Not long. Maybe a couple of years once you take the first step. The problem is, most people never take the first step. Even those who think they’ve been on the journey for 30 years and reached “advanced levels of consciousness” have not, in reality, taken the first step.

Most people just don’t want to be enlightened. They’re seeking God, they’re seeking bliss, they’re seeking happiness or peace. They want to have less problems in life. Or more beauty, more love. They all have a goal - an ulterior motive. They want it, because they think their life will be better with it. They think they’re seeking enlightenment, but in reality, they’re seeking something else for themselves. They haven’t yet taken the first step.

The first step is not about enlightenment, it’s about truth. It’s the desire to be free from all the lies you’ve been telling yourself, and all the lies the society has been telling you, also. And make no mistake - the spiritual society is still a society. It’s basically a giant “fuck you” to the world. It’s always somewhat desperate. It’s not finding a new goal in life, it’s what happens when you are tired and exhausted of all your goals in life.

It’s painful, it’s excrutiating. There’s no comfort in it. Nothing to cling to, no pointers, no guidance. You’re on your own, completely.

And enlightenment happens when you least expect it.