I think you are speaking of Transcendance. As was started with Kalki the Avatar changing someones DNA to a higher level. This I would agree has nothing to do with awareness, well maybe a little, as you have to be looking for it. Some beings can help/do this for you if they believe you are sincere.
Enlightenment, I believe has everything to do with awareness. Especially since you know that you have had an experience that has raised your awareness, like having your Third Eye open.
From my experience I believe there are beings out there like Kalki (I don't know if he is the real deal) that can greatly advance your development just from being around them, this is done on a sub-conscious level and you see things happening that you could not do before but now is an everyday thing.
This is not an enlightening experience but more transcendal.
