In Zen the enlightenment is most often seen as coming in a
sudden burst, like suddenly getting a subtle joke and bursting out
laughing a long time aftter the joke is told. This is called
"Satori". The word means "understanding." A lesser or preliminary
form of satorri is "Kensho" Using the analogy of the joke again,
this is the point where you understand that the subtle joke had a
deeper meaning but can't quite put your finger on it.
In both cases the enlightenment is that point in time where
things all come together.