Once, Master Paalu mentioned that one can never get enlightened in an extreme condition.
In relation to being "enlightened", it is not referring to follow a path of becoming a sage or a saint; rather in a human way in this society. Beyond physical and sense stimulation level of activities.

Being able to be born as a human being, we have ample chance to live beyond a life of animals. There are more than just survival needs, more than just pure animal instinct, in the way we operate our life. But our mind, often terrorist our humanity, and we, actually allowing it to take over this operations.

Each of us has a thought to bear a fruit of our dreams; but the seed seldom bears any fruit. Because we like to put ourselves in extreme ( sense stimulating) conditions. We want to lead a life of a roller- coaster, that our energy level fluctuate like stock market. How can this seed even root properly for further growth?

It is just like a child, who keep running about the classroom. When will he be able to finish his homework, when his focus is scattered? Only when he stops, going everywhere... then he can get his work done.

Being in extreme weather ( too cold or too hot) causes illness to the body.
Being in extreme activities ( intense stress or laziness) causes illness to the mental.
Being in extreme emotional hypes ( intense love or hate) causes illness to the soul.
If one keep moving from one end to another end, no fruitful work will happen.

Its always a debate over the intellectual ( mind) and intelligence ( intuition).
When the intellect can analyse the known, while the intelligence can reveals the unknown.
Where the mind moves to the extreme points, the intelligence in equilibrium flow.

With the mind, we gain book knowledge. It tells us the step-by-step of growing a tree, and getting the fruits.

Withe intuition, we again wisdom. It teaches us how to grow a tree that can bears sweet fruits.