Enlightenment is a word. It can have many meanings. Because I find him to be competent as a spiritual teacher, I will take the definition of the Buddha Sakyamuni: Enlightenment is when we have means to end suffering, when there is bliss for no reason, and when there is an experience of oneness.

Enlightenment is experienced when effort is invested in one's spiritual progress. It is a state of non-judgment, and a state of emotional freedom. For this to happen, one must go thru all the suffering that was packed down and hidden, in the past, and release it today with a pure understanding of the wisdom that the suffering brought with itself.

In enlightenment, there is an experience of bliss, where the mind does not seek outside for love, attention, affection. In enlightenment, the Self (Atma, Soul,...) provides from within all the mental and emotional needs. Thus, the physical needs become just what it takes to stay physically comfortable.

It is ok to have wealth, but if one is attached to a specific possession, there is no enlightenment. It is ok to have relationships, even a family, but if one is attached to another person to provide happiness, there is no enlightenment. It is ok to play in society, and it is important to be responsible of our interactions with others, but if one believes in his own identity, if one believes in the concept of self-importance, there is no enlightenment.

In enlightenment, there are still experiences, some of which seem to be trials, some of which seem to be suffering. Each event following enlightenment is taken lightly, as a new experience.