Agehananda Bharati has identified the four components of most mystical regimes as withdrawal from society, spiritual work in the form of physical discipline and theological study, celibacy, and a special diet. He has also discussed whether such factors as education, ideology, moral excellence, and so on may lead to awakening. None of these guarantees that one will experience awakening, but the mystical experience may come to those who try very hard over a very long period of time. The common thread in all of this is an attitude of playful open-mindedness. Awakening is willed.
Awakening has no ontological significance.
Awakening is not related to morality. Awakening solves some problems yet causes others. Awakening is not permanent. In Eastern thought, awakening results in a permanent change such that from then on, the enlightened one dwells in God consciousness. There is no hierarchy of awakened states.