But, we cannot go and live in a forest. How do we reach that heightened awareness while living a Sansaric life?

Animals of the forest don’t know how to meditate, yet they are in a heightened state of awareness.
 
We NEED to meditate because our mind is already polluted with desires ( vrttis and vasanas ).
 
Desires have created a “lot” of future in our minds, and this imaginary future has taken us away from the PRESENT.
 
But saying doesn’t do it.
 
The mind refuses to stay in the present.
 
Meditation only makes you realize the mistakes of the mind, but living in that state is challenging.