CONVERTING LONELINESS

FRIENDSHIP

First, let us examine the association with SUITABLE FRIENDS.

It is not difficult to see the necessity for developing CORRECT FRIENDSHIPS, for 

it is an essential part of the process of transforming PSYCHOLOGICAL BELONGING

into ACTIVE BELONGING.

We find constant reference to this subject in the DHAMMAPADA. 

THE DHAMMAPADA

Verse 61

If a person seeking a companion cannot find one who is better or equal to him, 

let him resolutely go on alone; there can be no companionship with a fool. 

There is, of course, a problem with this verse, for logically, a wise person may find 

and wish to associate with a friend who is better than himself, but how can that

friend, if he pays attention to the verse, associate with him?

The answer is that there can only be an association in which there is a clear

GIVING on the part of the wiser, and a clear willingness to RECEIVE on the part

of the less wise.

 Verse 78 

 One should not associate with bad friends, nor with the ignoble. 

 One should associate with good friends, and with those who are noble.

 Verse 328 

 If one finds a sagacious friend, who is a virtuous and steadfast companion, 

 one should live with him (or her) joyfully and mindfully, overcoming all dangers.

 Verse 329 

 If one cannot find a sagacious friend, who is a virtuous and steadfast companion,

 one should live alone like a king who has given up and left the country he has won,

 and like the elephant Matanga roaming alone in the forest.

 Verse 330

 It is better to live alone; there is no fellowship with a fool. 

 So one should live alone, do no evil, and be carefree like the elephant Matanga

 roaming alone in the forest.

But Identity resists, for we are in the midst of a social treadmill where relationships 

are almost forced upon us. So indeed, within the crowd which is filled with sorrow,

frosted over with false happiness, we feel alone when we are separated from the

collective euphoria.

The Dhammapada has marvelous qoutations that we SHOULD live by... but...

                               What does Blind Dharma advise?