enlightenment

Long ago i read stories on enlightenment on how it took couple of arduous years for Budhdha to attain enlightenment - it took thousands of years of practise for Vishwamitra to get enlightened. So, i discarded it as a goal unattainable. In 2000, my wife told me that one could get enlightenment without a lot of effort. This is what her Guru had told her. I dismissed it as nonsensical talk then. Over a period of time, i could sense a lot of struggle in my life despite the fact that i was having a good family, good relationships and good material comforts. I started to investigate it a little further and discovered that i really had a terrible mind, that it is not letting me be calm - all the time making stirring noises. I wanted to find out if there is any solution to this. I tried physical exercise, meditation, reading books but nothing helped me to my satisfaction. Then i thought why not i try from my wife's Guru. So, i went to Oneness University founded by Sri Amma and Bhagawan. I attended atleast 5 courses ranging from 3 days to 15 days. After each course, i found a profound shift in my mindset. I found myself very calm. I could stay with my emotions. I can confound fear to a certain extent. I discovered my emotional faultlines. I found what i lacked in my relationships. Then one day it came as a big realization to me that enlightenment indeed is possible. I am fairly confident now, that enlightenment can happen. All you need to do is to know yourself and accept it; then seek for enlightenment {from whom? i sought my Guru Sri Amma and Bhagawan, you could seek it from your God or Guru}.

Accepting oneself is the key- I would broadly say these would be the steps.
a) Discovering our resistance to events, thoughts, emotions, conditions - all kinds of resistances and identifying those in relation to yourself. Ex.. I had to meet my goal. I cannot work on it, because i have some resistance to it. When i look at it, the resistance could be because of a fear of failure. My self is not able to take fear of failure.
b) Knowing that we get these kind of thoughts .. jealousy, laziness, craving, selfishness, fear.
d) Knowing that you cannot do anything about these.
e) Finally you would be able to accept yourself as you are - this is either a total liberation from your old conditioning, or a deep awareness of your conditioning.

After the acceptance phase, enlightenment is a matter of happening. I can safely say that self acceptance itself is an exhilarating experience. I just feel enlightenment is around the corner. Even if i don't get it, i would have led a life of growth, purpose and fun.