For the past few years I've been actively studying these such subjects. There came a time when the knowledge gave me what some call inner enlightenment. This is something which can only be gained through the search for greater self knowledge. It cannot be 'wanted', as wanting creates seperation between what you have and what you don't. But the opposite, becoming literally one with life and it's surrounding environment. The first step of my journey and probably one of the most important was becomming inwardly aware, some call it self-conscious. This is basically the process of sitting back and actively 'watching' the activity of your own mind whilst going about your day to day tasks. Over time, you will see your mind judging, becoming emotional, making decisions and so on. Knowledge of how your own mind chooses to make these actions is invaluable. Just simply watching and learning more about your own mind, will begin to free yourself from the robotic conditioning we have become so used to. It is the first step to inner freedom and greater inner knowledge.