“Fear, envy, and conceit can be prevented only by intimate contact with other minds.” 160:2.7 (1776.1)
Isolation is fertile ground for distorted thinking. Alone, we can exaggerate our fears, compare ourselves unfairly, and nurture illusions about our own importance. True growth often comes from rubbing shoulders — and sometimes clashing — with other perspectives.
Intimate contact with other minds doesn’t just mean polite conversation; it means honest, vulnerable, and consistent engagement. It’s in these moments of genuine exchange that our fears are calmed by understanding, our envy is replaced by empathy, and our conceit is humbled by shared humanity.
Faith, too, grows stronger when tested and enriched in community. God designed us not as solitary seekers but as members of a greater family. In connecting deeply with others, we discover a truer version of ourselves.
