I don't think it's an accident that so many religions encourage monasticism and/or hermitic living as the best (even only) way to achieve inner peace or enlight

I don't think it's an accident that so many religions encourage monasticism and/or hermitic living as the best (even only) way to achieve inner peace or enlightenment or whatever. Every-moment-zen or the peace of knowledge of the divine and so on are probably way easier to find and maintain in some environments than others. That kind of advice too common across too many cultures/philosophies/religions to be BS. So while it may be technically correct that one can be happy entirely without regard for external circumstances, that goes against prevailing... let's say expert opinion. Environment matters, and controlling and modifying it to make contentment easier to attain isn't a bad idea. Exception: Sikhs. They do religious living on hard mode.