from Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche's extended commentary on the Lama Chöpa:
This refers mainly to a retreat situation. You should practice in a quiet place which suits you, where conditions provide for your health and physical and emotional needs, whether these are for a suitable friend, or information, or anything else. So wherever you have your requirements met, wherever you feel happy, wherever it is nice and quiet and beautiful, that is the place. It does not matter where it is, in the Mid-West, or on the East Coast or West Coast, or Malaysia or Singapore.
Singapore is a one-city country. The whole country is one huge city. There are huge apartment blocks that really look like pigeonholes from a distance. However, if people feel happy and comfortable and can practice there, it is also a suitable place. It does not matter how big the city is or whether you live in huge monster-like concrete apartments or elsewhere. It totally depends on the individual. Some people like urban areas, some people like rural areas, and everybody likes change. When urban people come to rural areas, they think it is wonderful. And when rural people come to urban areas, they think that is wonderful. When people from India come here, if you take them to a nice, little, quiet place, they may be horrified, because they are probably looking for a city with big shopping areas. It is all relative. It depends on the needs and requirements of the individual. That’s how you choose the place.
So, not necessarily Michigan, but wherever you are. The quiet is necessary, but you can create that in the midst of downtown Manhattan. So, providing a suitable environment for yourself, wherever you are, is the where.
It is only when you are training in zhi ne or mental quiescence, that you need the recommended quiet and isolated places. You really have to have them then, otherwise this is very hard to develop zhi ne. Apart from that, your body is the mandala and your mind is Lama Hevajra, as Marpa has put it.
See also: How to Practice the Lama Chöpa