La Liberté dans Solitude / The Freedom in Solitude (poem)

Je suis seul et heureux avec elle!
Ce n'est pas un problème pour moi.
C'est la liberté que j'aimez
tres beaucoup, d'autant
plus que je ne croyais possible,
Car je suis reconnaissant à
amis, famille et quelquefois inconnus!

[Translation:English]

I am single and happy with it!
This isn't a problem for me.
It's the freedom that I enjoy
very much, especially
more than I thought possible,
because I am grateful to
friends, family and sometimes strangers!

The Secret of Peace

A questioner asked the Buddha: "I would like to know about the state of peace, the state of solitude and of quiet detachment. How does a person become calm, independent, and not wanting to grasp at anything?"

"A person does this," replied the Buddha, "by eradicating the delusion of 'I am.' By being alert and attentive, he begins to let go of cravings as they arise. But whatever he begins to accomplish, he should beware of inner pride. He must avoid thinking of himself as better than another, or worse or equal, for that is all comparison and emphasizes the self.

"The person should look for peace within and not depend on it in any other place. For when a person is quiet within, the self cannot be found. There are no waves in the depths of the ocean, it is still and unbroken. It is the same with the peaceful person. He is still, without any longing to grasp. He has let go the foundations of self and no longer builds up pride and desire."

-Sutta Nipata

Likewise, a nation should look for peace within, for it cannot come from outside its own borders. When that nation is quiet within its borders, the cult of selfishness will have been vanquished. For the depths of the ocean makes no waves. The same goes for the peaceful nation. It is still, lacking any longing to hold onto anything. It has released the root of selfishness and no longer invests in pride and desire.