Introversion

by Gregg Prescott, M.S.
Editor, BodyMindSoulSpirit

According to recent statistics, approximately 75% of the world’s population are extroverts but within the spiritual genre, the numbers are reversed, so why are spiritual people generally introverts?

Society tends to mislabel introverts as being antisocial or reclusive, but this isn’t true. As introverts, we tend to speak with like-minded people versus anyone or everyone. Sometimes, we choose not to speak at all. That doesn’t mean we are not interested in what is being said… it means that we would much rather listen than talk.

According to Betty W. Phillips, Ph.D., Psychology, “…introverts have been found to constitute 60% of highly gifted individuals. Einstein was an extreme introvert. In fact, in elementary school he was so quiet and withdrawn that he was actually thought to be ‘dull-witted.’ ”

Often, an extrovert will ask an introvert, “You’re so quiet, what’s wrong with you?” There’s nothing wrong with us! It is difficult for the introvert to understand why everyone isn’t like he or she.

One of the most famous introverts was Gandhi. I seriously doubt if anyone asked him, “What’s wrong with you?” Despite his introvertedness, he was socially available for interviews and public appearances.

The extrovert tends to be more interested in his or her environment and in socializing with other people while the introvert is more interested in his or her thoughts and feelings. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the introvert cannot have extroverted tendencies or vice-versa. It simply means that there are general tendencies that seem to be consistent with both the introvert and the extrovert.

If given the choice, the introvert will prefer to work alone or in small groups than with a large group of people. The ideal profession for the introvert does not involve being around a lot of people and may include careers in writing, computer programming, webmasters and graphic design. In the end, the introvert could do virtually any job that an extrovert can do but ultimately, introverts need to find their own space at the end of the day.

Many introverts are avid readers and are constantly studying and researching various topics of interest, including spirituality and metaphysics. Reading may come in various forms such as books, e-books or internet articles.

Why Are Spiritual People Generally Introverts?

The introvert tends to be guided by his or her higher self in what areas to pursue when researching spiritual and metaphysical topics, almost as if the higher self is guiding the introvert (which it is!).

By internalizing their feelings, the introverts are susceptible to anxiety related issues such as migraines and panic attacks but they are also more apt to find natural solutions on their own before consulting others for their advice.

Because the introvert tends to look within for answers, he or she will find it easier to meditate and to quiet the mind. The extrovert’s mind tends to remain overactive as he or she will often have difficulty quieting the mind while focusing within.

Another common spiritual activity for the introvert is yoga, which integrates the body and mind while the extrovert is more apt to play team sports. In yoga, one uses their body as a vehicle for consciousness while in most sports, the body is used as a vehicle for aggression. Once again, this does not mean that the introvert will not participate in team sports, nor does it mean that the extrovert will not practice yoga. These are general tendencies that introverts and extroverts exhibit in every day life.

The introvert may have a stronger bond with nature as nature may not provide enough stimulation for the extrovert. You will generally find that people who enjoy hiking are predominantly introverts, as they appreciate the solitude and oneness they receive from being outdoors in whatever particular element of nature that they enjoy.

Stargazing is another popular activity for the introvert for the same reason, as extroverts will become quickly bored with staring at the sky and may not understand how the stars are connected to our bodies and everything that is happening on our planet.

While 75% of the population are extroverts, the introvert needs to remain true to his or herself, despite peer pressure to conform to society. Despite not wanting the acknowledgement or recognition, the spiritualists within this genre are the leaders of tomorrow’s world as we enter a new stage of consciousness and spiritual awareness.

About the Author:
Gregg Prescott, M.S. is the founder and editor of In5D and BodyMindSoulSpirit. He hosts a weekly spiritual show on In5D Radio and promotes spiritual, metaphysical and esoteric conferences in the United States through In5dEvents. His love and faith for humanity motivates him to work relentlessly in humanity’s best interests 12-15+ hours a day, 365 days a year. Please like and follow In5D on Facebook as well as BodyMindSoulSpirit on Facebook!

I’m a recluse as much as the next guy… At least, that’s what I thought.

After a recent move to a city that welcomed one too many nights out and one too many clubs to name, I came to the harsh realization that my aversion to nights out and the company of others was not normal and I was coming off as, well, rude.

I thought there was nothing wrong with choosing to spend Friday night in the company of myself and my empty apartment.

I thought it was okay to enjoy walking alone more than with a friend. I thought it was healthy to relish in all those moments of solitude.

To people trying to be my friend, or at least use me as a pawn in their game of nights out, I was the antithesis of everything they wanted.

I tried to make myself go out more, push myself to spend Friday nights in the company of others and try to enjoy all that mindless chit chat that came with money spent on too many drinks.

Soon, I began to hate myself and those around me. I started worrying about insignificant nonsense that shouldn’t bother me.

And after one too many nights spent around everyone but myself, I decided that enough was enough and I would spend as much time alone as I ******* please.

I like my company, even if it’s just a little too much, because there’s something beautiful about being at peace with yourself. There’s something comforting about knowing I can come home to myself every night and love it.

There should be more respect for people who can relish in themselves. There should be more admiration for those who aren’t scared of being alone.

There should be some nice words about the loners and the introverts who are content with themselves and don’t need anyone to feel better.

Because loving your alone time is many times a lot healthier than hating it. Those who bask in their own company are the ones with significantly fewer worries than those who need to be around people to fill that void.

The loners, introverts and asocial people of the world are the ones spending their time creating and growing from themselves, rather than worrying about what everyone else is thinking.

They never worry about how they come off

People who like to be alone are more secure than those who are so good at showing face. They are the ones who are never second guessing their actions or working on their appearance.

They don’t care what people think of them because they, themselves, are their harshest critics.

They never worry about what they just said

The only times people who like their alone time are going out is with people who deserve their shared time. They don’t spend it with people who will judge them or people they worry about taking what they said the wrong way.

They don’t spend hours lying in their beds thinking about what they said or didn’t say back there. They are confident around the people they choose to talk to.

They never worry about acting like they have something to prove

People who enjoy their own company are not the types to put on airs. They never have to act like they have something to prove because they never have anyone to prove anything to.

When you meet them, you will see they are completely themselves, because that’s who matters to them. If you don’t like them, that’s just one fewer person they need to worry about hanging out with.

They’re never worried about doing things they don’t want to do

They don’t sit in bed wishing they didn’t have to go to a party where they hate most of the people just so they won’t spend Saturday night stuck with their own thoughts.

They never replace alone time with empty interactions. Their solitude is never rationalized or bargained for by trivial moments with undeserving people.

They’re never worried about ending up alone

They don’t have that irrational fear of never finding someone. If anything, they fear they will never understand how to share their alone time.

They don’t date people just for the company or settle for unfulfilled love just so they won’t end up alone.

They never worry about finding something to say

Because they’re not constantly putting themselves around others, they’re not constantly searching for new topics and talking points.

They know who they are and what they like and they don’t have to pretend to be interested in things just to keep the conversation going.

They never worry about missing out on something

They never have fear of missing out because there’s no place they’d rather be than with themselves. They don’t find it a wasted evening when they don’t go out.

In fact, they see it as the opposite. In our hectic schedules, getting a night to ourselves is easier said than done.

They never worry about being single

They search for meaning in themselves and take pride in that relationship. They don’t need to feel validated by the significant others they’re supposed to have.

They make sure they are completely in love with themselves before they worry about finding someone else to love.

They never worry about needing time to think

They spend their alone time exploring all the unexamined spaces of their mind. They don’t go to parties or friends’ houses wishing they could just have a moment to think, alone.

They are constantly thinking and constantly wondering. They are never without moments to ponder those questions that need time.

They never worry about having to lie or exaggerate

Their lives are complete by themselves. They don’t have to name drop or worry about being cool enough around the people they’re with because they don’t care about impressing current company or making new acquaintances.

They aren’t about collecting friends or racking up phone numbers. They know who they are and there’s no need to exaggerate about that.

~via EliteDaily

Dreamers of the New Earth

GREGG PRESCOTT, M.S. (IN5D): “Why Are Spiritual People Generally Introverts?”

LAUREN MARTIN: “Simple Life: 10 Things People Who Love Being Alone Never Worry About”