I agree that it's easy to be reductionist about Buddhism: it's escapist, not "of the world," etc. Yet imagine if everyone in the world was encouraged to go on a (short-term) retreat: how much more people might be inclined to live their values!

The Jewish approach-- prayer interspersed with daily living and integrated into the rhythm of the day is more my cup of tea. Yet I am not one to undermine the power of affecting the world on the inner plains as well-- especially in tandem with action, organizing and repair of the world in between sessions on the meditation cushion.

I liked this article's attempt to bridge worlds-- indeed, there is more than one path up the mountain. We live in such a fractured world that our world needs all prayers and methods of striving out there for its spiritual and physical healing.