<prompt> Human: Original Post For Reference: ---Well hello rpersonalfinance. I recently checked my inbox on reddit and I had a huge amount of pms, most of which were requests for updates on my situation. Quite a few people asked me to post an update directly on rpersonalfinance, so... here we go:So, last time I checked in, I was trying to leave the monastic life, but only had 350 and nothing else. I wanted to get out into the real world but I was having a really hard time transitioning. I put out the notice that I was looking for a job doing gardening or farming, and received a lot of offers for both. I ended up taking a job with a friend of a friend who owns a HUGE wholesale nursery. Good money, and I would get to stay with the owner until I could get my own place. I thought I found exactly what I needed... then I started working and I forgot how it is in the real world.I forgot how obsessed people are with money. I forgot how mean most people get, often for no reason. I forgot how competitive people are with each other, often for no practical purpose. I forgot how money seems to bring bad energy with it. I forgot what its like to have a boss that micro-manages. Honestly, I could keep going on, but I think you guys get the picture. I quit, packed my stuff, and went off into the mountains for a few weeks. I got my head back together and then decided to return to monastic practice. I went to a Zen monastery and have been there ever since. This is a monastery I have never been to before, and Its some of the more difficult practice Ive encountered and I couldnt be happier.Im done with the real world, at least not until Im ready to return to the world with gift bestowing hands a term used to say when monks are ready to return to the real world to assume a more pastoral role, like a priest. I see myself taking the experiences Ive had with all these different sects and will continue to study and train until Im able to teach at my own monastery or temple providing both short-term and long-term monastic training.I understand that not everyone can be a monk, I do, but I want people to know, that for many people in difficult situations, the spiritual life is a perfectly acceptable option, even in our modern world.Assistant: I had a very intense couple of years where I was very into meditation and alchemy... I noticed it made me very thin skinned and it was hard to get back into the work force. I found normal things to be very crass and egocentric and had a hard time making money. However, after awhile I got into the groove, found a balance and its made my life more interesting and dynamic. Overall Id say living in the normal world is the best way to truly challenge yourself to grow spiritually. The ego patterns of Maya are definitely at work in any monastery or commune they are just hidden under more subtle layers. You can make the world your monastery. Have a good time.Human: You can make the world your monastery.Absolutely beautiful. Assistant: Theres a Zen saying, When you leave the monastery go to the place where there are no weeds for 10,000 miles Ponder that  <response>: Got it. Middle of the Sahara here I come! 