On the Hermit's Role in Providing a Sense of Privacy to Others

[[Dear Sister, what you wrote about privacy vs hiddenness made me wonder if one of the things a hermit brings to this world (especially to the internet) is a sense of privacy. If the internet is as influential as we all know it is, and if it leads to the erosion of boundaries, as you and others say it does, then would a hermit using the internet as you do have a role to play in educating people about this dimension of living?]]

That's an interesting question. My answer would be that we do so indirectly. Directly, I don't think it is the hermit's place (or at least it is not my place) to educate about privacy and the internet except in regard to issues like the one I just wrote about, that is, the difference between hiddenness and privacy, the need for respect for oneself and others in whatever one communicates publicly, and the necessity of discernment for the sake of the eremitical vocation and one's readers or viewers. It is also important for the hermit to be able to distinguish between inner (existential) and external solitude and to appreciate existential solitude's requirements of discretion and privacy. 

It is true that I would hope all hermits model a sense of these realities and how they are related in whatever they write or produce, and I certainly believe we each have a responsibility to do so, not least, out of charity for God, ourselves, and others, but this is an indirect way of educating. Having said that, I am aware that in writing about existential solitude and the inviolable, ineffable nature of this journey, a hermit or other contemplative might be coming very close to educating about the relationship of privacy and personal integrity,  but again, I think this is indirect. Still, modeling values is a significant way to teach about them, so my response to your first sentence about "bringing a sense of privacy" is that yes, hermits should certainly do this. What a great paradox that is!

By the way, what I wrote in the last post about habits and titles reminds me of the use of a prayer garment or eremitic (or monastic) cowl. I believe symbolizing the inviolability of existential solitude, and so, a reminder of the need for ensuring privacy for oneself and others, is one of the reasons hermits and some other religious wear cowls with hoods up at times. It is also the reason monks and nuns practice forms of custody of the eyes (see my earlier post on this from several years ago). Thanks very much for the question. I enjoyed thinking and writing about this.