That sounds pragmatic; in the end, you still have to return to the real world and get on with things like survive.

Although this talk about becoming enlightened sounds like people have given up on themselves and realilty entirely to pursue something in their minds. It sounds like a self-induced state of tripping balls.

I've always taken it to (also) mean that one ought not expect rebirth in enlightenment, or some instant transformation of one's condition and even of one's spiritual (if you will) practice. It's not like graduating from school and moving into the workforce, where you stop going to classes and your life shifts radically in a short span. One day you're not enlightened, the next you are, and... that's the whole thing, congrats, you did it, now life goes on surprisingly-similarly to how it did before.

"Oh, you're enlightened? That's nice. Now, on with what we were doing...."

One of my most treasured quotes. Glad to see it here.

Or the contemporary version: after enlightenment, the dishes.

totally agree.