In this modern world there are a great number of solitaries living their lives under various circumstances. There truly are some in cabins in the woods, there are some in small groups of hermits, some in their own homes in small villages (
), some in apartmetns in the cities. But in whatever situation they may be physically, they can be pursuing their practice in solitude. Some are socially active; some are not, being rather reclusive. Some are friendly and some are crabby; some well read, others rather ignorant and simple. We even have networks!!! Don't be surprised, the ancient hermits often knew who one another were and where each other was. They would get together perhaps once a year or so and perhaps teach one another.
Being a hermit and living in solitude is not a common life, but it is not that uncommon of late either. An ultimately one who actuates the hermit life is only one who physically is doing what we all experience behind our eyes anyway, everyday in every moment.