Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are independent and can do without any other human and that you are on the right path.
Whereas Solitude is a different thing where you are your own company, cogitating over things around you, your reaction to it. It is better for us, as it means being alone without feeling lonely.
Eventually it is best to be with some people around you. Have friends who will be your mirror. Remember, only in another person’s heart and eyes you can see your true self.
Calmness is the ground for solitude which you build and nurture and accepting your past. You are not driven to act with a view to achieve something in the future as you are engaged in doing things now.
Being in the present matters because you take care of yourself and meditating on your inner breathing activity actually dissociates you from the past.
Practicing solitude gives calmness and quietness, otherwise, loneliness takes you over.
Jagoran 