How do you imagine it would feel like, to be a god?

According to most religious, or mythological ideologies, gods are typically thought of as incredibly powerful, potentially omniscient, probably possessing some,  supernaturally potent ability, and, depending on the religious, or mythological group, having the best moral compass possible, and caring, without limits, about human beings, or, being of the opposite disposition, and considering human beings playthings, and the brunt of a cruel gods cosmic joke.

Most iterations of gods, or godly deities have a curious commonality.

They are very much alone.

Allow me to immediately address some counter arguments to this.

“But in Greek Mythology there was Olympus, and Zeus and other gods lived on the mountain and they had each other!”

“When he was on earth, Jesus had his prophets, so he definitely wasn’t alone at that time!”

“Buddha was human, and he spent time with regular people and his devotees!”

“It’s the same with Norse mythology!  Odin and other deities were together in Valhalla!”

Pick a religion, or mythology, and you may certainly argue that these “gods” had acquaintances.  I would say that part of the argument is valid.

What I am suggesting is that these connections within their mythological or religious constructs do not negate the loneliness quotient.

Firstly, to say that Jesus having prophets on Earth, meant that he wasn’t still alone, is rather preposterous.  There are numerous portions of biblical scripture highlighting the degrees of loneliness that he felt.  In addition, the prophets that surrounded him, didn’t see him as a man, and thus did not regard him in that way, they saw him as a god.  Additionally, if we look at this appearance on Earth, as a supposed manifestation of God on the planet, it is woefully inconsistent with the biblically stated length of the Christian gods existence, which is considered eternal. If this scope of contact with humans is actually considered, it is an infinitesimally small, black, fleck on an island of sandy loneliness.  Therefore, this gods actual contact time with humans, is remarkably brief.

The Greek and Norse mythology arguments are easy to counter.  While these deities seem to have been accompanied, they are, very simply, not accompanied by humans.  Therefore when we think about what it means to be a god, we associate godliness with isolation, and distance from people on earth.

As for Buddha, that’s a bit trickier.  And while the man may not have considered himself a god,  the apotheosis of this man has raised the ideas and teaching beyond what is reasonably attainable and comprehensible from a human level.  The spiritual exaltation of Buddha, the man-appointed deity, and many of the ideals espoused by Buddha,  are certainly at a great distance from everyday man. Hence, I consider Buddha a god, and thereby, lonely in his detachment from human beings.

There are many other examples of isolationist tendencies of deities, but at this point I shall leave that to your own discovery.

Aloneness is a common factor among gods, yet, this doesn’t seem to be a concern to them. But when people feel alone they tend to feel uncomfortable, distant, confused, and sometimes, afraid.

But, this may not always be a rational reaction to being alone.

Take, for example, an incredible athlete.  Please feel free to think upon your own athletic idol.  I will select, Usain Bolt.  This human being is so incredibly fast, that even during short, one hundred meter races, he can maintain his stride, turn to look at other sprinters, note the gap between him and his next closest competitor, do so casually, and win his race.   He is able to run without appearing like he is exerting any effort, while he is eclipsing the best athletes in the world.

Perhaps, it is easier to think about someone with incredible intelligence.  Take a world renowned mathematician, or scientist, for example.  These individuals might explain the intricacies of a geometric anomaly, calculate complex algorithms for space travel, or be able to comprehensively describe the specifics of a gene splicing, though, to the common man, these are things that cannot be easily understood.

Consider those that are capable of ingenuity and industriousness.  Think about the people who are able to create new items, that become integral pieces of our everyday lives.  Perhaps that person is Steve Jobs, and as you are reading this on your iphone, you pause, to consider how impactful his ingenuity has affected your life.  Or, think about the other part of the iphone, the one that needed the technology and industriousness to function.  Think about the person, Martin Cooper to be exact, who invented the cellular phone.  These are remarkable individuals, who, in their pursuit of invention and improvement, elevated themselves above normal human beings.

Looking at it from an artistic standpoint. There is an artist that spray-paints, graffitis, and generates beauty, while simultaneously triggering the thought processes of the masses.  Banksy is a highly respected artist, yet, this creative phantom, is, at this point, unidentified. While many seek to determine who this artist actually is, and many more try to emulate the expressions, Banksy maintains anonymity, and aloneness.

Ultimately, at a point where the achievements, innovations, emotions, creativity, prowess, or ingenuity rise to a certain level, many people are left feeling, alone. At this point of cognition, these intellectually gifted individuals understand so much of the internal, intelligence driven world, but fail to understand their distance from their fellow man, and are thus socially inept, and typically, perpetually anxious about interpersonal engagements. But, this feeling is not limited to those who have elevated IQ’s, a heightened sense of creativity, or a curiously tweaked spark of ingenuity.

All human beings can feel, very, very, alone.

Many of us see this as a source of anxiousness, weakness, incompatibility, incongruity,  insecurity, uncomfortably, sadness, depression, disappointment, introspection, and a general apprehension towards other people.

But when we recognize, that when we feel lonely, we may be feeling isolated in the manner that those with superhuman talents may also feel, that those with deity-like powers may also sense, that in our desperate solitude, we might be godlike, there is a possibility that we might find solace in our isolation.

When we feel lonely, we may truly be experiencing the feelings that we are……

Alone as a God.

Humbly yours,

J