The nature of reality, how to know that reality, and overcoming pride and admitting being wrong are the three most difficult requirements for contemplative life.
The first two are difficult because the western world since at least AD 1000 has destroyed the truth that there is a spiritual realm and that it is known directly and experienced by God’s revelation through the Holy Spirit and angelic encounters.
Once raised in western culture most people are locked into the stunted view of what exists and a restricted — five physical senses way to know it. Peer pressure and pride make it difficult to admit to oneself those two mistakes and to then admit that the media, government, education, the arts, the science establishment, and the entertainment industry are also wrong.
Because contemplative life seeks to enter into that real spiritual realm, people are doubly hindered if they do not know there is a permanent spiritual realm and believe knowledge comes only from the five senses.