The journey to inner-awareness takes long time. Why?

The journey to  inner-awareness, enlightenment, or self-realization - regardless of the term - can be complex. It takes considerable effort and time to accomplish. Because we rely on others' teachings, philosophies, and theories. Which will only help us grow intellectually and not experientially. But think of the first enlightened person who  attained this state alone - proving it is possible.

The start and end point of this journey are the same. Your body is the laboratory. All the physics, biology, and chemistry you need is within you. The more teachings we read, gurus we consult, philosophies we scour, and theories we mull over, the further away we get from our authentic inner selves.