Once there was a Westerner who came and asked Ramana why she couldn't have Self-realization right now—she wanted instant Realization. Well, it just doesn't work that way. Ramana shot a beam of energy toward her. That poor soul, it was just like putting one's finger in an electric plug. She received such a shock that she did not come back for several days. Ramana was trying to teach her that Self-realization, though instantaneous, needs to be fostered like a growing plant, and when we can truly open up—Self-realization dawns.
http://www.innerdirections.org/journal/dialogues/living-in-the-presence-of-the-infinite/?ref=nf