Life in the world and life in the Spirit are not incompatible. Work, or action, is not contrary to knowledge of God, but indeed, if performed without attachment, is a means to it.

On the other hand, renunciation is renunciation of the ego, of selfishness - not of life. The end, both of work and renunciation, is to know the Self (Atman) within and Brahman without and to realize their identity. The self is Brahman and Brahman is all."
–Isha Upanishad