“Loneliness is the inability to connect with one’s environment. It may come in the package of being alone in the desert, or it may come in the midst of a big city. From my experience, the most profound loneliness arises from a feeling of claustrophobia – from inside my bag of skin to the outside world. It becomes a palpable discomfort that pulsates through the physical body. It becomes a debilitating, prison-like experience that is difficult to escape. I would best describe it, like a rotting fruit, as the rotting of our deepest yearning (for connection) within our own bodies and minds. We usually rely on other people, certain physical environments, and other habits, to fill our void spaces and project our values. However, when these are stripped away from us, often what is left is that void, without access to an easy filler. The fear that arises from here pulsates through us and zaps the feeling of control we usually have. This is loneliness, in my experience.”