What gets in the way of us connecting with others?

I think James Redfield's explanation in the Celestine Prophecy explained this most perfectly.

THE FOURTH INSIGHT . . . THE STRUGGLE FOR POWER
"Too often humans cut themselves off from the greater source of this energy and so feel weak and insecure. To gain energy we tend to manipulate or force others to give us attention and thus energy. When we successfully dominate others in this way, we feel more powerful, but they are left weakened and often fight back. Competition for scarce, human energy is the cause of all conflict between people."

It's so very true. Too many people in the world are stressed, depressed and oppressed, contributing to the massive disconnect from the oneness that is everything. The lack of a relationship with the divine causes much of the suffering in the world. If each individual found their connection with the divine and lived in accordance to that, the world would be a much better place to live in.