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Arawn-ap-Hywel · Mar 14, 2008, 03:23 am

Quote:

Professor Isacco Turina, a sociologist at the University of Bologna, tracked down 37 hermits for his work: The New Hermits, The Flight from the World in Modern Italy.

He said there are now as many as 1000 hermits in Italy, with several hundred more dotted across Europe and the US.

However, instead of long, flowing beards and cave dwellings, the modern hermit can usually be found in a city apartment, and is even sometimes connected to the internet for convenience.

Italian women take up the hermit's life - Telegraph

Quote:

Mr Turina said the comeback could be traced to 1983, when the Vatican offered "full recognition" to hermits if they devoted their lives to the solitary "praise of God".

Bishops will even consecrate hermits in return for vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.

"The requests to take up a hermit’s life have multiplied, although there is no institutional guide on how to do it," said Mr Turina.

HelioPrime · Mar 14, 2008, 09:55 am

I wonder how they afford to live in the modern world as a hermit.

In the US we'd probably call them lazy, unemployed fools living off welfare.

Compugasm · Mar 14, 2008, 02:22 pm

Helio, maybe it's the a lifestyle where people consciously choose to minimize the 'more-is-better' pursuit of wealth and consumption. Some people who practice voluntary simplicity act consciously to reduce their need for "stuff" and, by extension, their need to sell their time for money. The article referred to monestaries and nunneries. But In our modern times, there are much better ways to help ones family, self, and community that doesn't involve being a monk. So, calling them lazy fools is pretty ignorant.

My personal experience, is that I only work 4-6 months in a year. There is much you have to give up to accomplish this, but I would not consider myself foolish because I get an 8 month vacation. Most people get two weeks, three at most if they're lucky. Life is pretty sweet when you don't have to deal with annoying coworkers, traffic jams, and mortgage payments.

Court463 · Mar 14, 2008, 07:33 pm

First what is it exactly that you do, to not have to work for 8 months.

Second, how do hermits get food, and pay for electricity.

Third, what is the logical explanation to choose such a lifestyle. (can't be healthy)

I don't think its like a bad thing, just kind of strange and the plus side would be lots of time to think.

Compugasm · Mar 15, 2008, 12:24 am

Quote:

Quote by: Court463

First what is it exactly that you do, to not have to work for 8 months.

I develop web software, build websites, yada yada. Mostly these jobs are temporary positions, or companies go bankrupt, etc... Taking this transient occupation into account, I save every dollar and don't waste it on material posessions. So when I find myself without a job for extended periods, I'm not worried about how I will have to pay the electric bill. It also affords me the opportunity to cherry pick the projects I work on, instead of taking any job just for the money.

I think the language translation from Italian, gives a different meaning. The term "hermit" is used loosely for anyone living a solitary life-style. These people are choosing to stay single rather than join monestaries and nunneries. That is what I belive the article means to say about people being "hermits".

Court463 · Mar 17, 2008, 12:00 am

ahhh, that would make more sense, I wonder why the church pushs such an emphasis on no sex, I can't find any logic in it.

Arawn-ap-Hywel · Mar 21, 2008, 04:28 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Court463

First what is it exactly that you do, to not have to work for 8 months.

Second, how do hermits get food, and pay for electricity.

Third, what is the logical explanation to choose such a lifestyle. (can't be healthy)

I don't think its like a bad thing, just kind of strange and the plus side would be lots of time to think.

Court this baffled me, and I cannot find a link to explain any income.
Presumably they are funded by social security in someway.
It was traditional in the Uk for some landed gentry to "sponsor" a hermit, and they would enable a part of the estate for a dwelling whilst also providing food.

Perhaps the wealthy of Italy feel a greater connection to their god, and sponsor in a simialr fashion.

What stunned me was that they were females, as I recall hermits are more often considered male.

Still there's probaly an EU grant and "Hermitting"will no doubt become a semi-vocational university course at some of the lesser centres of learning

(I wonder if there is an age limit, No , of course not that would be agist)

Mar 14, 2008, 09:55 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
HelioPrime Hucking Fuskies Location: Conn Posts: 2,274	I wonder how they afford to live in the modern world as a hermit. In the US we'd probably call them lazy, unemployed fools living off welfare. What do you say to an atheist who sneezes? Yourdeadthatsit! - Dane Cook

Mar 14, 2008, 02:22 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Compugasm Son of X51 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,637	Helio, maybe it's the a lifestyle where people consciously choose to minimize the 'more-is-better' pursuit of wealth and consumption. Some people who practice voluntary simplicity act consciously to reduce their need for "stuff" and, by extension, their need to sell their time for money. The article referred to monestaries and nunneries. But In our modern times, there are much better ways to help ones family, self, and community that doesn't involve being a monk. So, calling them lazy fools is pretty ignorant. My personal experience, is that I only work 4-6 months in a year. There is much you have to give up to accomplish this, but I would not consider myself foolish because I get an 8 month vacation. Most people get two weeks, three at most if they're lucky. Life is pretty sweet when you don't have to deal with annoying coworkers, traffic jams, and mortgage payments. I'd like to thank Charlie Hodge, bringing me scarves and water. Last edited by Compugasm; Mar 14, 2008 at 02:43 pm.

Mar 14, 2008, 07:33 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
Court463 Molten Ash Posts: 101	First what is it exactly that you do, to not have to work for 8 months. Second, how do hermits get food, and pay for electricity. Third, what is the logical explanation to choose such a lifestyle. (can't be healthy) I don't think its like a bad thing, just kind of strange and the plus side would be lots of time to think.

Mar 17, 2008, 12:00 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
Court463 Molten Ash Posts: 101	ahhh, that would make more sense, I wonder why the church pushs such an emphasis on no sex, I can't find any logic in it.