When Andrew Cohen speaks of enlightenment as "realize and respond," he is pointing to a dynamic, ever-evolving process of awakening that transcends mere personal liberation. To "realize" is to come into direct contact with the deepest truths of existence, to awaken to the infinite ground of being that underlies all of reality. This realization, however profound, is not an endpoint but a beginning. The true measure of enlightenment lies in how we "respond" to this awakening. 

Cohen teaches that the response to realization is a call to action—a conscious participation in the evolutionary process itself. It means bringing the insight of enlightenment into every facet of our lives, allowing it to inform our choices, actions, and relationships. This response is not static but requires continuous engagement, creativity, and responsibility. 

In this light, enlightenment becomes a journey of co-creation with the universe, where realization fuels a passionate commitment to evolve and contribute to the world’s unfolding. It’s an invitation to live not just for oneself, but for the highest good of all, recognizing that our individual awakening is intrinsically linked to the evolution of consciousness as a whole.