I like your article rdshelmerdine. If you wrote it from your own personal experience you are indeed on your way to enlightenment. Congratulations. I agree with everything you say but I must add to your comment concerning enlightenment being our natural state at birth. After birth the ego develops and grows larger and larger. The ego masks the identity of our true nature - enlightenment. The trick or task is to discard all the baggage that covers
what we truly are.
Your statement that "anyone can learn to be enlightened" is true, but not everyone is willing to put the effort into getting there. Most people want enlightenment but have the illusion that they can get there instantaneously by way of diffusion from a higher being of some kind. it takes patience, practice, and persistence.
Enlightenment is not flying high above the clouds or soaring on gossamer wings in pure bliss. Enlightenment is living a natural life with the realization that we (everything) are one. It is easy to say this and it has been said many, many times because it is true. That's what enlightenment is all about - knowing that we are all the same - one with everything. But that state of being is not easy to come by or easy to maintain because of the ego.
I invite you to see some of my writings and videos on the subject:
YouTube - Consciousness levels - attain the highest Why Don't You Become Enlightened? Pureawareness.info. Pure Awareness