The Self-Imposed Barriers to Friendship

"I feel miserable, scared and lonely most of the time. I had an expansive state years ago, but since then I’ve been isolated in suburban Washington, DC with no friends or community nearby. Everything I’ve tried – meditation, various activities – nothing works anymore. How do I get out of this? Rupert says: ‘Look who you’re surrounded by here. You’ve been to retreats at all over – you have incredible friends around the world. Why deny yourself access to them by superimposing the belief “I can’t connect on the phone”? You just cut yourself off. Who says you can’t connect? Start with WhatsApp groups – there are dozens of them from these retreat communities. You can fly anywhere for free. You’re doing this to yourself – no one else is doing it to you. You’re a lovable guy. Don’t shut yourself off. Just open yourself and people will come forward. But you have to be open.’"

From event 21 - 28 November, 2025 Seven-Day Retreat at The Vedanta, 21–28 November 2025

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