Both CalonLan and Fred make very valid points above. You can still accomplish all you want while "awake". In fact I'd go further by saying you can realize all you want while "awake". "Accomplish" suggests a state of attachment to the outcome. Once awake there is no sense of striving...things become effortless. However, the natural law of the Universe is balance and nothing exists without it's polar opposite, but the awakened individual attaches no personal meaning...for every Hitler there is a Gandhi. Accepting that it All exists within the self but realizing that the choice is always yours, on where to put your attention and what you allow to come forth, will create a world for You in alignment with what You want. Just don't expect everyone else to be having the same experience :)

Everyone follows their own individual path and no one path is better than another. I say why not find a balance and have the best of both worlds if you can:)

If you are speaking of a spiritual awakening, then I can speak with you...for in this, I am awake. I do not go for all this "death of the self" stuff...For it is our "selves" which do the experiencing, which, push the mind and heart towards satisfying and happy accomplishment. It is the "self" which decides to Love God, to do well, to desire happiness...It is a difference between Western and Eastern Philosophy- the East wants Nirvana...Nothingness and the Death of Self...To this mind, Death and Life are the same, and desire just gets in the way of achieving this "peace"...which is kind of meaningless to me, since it is the Ego, the self, which feels happiness! Like you, if awake means feeling nothing, I'd rather dream, like you.

These two Philosophies are at war with each other. You have to be conscious of which Philosophy you want, and the goal of each, to decide whether you want to be "awake". I'd rather be awake and aware than in a place where I feel nothing, and am dead to myself and all conscious Being. Yuck!

Blessings,

Jai

That state of mind which is no longer capable of striving is the true religious mind, and in that state of mind you may come upon this thing called truth or reality or bliss or God or beauty or love.
This thing cannot be invited.
Please understand that very simple fact.
It cannot be invited, it cannot be sought after, because the mind is too silly, too small, your emotions are too shoddy, your way of life too confused for that enormity, that immense something, to be invited into your little house, your little corner of living which has been trampled and spat upon.
You cannot invite it.
To invite it you must know it and you cannot know it. It doesn't matter who says it, the moment he says, 'I know', he does not know.
The moment you say you have found it you have not found it.
If you say you have experienced it, you have never experienced it.
- Freedom from the Known,122,
J.Krishnamurti

peace

what though if there be three worlds, two that send you their side of the paradox, the third your decision

I am telling you the truth you cannot end the ego. but you can get in accordance with it. first know why it exist and why you exist. each of you have different things to do. the ego is like the guard dog of your house. but who are you and who is in control you or the ego? is the ego doing is job properly? and are you doing your job properly? If 2 stay in a house they have to share their task properly and make the choice of who is doing what? And who is qualify or better suited to do the task at hand. But who is deciding in your house you or the ego? can you say to your ego sit down you do not need to bark or attack this person? Can you solve your problem by your self with out always giving the ego the job? or are you the one that the ego control saying to you get mad at this person bark, attack. and you are obeying it? You see even if the ego is good and serve you in this world to protect you it does not mean that you need to be always staying at that place under is control. Who is the master of the house? is it the one that drinks milk or eat meat? the one that drinks milk cannot eat meat , and the one that eat meat can drink milk. But you who are you? Can you find that place of understanding and be a peacemaker, enter at the strait gate.

let there. Be light.Be the light that you can be.experience and enjoy.

In my opinion if you are living life with stress or pain, then there is a choice not to suffer. Thats all. That choice is awakening. If you don't awaken you might get tossed around at the whim of this life's oceanic currents which can be pretty painful.. lol. i should not laugh here actually.

If you awaken you can relieve that stress or pain. You can definitely pursue what you want in this life and be fully passionate and experience the beauty in this life as you desire. You can accomplish anything and everything you want within the confines of the Cosmic laws. Awakening can you get you there in a more certain manner and faster. Its like super express direct non-stop train!

They say Ask and Its Given , or Allow it and it will be given to you. Or as they say seek the Lord and everything will be given unto you.