# Six months alone and never lonely

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-six-month-retreat-best-friend
- Themes: solitude, self-acceptance, loneliness, retreat
- Life situations: loneliness, living alone, retreats

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Ajahn Brahm's record is six months alone, not speaking to or seeing anyone; food was left in a box, and he left his bowl back there to be filled the next day. Asked whether he felt lonely, he says never — because someone was always there: himself, and he quite likes himself. For six months he was with his best friend.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

my record was 6 months by myself not speaking or seeing anybody and it was an amazing experience because throughout that whole 6 months never seeing anybody Not a Human Being no they just leave food in a box and I know when they were coming there and afterwards I go and pick it up I put my ball back there afterwards so they fill it up the next day never spoke to anybody for six months said didn't you feel lonely and the answer was I never felt lonely and I asked myself why I didn't feel lonely and the answer was because there was always someone there me and I quite like myself so because I quite like myself where throughout those whole six months I was with my best friend how can you feel lonely when you're with your best friend all day the reason was I was my best friend

## Teaching point

When you befriend yourself, solitude is never loneliness.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Six months alone, speaking to no one, and Ajahn Brahm never felt lonely: someone was always there, and he quite liked him. Solitude isn't escape; it's where you meet yourself. Learn to be your own best friend, and the quiet moments of life stop feeling empty.

## Source

- [How To Be A Happy Hermit | Ajahn Brahm | 15-01-2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx7n5CpmWRM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 5:55 to 6:58: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx7n5CpmWRM&t=355s