Why Do We Feel Lonely Even When Surrounded by People? The Gita Explains Why
Nidhi | Apr 01, 2025, 11:02 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Why do we feel lonely even when surrounded by people? In this insightful exploration, the Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom on the nature of loneliness and the true meaning of connection. By diving into the Gita’s teachings, this article uncovers how true connection begins within ourselves, and how understanding our spiritual self can help overcome feelings of isolation, even in the busiest of crowds.
There are moments when we sit in a crowded room, surrounded by laughter, conversations, and the warmth of familiar faces—yet, inside, there’s a quiet emptiness. We scroll endlessly through messages, reply to notifications, and engage in small talk, but something feels missing. Why do we feel alone even when we are not physically alone? Why does connection often feel hollow?The Bhagavad Gita offers an answer that goes beyond surface-level interactions. True connection is not about proximity but resonance. It is not found in how many people surround us but in how deeply we align with ourselves and others. The ache of loneliness is not the absence of people but the absence of meaning in our connections.
"न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः | यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्या विधीयते॥"
(भगवद गीता 18.11)
True loneliness doesn’t begin from the absence of others; it starts from within, from the disconnection we feel from our own essence. Often, we are so busy looking for external validation—approval from others, likes on social media, or the feeling of being 'seen'—that we forget to connect with the one person we are never apart from: ourselves.
We’ve been conditioned to seek validation externally, but true fulfillment comes from within. The Gita teaches that connecting with your own soul, understanding your inner world, and nurturing self-awareness is the key to overcoming loneliness. Without this inner connection, even the most meaningful relationships feel empty.
"योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय | सिद्ध्यसिद्धयो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥"
(भगवद गीता 2.48)
True connection isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual. We can be surrounded by hundreds of people, but still feel alone if the connections are superficial or driven by materialistic desires. In the Gita, Krishna reminds us that the ultimate connection is between the individual soul and the universe, a relationship that transcends physical proximity.
When we connect to others with love, compassion, and authenticity—without expecting anything in return—true bonds form. But this begins with our inner peace and spiritual awareness. True connection is not about how many people we know or how often we meet them; it's about the quality of the connection we have with them and the universe at large.
"सर्वधर्मान् परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज | अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच:॥"
(भगवद गीता 18.66)
When we feel disconnected or lonely, it’s easy to forget that we are all part of a larger whole, a divine web of interconnectedness. The Gita teaches that every individual is connected to the divine, and in turn, to each other. This universal bond, however, is often clouded by our egos, our distractions, and our illusions of separateness.
Loneliness fades when we remember that we are not separate from the world, but intrinsically linked to everything around us. By understanding that our actions, thoughts, and energy impact the greater whole, we begin to feel a sense of belonging and connection that goes beyond surface-level interactions.
"नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावक: | न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुत:॥"
(भगवद गीता 2.23)
It’s easy to think we are alone when we don’t feel the presence of others, but the truth is that our souls are never alone. The Gita teaches that our souls are eternal, unchanging, and always connected to the divine, regardless of the external circumstances. Loneliness arises when we forget our eternal nature and get caught up in the fleeting illusions of this physical world.
When we tune into the deeper essence of life, we realize that there is always an inner connection—a divine thread that ties us to everything and everyone. This realization shifts our perspective from the illusion of solitude to the truth of universal oneness.
"संगं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय | सिद्ध्यसिद्धयो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥"
(भगवद गीता 2.48)
Solitude and loneliness are often confused. Solitude is a conscious choice—a time to connect with oneself, to reflect, to grow, and to nurture inner peace. Loneliness, on the other hand, is the feeling of isolation, often caused by neglecting our spiritual needs.
The Gita encourages us to embrace solitude as a means of personal growth and connection with the divine. It is in these moments of solitude that we truly find ourselves and, in turn, find a deeper connection with the world around us. When we make peace with our own company, we are no longer reliant on others to fill the void.
"परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्।"(भगवद गीता 4.8)
Many relationships are built on expectations—what can this person give me? How can they make me feel better? But real fulfillment comes from shifting our perspective from taking to giving. When we approach relationships with the intent to contribute, to support, and to uplift, we cultivate connections that are rich and meaningful.
Ironically, the more we focus on giving, the more we receive. Love, kindness, and understanding multiply when shared, dissolving the feeling of loneliness as we become part of something greater than ourselves.
Loneliness is often seen as something to fear or escape, but the Bhagavad Gita offers a different perspective. It suggests that loneliness isn’t a punishment; rather, it’s an invitation to reconnect with the most important relationship in our lives—the one we have with ourselves. True connection doesn’t depend on others; it starts from within. When we align with our inner self and recognize the divine presence in everything around us, we realize that loneliness is just an illusion.
The Gita teaches us that when we are in harmony with our soul and aware of our divine connection, loneliness no longer has a hold on us. Instead, solitude becomes a space for self-discovery, reflection, and peace. It’s in these moments that we truly understand that we are never alone; we are always part of something greater.
So, the next time you feel lonely in a crowd or even in your own company, pause and reflect. Are you connected with your inner self? When you embrace solitude and align with your true essence, you’ll find that the sense of belonging you seek doesn’t come from the outside world—it comes from within. In this realization, loneliness fades, and true fulfillment begins.
1. Loneliness Starts from Within—The Disconnection from the Self
(भगवद गीता 18.11)
Loneliness
( Image credit : Pexels )
True loneliness doesn’t begin from the absence of others; it starts from within, from the disconnection we feel from our own essence. Often, we are so busy looking for external validation—approval from others, likes on social media, or the feeling of being 'seen'—that we forget to connect with the one person we are never apart from: ourselves.
We’ve been conditioned to seek validation externally, but true fulfillment comes from within. The Gita teaches that connecting with your own soul, understanding your inner world, and nurturing self-awareness is the key to overcoming loneliness. Without this inner connection, even the most meaningful relationships feel empty.
2. True Connection Is Spiritual, Not Just Physical
(भगवद गीता 2.48)
Spirituality
( Image credit : Pexels )
True connection isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual. We can be surrounded by hundreds of people, but still feel alone if the connections are superficial or driven by materialistic desires. In the Gita, Krishna reminds us that the ultimate connection is between the individual soul and the universe, a relationship that transcends physical proximity.
When we connect to others with love, compassion, and authenticity—without expecting anything in return—true bonds form. But this begins with our inner peace and spiritual awareness. True connection is not about how many people we know or how often we meet them; it's about the quality of the connection we have with them and the universe at large.
3. We Are All Part of a Larger Whole
(भगवद गीता 18.66)
Eternal
( Image credit : Pexels )
When we feel disconnected or lonely, it’s easy to forget that we are all part of a larger whole, a divine web of interconnectedness. The Gita teaches that every individual is connected to the divine, and in turn, to each other. This universal bond, however, is often clouded by our egos, our distractions, and our illusions of separateness.
Loneliness fades when we remember that we are not separate from the world, but intrinsically linked to everything around us. By understanding that our actions, thoughts, and energy impact the greater whole, we begin to feel a sense of belonging and connection that goes beyond surface-level interactions.
4. The Illusion of Solitude—The Soul is Never Alone
(भगवद गीता 2.23)
Illusion of Mind
( Image credit : Pexels )
When we tune into the deeper essence of life, we realize that there is always an inner connection—a divine thread that ties us to everything and everyone. This realization shifts our perspective from the illusion of solitude to the truth of universal oneness.
5. Solitude vs. Loneliness—Choosing to Be with Yourself
(भगवद गीता 2.48)
Krishna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
The Gita encourages us to embrace solitude as a means of personal growth and connection with the divine. It is in these moments of solitude that we truly find ourselves and, in turn, find a deeper connection with the world around us. When we make peace with our own company, we are no longer reliant on others to fill the void.
6. True Connection Comes from Serving, Not Taking
Many relationships are built on expectations—what can this person give me? How can they make me feel better? But real fulfillment comes from shifting our perspective from taking to giving. When we approach relationships with the intent to contribute, to support, and to uplift, we cultivate connections that are rich and meaningful.
Ironically, the more we focus on giving, the more we receive. Love, kindness, and understanding multiply when shared, dissolving the feeling of loneliness as we become part of something greater than ourselves.
Finding True Connection Beyond Loneliness
The Gita teaches us that when we are in harmony with our soul and aware of our divine connection, loneliness no longer has a hold on us. Instead, solitude becomes a space for self-discovery, reflection, and peace. It’s in these moments that we truly understand that we are never alone; we are always part of something greater.
So, the next time you feel lonely in a crowd or even in your own company, pause and reflect. Are you connected with your inner self? When you embrace solitude and align with your true essence, you’ll find that the sense of belonging you seek doesn’t come from the outside world—it comes from within. In this realization, loneliness fades, and true fulfillment begins.