QUESTION: I see your point. But how long do you have to meditate for before you become enlightened?
ANSWER: It is impossible to say and perhaps it doesn’t matter. Why not start meditating and see where it takes you? If you practice with sincerity and intelligence you might find that it improves the quality of your life considerably. In time you may wish to explore meditation and Dhamma more deeply. Later, it might become the most important thing in your life. Don’t start speculating about or worrying over the higher steps on the path before you have not even began the journey. Take it one step at a time.