Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
I Kings 17:2-4

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

"Counsel for Silence" -- Jessica Powers/Sr. Miriam of the Holy Spirit

Go without ceremony of departure
and shade no subtlest word with your farewell.
Let the air speak the mystery of your absence,
and the discerning have their minor feast
on savory possible or probable.
Seeing the body present, they will wonder
where went the secret soul, by then secure
out past your grief beside some torrent's pure
refreshment. Do not wait to copy down
the name, much less the address, of who might need you.
Here you are pilgrim with no ties of earth.
Walk out alone and make the never-told
your healing distance and your anchorhold.
And let the ravens feed you.
  • 1
    Get away. Move to a remote area, with a cabin or home already built, or build one yourself. Thoreau chose to build his own cabin, but this is not a necessity. The point is to find a place away from civilization.
  • 2
    Remove all clutter. Cleanse your life of meaningless possessions. The point of being a hermit is to live the simplest life possible. This means that you will have to part with your laptop, cell phone, MP3 player and other technological gadgets.
  • 3
    Become one with nature. The best way to survive as a hermit is to live off the land. Start a garden or hunt. Being a hunter-gatherer will be a different lifestyle than most Americans are used to, but the rewards can be great.
  • 4
    Keep yourself company. By writing or simply being. You must learn to be your own best friend. Hermits usually have no one to talk to but the birds.
  • 5
    Plan ahead. If you are only becoming a hermit for a short time, let your friends and family know that you will return to civilization soon. This may ease some of their fears and decrease the chances they'll disturb your solitude.


  • Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2058415_be-hermit.html

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