he Life of Antony and Thomas Merton's excerpt from Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander suggest that a life of monastic solitude does not cut one off from the world, but rather connects us even more deeply to others. Antony, despite his solitude, is never completely alone and eventually emerges from his fortress after 20 years healed and whole. He devotes his life to training others in the monastic life and to performing miracles/healings for his community. Similarly, Thomas Merton calls monastic "separation" from the world an illusion and sees his solitude as not his own, but something he does for others. Do you find these arguments convincing? Is it possible to live a life of solitude and still be in communion with others? Why or why not? Use the texts to back up your answers