Why do saints live away from crowded places?

  • Thread starter avito009
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of saints and how they are perceived to have conquered their emotional needs. However, it is argued that this line of thinking is not entirely accurate as everyone has the potential to become a saint, regardless of living in isolation or not. The idea of living a good life and loving others is emphasized, as well as the importance of being among the community. The conversation also touches on the role of saints in different religions, such as the Bodhisattva in Buddhism who choose to stay with humans to relieve their suffering.
  • #1
avito009
184
4
we all have emotional needs even saints have them. But saints go to forests or hilly areas difficult to get to because they have conquered their emotional needs. Is this line of thinking correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
No. It's utter nonsense. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, for example, lived in...well, Calcutta.
 
  • #3
It is true that many well known saints live /lived in isolation either in nature or in convents.
But everyone is called to be a saint. "Saint" means being close to God. There are hundreds of common people who reached sainthood but may not be officially known and celebrated by the Church.

Everyone who lives a good life, perhaps suffering, and loving with his whole heart is /can become a Saint in the Catholic sense.
There are many ways how to reach this state. Living alone and mediating is only one of them.

Popes of the 20th century, esp John Paul II and then his successors started to stress the call of laity to become saints in their families and communities.
There are documents and articles in the catechism that deal with this, but I don't know them by heart right now. Can find them though, if you're interested.

As far as Christianity is concerned, there's a need to love and help the community. Remember the 2 most important laws?
Love God
Love your neighbour as yourself
Both are needed and complement each other. So theoretically, you need to be among the people in order to cultivate love
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes Pepper Mint
  • #4
avito009 said:
we all have emotional needs even saints have them. But saints go to forests or hilly areas difficult to get to because they have conquered their emotional needs. Is this line of thinking correct?
I think that is just one tiny part of one of a plethora of mythical accounts about saints or gods/goddesses. I love all mythical stories about them. There are, for example, Bodhisattva in Buddhism refuse to reach Buddhahood - the final goal in the enlightenment path - only because they want to stay around with humans to relieve their sufferings and to enlighten them.
 
  • Like
Likes Sophia
  • #5
This gets into religion, closed.
 
  • Like
Likes Pepper Mint and Fervent Freyja

1. Why do saints choose to live away from crowded places?

Saints often choose to live away from crowded places because it allows them to focus on their spiritual practices and connect with God without distractions. They believe that living in solitude helps them strengthen their spiritual connection and deepen their understanding of their faith.

2. Is there a specific reason why saints avoid crowded places?

There is no one specific reason why saints live away from crowded places. Some may do so for personal reasons, while others may believe it is necessary for their spiritual growth. Additionally, some saints may feel a calling to live a simple and humble life, away from the chaos of crowded areas.

3. Do saints completely isolate themselves from society by living away from crowded places?

No, saints do not completely isolate themselves from society. They may still interact with others, but they may choose to limit their interactions and prioritize their spiritual practices. Some saints may even use their seclusion as a way to teach and guide others on their spiritual journey.

4. How does living away from crowded places align with the teachings of various religions?

Living away from crowded places aligns with the teachings of various religions as it promotes simplicity, detachment from material possessions, and a focus on spiritual growth. Many religions have teachings on solitude and the benefits it can bring to one's spiritual life.

5. Can anyone live away from crowded places and become a saint?

Living away from crowded places is not a prerequisite for becoming a saint. While some saints have chosen to live in solitude, others have lived among society and still achieved sainthood through their actions and devotion to their faith. Ultimately, becoming a saint is a deeply personal and spiritual journey that may look different for each individual.

Similar threads

Tech's "Magic Hat" Project: Detecting Emotion via EEG
    • General Discussion
Replies
4
Views
1K
How do our brains process information differently depending on the task at hand?
    • General Discussion
Replies
5
Views
843
I've been feeling lost as of late.
    • General Discussion
Replies
6
Views
875
Can I save anything in my greenhouse from frost damage?
    • General Discussion
Replies
6
Views
547
Seeking psychological help: Tricks to deal with being really envious?
    • General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
718
Opinion on Effective Shoplifting Prevention Strategies
    • General Discussion
Replies
14
Views
573
News Can non-conferring wisdom of xpert crowds beat AlphaGo?
    • General Discussion
Replies
10
Views
1K
Getting Ignored is Worst Type of Rejection
    • General Discussion
Replies
17
Views
2K
Would You Kill Lizards Hanging Around Your House & Pooping?
    • General Discussion
2
Replies
66
Views
3K
Exploring Mental Blocks in Mathematics: A Personal Perspective
    • General Discussion
Replies
5
Views
940

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top