The pain of separation from the Holy Spirit is like the way we miss a loved one, but more evident in our behavior and our attitude. When we have become friends with God we realize that we are better when we are near to Him. We see that our criticism, blame, “pious” judgements and the resulting sense of alienation from life and our fellow humans – how we think when we are not living with and in the Spirit – results when we are absent from Him. The friendship of God can infuse our minds through meditation and end our negative thinking forever, allowing us to be friends with everyone and everything.
Nick Hilton - Reflections 