" In some traditions, people withdraw from the world to increase spiritual learning. Some join a monastery. Should I do this?

We cannot all go off to join the monastery. Who would take care of the little ones and feed them? Who would cut the grass or deliver the pizzas? Some of us are called to retreat from the world, but many of us are not.

Today, some Orders are allowing their followers to have jobs in the everyday world. This allows for individual expression.

Each has an individual path and one is not better than another. Enlightenment can be found anywhere in the world; the world is a giant classroom and one finds G-d changing a diaper and another, repeating litanies to the Holy One.

For most, withdrawal from the world is an inner experience and occurs during quiet, reflective time. The physical withdrawal or going away to monastery is an outward manifestation of this inward connection.

There are others who go through their daily affairs and have kept a part of themselves connected, One with G-d. These people have learned to participate in the world and make each action a prayer; part of themselves is always praying and in tune with Truth. This withdrawal is an inner connection into unity with G-d; hence their action, or work in this world, is aligned." -Stewart Bitkoff, Author