Country living is dangerous; it is far too easy to stagnate. If the reality of change is not forced upon us there is little to threaten our cherished beliefs. The ego will be sheltered, never knocked off balance and forced into change. Where there is no change, there is no hope. While the countryside can be a good place to assimilate and digest one's life experiences, the wretchedness of our lives is not so evident in the country as it is in the city.
The city has the whole of life within it. A thousand different and contrasting world views rubbing shoulders with one another, prodding the ego from every direction. This variety helps to prevent the blindness of familiarity, and provides much needed intellectual stimulation. Here we can see egotism in all its forms, and importantly, the causes and consequences of this egotism can be examined side by side. In the city, it is much more difficult to rest content.
An intensely strong motivation, deep disgust, and a yearning desire is required to transcend this world, which can be difficult to generate in the sleepy dales of the countryside. This is why the city is so useful: it reminds one of the Devil, and therefore of God also. And even though distractions in the city are many, it may be easier to find God here than in the mountains. For here at least there is more chance we will exhaust all avenues of enjoyment and pain, and finally turn to reason, which, after all, we wretches will only do as a last resort.
So, be warned, while the countryside proffers one peace and quiet and freedom from disgust, tranquillity can be fatal!