Hermit

A hermit is a person who chooses to live alone and apart from society, often for religious or personal reasons.

Hermits may seek solitude to practice meditation, prayer, or self-discipline, or to escape from the distractions and temptations of the world.

Some hermits live in remote places, such as deserts, mountains, or forests, while others may live in urban areas, but isolate themselves from social contact.

They are sometimes called recluses, solitaries, or eremites.

Hermits have existed in various cultures and religions throughout history.

Some of the earliest hermits were the Desert Fathers, who were Christian ascetics living in the Egyptian desert in the 3rd and 4th centuries CE.

They renounced worldly pleasures and devoted themselves to fasting, prayer, and spiritual guidance.

Some of the most famous Desert Fathers were St.Anthony, St.Paul, and St.Macarius.

Other examples of hermits are the Hindu and Buddhist monks who live in caves or monasteries in the Himalayas, the Sufi mystics who wander in the deserts of Arabia and Africa, and the Taoist immortals who seek harmony with nature in the mountains of China.

Hermits are often admired for their wisdom, holiness, and simplicity, but they may also face challenges, such as loneliness, boredom, or hostility from others.

Some hermits have followers or visitors who seek their advice or blessing, while others may prefer to remain completely anonymous and hidden.

They may also have different degrees of detachment from society.

Some may still maintain some contact with family, friends, or authorities, while others may completely sever all ties and live off the land.

In summary, a hermit is a person who lives alone and apart from society, usually for religious or personal reasons.

They seek solitude to pursue spiritual goals, or to avoid worldly troubles.

Hermits have been found in various cultures and religions throughout history, and they may have different lifestyles and motivations.

Depending on their beliefs and actions, society may respect or reject these people.

Hermits are a rare and fascinating phenomenon of human behavior and culture.

A hermit is a fantasy creature that resembles a human, but lives in isolation and often practices magic.
Hermits are usually old, wise, and secretive, and they may have special abilities or knowledge that they guard from outsiders.
Hermits are often associated with nature, and may live in caves, forests, mountains, or other remote places.

Some examples of hermits in fantasy literature are Radagast the Brown from The Lord of the Rings, Ged from A Wizard of Earthsea, and Yoda from Star Wars.
Hermits are not to be confused with hermit crabs, which are real animals that live in shells.

• Christopher Knight: He walked into the woods of Maine at the age of 19 and never came out.
  He lived in a makeshift shelter and survived by stealing food from nearby homes and camps.
  In 27 years of seclusion, he hardly spoke to anyone.
  Christopher Knight was caught in 2013 and said he couldn't explain why he left society.

• Rachel Denton: She is a former science teacher who became a diocesan hermit in 2006, after five years of preparation.
  This women lives in a cottage in Lincolnshire, England, where she spends her days in prayer, gardening, and writing.
  Rachel Denton has taken a vow of celibacy and contemplative silence, and only communicates with the outside world through letters, emails, and social media.

• Hikikomori: This is a phenomenon in Japan where young men and women withdraw from society and isolate themselves in their rooms.
  They limit their social contact to a narrow circle of friends and relatives, and often rely on the internet for work and shopping.