If you want to conquer conceit, do not desire praise, laurels, nice garments, respect, favor, but like to be blamed and slandered by people.

If you want to conquer pride, do not say that your deed was done by your hands and might; say that with God's help and guidance it was done, not by my power and efforts.

If you want to conquer anger, develop meekness and generosity.

From Spiritual Directions of Diadochus of Photiki

And "withdrawal from the world" is nothing but the destruction of passions and manifestation of the innermost life in Christ.

The one who wants to love God has to take care about the purity of the soul, first of all.

Only when we rid ourselves of passions and lust and put the desires of flesh under the control of Spi­rit, only then we accept the cross and follow Christ. And "withdrawal from the world" is nothing but the destruction of passions and manifestation of the innermost life in Christ.