So , my conclusion is that all the reading , going to retreats, lectures, chanting and the like really don't help . Enlightenment is achieved by a "peak " experience ( Maslow ) that pushes you over the edge of illusion and forces you to accept the truth ,whatever it is .Is it the same for everyone ? I highly doubt it. I shouldn't really say that all the searching etc doesn't really help because in a way it sets up the "peak " experience but you can achieve it without all the rigamarole.Very few people do .