The Hermitage Within

the long version

The anonymous author offers a rare glimpse into the inner life in solitude while offering spiritual nourishment. Because he identifies as a monk, it seems as if he might be a member of a religious community who has received permission to live as a hermit. Whatever the backstory, this book may be useful for someone who is discerning a call to live as a hermit, because it discloses the stark reality of total self-offering and complete immersion. It discusses the challenges of the first days in solitude with guidance for endurance. It suggests how to properly orient the self and avoid common pitfalls. The remainder of the book offers spiritual insights and reflections, drawn primarily from scripture, that would be especially useful for a someone with a call to this state, but also of interest for anyone on a contemplative path. People who are baffled by hermits or wonder what they do all day might find this interesting as well, but it appears to have been written as a spiritual guide for hermits from someone who has wisdom to share.