Many are unhappy when they are alone and suffer in loneliness, leading to other ailments. How is it then that saints spend years alone, without company and attain to 'salvation'. Henry David Thoreau explains in an essay in his book 'Walden':
In solitude, I am by myself together with my inner Self and therefore two-in-one; in loneliness, I am actually one, deserted by all others. In solitude therefore, a dialogue is possible between me and myself, as it were, as is the dialogue between quotation marks in all Walden’s essays. True understanding (call it the kingdom of God, if you like) will come from within and for this you need to be left alone. -- Henry David Thoreau
In Dakshinamurti slokam, the introductory slokam explains that the learned rishis had assembled in silence to receive knowledge about the highest truth and Lord Siva explained this highest truth in a silent discourse to the receptive rishis. The inner meaning of this slokam is the same as stated by Thoreau: Learn to live in contemplative solitude; the highest knowledge will be revealed to you from within yourself.
Maunavyakhyaaprakatitaparabrahmatattvam yuvaanam
Varshishtante vasadrishiganairaavritam brahmanishthaih
Acharyendram karakalitachinmudramaanandarupam
Svaatmaaraamam muditavadanam dakshiNaamurtimiide
Solitude is learning that we are not alone when we are alone.
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