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The strife and opposition of the world give you the opportunity of testing progress, an opportunity which the monk does not get. Retreat, retirement, and solitude are certainly necessary, but only temporarily and not for a lifetime. Retreat for a limited time, for a week, for a day or for an hour, and then go, return to the deserted arena. Retreat for a month, or for six months or a year, if you feel the necessity of it, but go back and ascertain what you have really attained. Moreover, hold the rhythm of solitude in the midst of activity.

-- Notebooks Category 3: Relax and Retreat > Chapter 1 : Take Intermittent Pauses > # 194