The idea that I'm trying to make is not so much that we nedd to make a decision and be done, as Spooky suggested, but that we nedd to open up by relaxing away the materiality of the world until an experience that there is "something more" occurs. That part requires a decision, but also requires us to accept participation, if only for a moment, in spirituality that extends beyond us. At the instant that we experience the spiritual reality, we've passed the point that "enlightenment switches on".  After that it's a matter of degree - which is why it seems to me to be similar to puberty - it switches on when we're kinda young and confused, but we learn what's actually happening somewhat later. In much the same way, we have a spiritual experience, and then we grow forward from it.

This is not somethng that can be reached by "thinking about it", although that may be useful in integrating the experience. It must be experienced, participated in, an activity that brings our insides to the outside spiritual world, because that changes our relationship to "Ultimate Reality", which is to say, the way we relate to God.

Traditionally one gets there by meditation, but past life regression, soul retrieval, spontaneous mediumship, hypnotic methods to visit the "spirit world" etc, and all the other means of developing spirituality are equal, including the use of meditative aids such as ganja (although this is dangerous). Afterwards, it's a matter of how we use the experience and how far we want to carry that aspect of our lives, all the way to complete absorption in God. There are a few experiential landmarks along the way, but they reinforce what has already been learned by the initial experience.

Anyway, my main specific point is that if one can do a soul retrieval, or other spiritual activity, even just one time, that's about all that's needed. After that, it's more of a matter of living well and not stumbling over our own feet. In particular, this is NOT an arcane idea that requires lifetimes to attain, and then only at great cost and suffering. In fact, it's darned easy! As just one option, Bruce's book 5 gves soul retrieval training. He also has a batch of articles etc. And there's lots of other folks out there who do hypnotic work with spiritual tricks and such.

The other point is that this is a normal part of growing up. If you are not yet spiritually aware, then you simply have not as yet fulfilled your potential. That's OK, it comes naturally if you allow it. But you can accelerate the process by intentionally involvinbg in activities that bring the personal experience of spiritual awareness. Maybe someday everyone will have spiritual maturity.

dave