John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:27-30 (KJV)
The ascetic life is a desire to decrease (in this world) so that Jesus may increase (in me and this world). Or, to not be anchored in this world but in Jesus alone.
this solitary life 