People not quite clear on the concept ...

I found a rather obscure and stale blog which I found slightly amusing. I guess some person had decided to become a solitare ...

"Known variously as hermits, anchorites or solitaries, Anthony's modern-day successors typically find that, although the life is challenging and difficult, silence and solitude is the context that works best for them to experience the intimacy with God for which they long."

And, ironically I read an entry an entry summarizing his progress to a point i came across some statements that in my opinion in conflict with his goal .... Not that blogging wouldn't have been a conflict but based on the stale date of the content I guess they figured that part out. I did read this though ... although verbose ... I include it here, and later I'll point out some obvious flaws.

"Becoming a Solitary, whether through the Diocese of New York or on my own, involves a radical re-ordering of my present life. There is much to do on a practical level:

1. Convert my schedule to liberate enough time for daily office, lectio, centering prayer (done!)
   
   1. Try to work from home instead of commuting 20 hours a week (done!)
      
   2. Craft an appropriate rule of life and horarium (done!)
   
   
2. Convert my apartment into a hermitage
   
   1. Get rid of unnecessary possessions (pretty much everything) (working on it)
      
   2. Get rid of things whose purpose is social or for entertaining (working on it)
      
   3. Arrange the space to support prayer and study as primary activity (working on it)
   
   
3. Seek formation
   
   1. Further study in contemplative spirituality
      
   2. Find a mentor who is a hermit for guidance on solitary life (no luck yet)
      
   3. Nurture relationship with spiritual director & wise friends (working on it)
   
   
4. Find a support system of confreres for encouragement and counsel
   
   1. On the internet? (done!)
      
   2. Some yet-to-be-discovered association of solitaries? (done!)

Even these initial steps clearly constitute a multi-year project.

As I take each step, I'll have a question in the back of my mind. Is this step irreversible? If I'm wrong and I need to go back, will I be able to? Should I keep the option open? Is it wise to have an exit strategy, or faithless? To what extent should I abandon myself to this process, never to return?"

I found fault in the point labeled 1-b but lets give this person the benefit of the doubt and assume that they do not need to evolve as I believe we all do. Examining 2-a & 2-b obviously this person felt that a computer was a necessity and an internet connection had nothing to do with social-contact .... I think these points alone would convince me that there is room for improvement in respect to point 1-b as I may have suggested earlier. But that wasn't as amusing as point 3-b .... Find a mentor who is a hermit for guidance on solitary life (no luck yet) ... I mean let's face it folks ... is a hermit not averse to social contact ... would that aversion not preclude the need/desire/inclination to take on apprentices? And if you were to find an hermit who was willing to take you on as an apprentice, really would they be the kind of expert you should look to for guidance? Just wondering ... And finally point 4-a, what's up with that? You are adapting your life to become a solitaire, but you have found an online support group. This takes us back to my discomfort with point 1-b. It is entirely possible that there is room for improvement in relation to "self-honesty". I am not in any way qualified to judge the followers of the various religions ... I have many sins and you can crucify me for any of many, but really. A blogging hermit - an online fellowship of solitaries - Correct me if I'm wrong but are these not in direct conflict with the stated "prime directive"?

As I recall reading when I studied Casteneda,

The conditions of a solitary bird are five:
The first, that it flies to the highest point

The second, that it does not suffer for company, not even of its own kind
The third, that it aims its beak to the skies
The fourth, that it does not have a definite color
The fifth, that it sings very softly.

Oddly enough .... it was a quick Google for this text that guided me to the aforementioned blog.

If you are reading this, know that you are loved. I trust that you are well & the people that you love are comfortable & in good health. Consider yourself hugged ... very softly.