Saints who lived in solitary retreat – do they share something in common?

Last Updated on February 4, 2025 by pg@petergamma.org

A saint from Switzerland who lived for many years in solitary retreat was Meinrad von Einsiedeln:

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meinrad_von_Einsiedeln

According to a historically untenable legend, Meinrad came from the family of the Counts of Hohenzollern. He was taught at the monastery school of the Benedictine Abbey of Reichenau in Lake Constance by the abbots Haito and Erlebald. He entered the monastery and became a monk.

Has the biography of Meinrad von Einsiedeln not similarities with Niklaus von Flue, Dilgo Kihenze Rhinpoche and Milarepa? Where not all of those from wealthy families? And did not all of them prefer to retreat with holy scriptures, as for instance those from Buddha, who was from a rich family as well? Did all of those not prefer this lifestyle with the scriptures to the lifestyle of their rich families?