotlight - all require some form of isolation, either in thought, action, or context.

If we are to excel in any area of our lives, we must isolate and then concentrate on - and learn the foundation, structure and processes involved. This is true about everything we do from learning to walk and talk to rocket science (in some cases it is rocket science). If you are going to do anything well, or if you aspire to master a subject, a vocation, a profession, a skill - you will have to set aside the time and concentration for doing so. Very few of us are born savants.

Look around you, and you will see that those who have developed their gifts and talents have done so with a concerted effort - they have embraced isolation in one form or another - and usually with some personal cost involved. It may mean the forsaking of less important activities. It usually means that you don’t run with the crowd. It often takes long hours of concentration and hard work.

And what do they receive in return? This is where the choice to isolate our thoughts and actions bears more than just the desired result - you not only learn or master what you are studying - you also gain the opportunity to be alone with your thoughts. As you master a task or process, you begin to have time to tune into the more subtle aspects of your daily life - and then you begin to view things with a new perspective - a more refined perspective - a more isolated perspective.

They say an artist is one who works with his hands, his intellect, and his heart.

This is what most meditation is about - subduing the cacophony of your surroundings - and entering into a new awareness. In today’s fast moving world - this is a challenge unless you do live in a monastery. We all need our gardens to walk in. If your garden happens to sit in the midst of confusion - a busy city, media, business and appointments, daily responsibilities, personal trials and tribulations - not to mention the problems of the world around you - then it is vastly more important that you set aside the time for isolation, reflection and devotion - it is the concentrated effort that produces the results.

In the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the word “Blessed” -”blessed are ye….”

The word blessed comes from the Greek makarios - which, according to Spiros Zodhiates means, “one who is in the world yet independent of the world; his satisfaction comes from God and not from favorable circumstances.” The only way to constantly receive this satisfaction from God is to spend time in His Temple. There is no way to access this blessed nature through another - each one individually must make that connection herself.

What we isolate in our lives becomes the core of our being, what we concentrate our thoughts and efforts on is who we are, whether for good or evil - that is why Paul admonished, ” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” - Letter to the Philippians

Jesus the Carpenter warned about the failure to get things in perspective, “Because wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.”

Find life - really live! Do more than hear, listen. Do more than talk, say something. Do more than see, use your eyes to partake of the world around you. Do more than what the shallow promises and apathy of the world are calling you to - be blessed.