Hi, I would like to point out that to my understanding people that are into personal growth, they often take ancient literature that largely glorifies suffering like the only way to achieve personal growth. Now while it is true that thru extreme suffering people can experience the dissolving of one's ego and consequently live thru quantum leap that you mention. But I think that is only the most extreme way of achieving it. Furthermore, the collective human consciousness- what some call the morphogenetic field of the human species is continually changing and raising its vibration, so what was truth 1000 years ago, is not a reality today, although the underlying principles are the same.
(check this crossword puzzle phenomenon on collective consciousness https://earlybirdstreehouse.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/the-crossword-puzzle-phenomenon-by-monica-england/ )
There are so many examples of people that experience enlightenment while meditating or just walking or during any other random and not extreme event. Also, I am sure that the shift in consciousness is much more widely spread phenomenon now than 50, or 200 years ago. Today's generations of indigo and crystal children are a nice example of the overall change that humans and planet are going thru.
Thanks for your nice post.