on being alone

On being alone

Sociologists assert that man is a social animal. To live is to relate - with co inhabitants, colleagues and the society. Some find it difficult to be alone even for a few minutes; a few others can achieve that feat for few hours. Only a 'chosen' few can live alone for days, or months together. If purpose of life is to relate to people things and animals around you, why should one be alone?
Henry David Thoreau lived alone beside the Walden Lake for two years; built his house using the wood gathered by himself. His motive was to stay away from the civilized society for some time. The result of that escapade was the literary and social classic 'Walden'. Walden criticized the futility of the monotonous city life. It questioned the values of the materialistic society. It called for a return to natural living.
In our day-to-day life we are interdependent for everything - food, clothes, love, hatred, shelter, etc. In fact somebody else makes most of our decisions. Our strings are not in our hands. And as a result our destiny is shaped by significant others - parents, spouse, friends, neighbors and even strangers. Even when we are physically alone our thoughts are clobbered with parental admonitions, criticism of significant others.
Is it possible to be alone without any of these ‘interference’? To live an authentic life reflecting our inner being, in alignment with out core values, in tune with nature. Is it possible to be at peace with oneself?