I sometimes struggle with this retreatment, I believe it's necessary to do from time to time but there's always this urge underneath to dissappear from the outside world and purely focus on the inner world, getting work done to reach liberation.
Evidently, this seem practical, especially when it's coupled with the realization that you're born into an unprecedented time in history where fundamental changes with huge ramifications are happening on many levels, both tangible and intangible. I think being a player in this outside world, in some shape of form, is also needed to better navigate this modern times we live in.
Hey there friend, it may be good to have a foot in both worlds, or to have occasional retreat times for deeper meditation. At this time in history, with the rise of AI which is becoming so invasive, it may help to be educated in using modern tools and to be up to date with society, but at the same time we may need to switch off our tools and take time to remember what it means to be purely human. That may mean spending quality time with people, or spending time in deep meditation or study.
With age we can more easily leave behind the duties of the world and family in order to devote time to our path of liberation. Some will retire to meditate, but then also be able to use our modern tools to record or share their insights and deep realizations, so that everyone who is interested can learn from our lifetime's experience. We need the elders to be around to teach us what they spent a lifetime learning.
Indeed! Those that have been there need to inform those that haven't been there yet as a way to keep the aspiration to seek beyond the mundane or rather mechanical aspects of life. I think it could be like a balance of sorts to strike between participating in the modern world while still having time to pursue lifelong learning for liberation.
Thanks for the insightful reply!