Introduction

Kaivalya,  the word itself,  means solitary or alone.
The ultimate meaning of Kaivalya is the full understanding of the reality of the words "I Alone am true Existence".

The Kaivalya Upanishad is an advanced philosophy and is in reply to the plea of Ashvalayana,  already advanced in both years and practice.  Ashvalayana askes for the full understanding and realisation of the truth of his non-dual identity with the Absolute Brahman or God. 

It is well known that the wise see their own "self" in all others and see all others as their own "self",  which,  within the apparent duality of creation means all are one.
But,  the Kaivalya Upanishad means us to understand more than just that,  hence the reason for its existence. 

Even with the above knowledge the wise Rishi,  the Sage of the Kaivalya Upanishad also knows that The Singularity of Existence,  The Absolute Itself,  cannot be Realised through that knowledge alone.  Ultimately even any consideration of "all" is a duality that should be negated because true Realisation is of the primal singularity of Existence Alone,  without origination.  True Realisation is not seen through the apparent forms of creation,  as it were.  Divine Realisation arises within the conscious awareness that this very awareness itself is all there is.  Consciousness is not shared by "others".  The seeing of "others" is a lonely delusion of this solitary consciousness. 

The Kaivalya Upanishad talks of the last stage of full realisation,  gaining the knowledge and understanding that completes and frees the Realised to emerge Alone from duality as One,  as The Absolute. 

Reaching the Truth of the Absolute Self is a solitary,  Kaivalya,  Realisation.  One has to meditate and enquire within starting from the one Solitary Truth that a sentient being can logically know,  "The Consciousness of This Exists",  all else is an assumption of the senses and mind within consciousness. 

Concerning the completion of our journey,  it also seems propitious to consider this Upanishad to help illuminate the basic motivation and work of all students.  Through grace one may feel troubled,  causing pause for thought,  allowing the insight to arise that something is missing,  that this living is not satisfying our higher purpose.  In our more introspective or intuitive moments most people would admit to the feeling that there is within their self the seed of a higher or a nobility of purpose.  The initial impulse to seek higher truth is the germination of this seed.  This causes one to turn to a spiritual life.  Whether you are then drawn to Teacher,  Church,  Temple,  Mosque or Synagogue you are being moved to seek the light of truth.  From then on what is needed is the nourishment and nurturing of this seed through to fruition,  through to Kaivalya.

 

Lastly,  but of utmost truth and importance.

Considering the terms solitary,  alone,  Kaivalya.  It must be understood right from the beginning that these terms,  aloneness and so forth are terms of duality in themselves.
Ironically,  these terms are only relevant to the state of duality and forgetting that we are in right now.  You can feel alone now,  this is why the consideration of Absolute Aloneness causes profound fear or sadness.  But,  after the proper Realisation of your Solitary Existence you will never feel or be alone again because aloneness will not exist.
Consider,  fear itself in all its forms only arises within duality.  This is because duality itself only exists through the forgetting of our non-dual identity with or as the Divine Absolute or God.  Once the Absolute,  God,  The primal singularity of Existence is realised the state of one's existence is Absolutely Complete. 

After this Realisation,  Aloneness or Solitary or Kaivalya does not exist because they are relative terms. All will be well.