Ultra-Clarity

Probably best way to do that is to become aware of the thought forms you are "stuck with", as in conditioned thought - from society - deeply embedded patterns in memory from school, TV, parents, genes etc, so that you may know yourself (self knowledge) and avoid the obvious reactions and pitfalls. That is beyond consciousness~it is awareness itself which can replace the conditioned "consciousness" or lack of it. The false self is made of memory and noticed as programming or the "not now" once you begin to experience "now".

I know what you mean in one way: Observing other's mistakes can take the place of having to make that mistake yourself. But observation is activated and multiplied by awareness; inner silence. So it takes some to get more.
The important things you should experience first-hand to really understand in your bones. otherwise we are just second hand people; just exchanging one conditioning for another.

There is a misconception incorporated into "spiritual" thinking, that expansion has something to do with awareness. Expansion is the result of, not the cause of awareness, but ultimately a misconception. For example Pain is not thought of expansion in fact it is more akin to a contraction yet you can be "completely with pain" not separated from it, and it ceases to be "pain" really, just is a sensation keeping us alert to the physical problem.
That is one example of getting caught in a thought form perhaps.
Actually that's what you want is: consciousness to die and to then live in awareness , because consciousness is limited and programmed. awareness includes all simultaneously, seamlessly.

Awareness allows inner space and so there is a moment before you react, which causes others to react with limited views. Ignorance  multiplies itself.
Likewise, Awareness creates the conditions for greater awareness, So even though it is probably mostly your own biorythms, efforts and attunements that cause this shift in perception for you, it has an effect on others and may also be the result of others "making sense" to you.

You started out talking about a sense of completeness and "different sense" of self, perhaps not so tightly wound, and self concerned. Allowed a being more in the moment or a greater truth (perhaps what you mean by expansion) but i think you are just becoming more yourself, already fully expanded~nothing needs be changed or enlightened, just becoming attuned to the fact/state that you are whole and complete already!
perhaps it is Self you are becoming aware of, instead of merely the self.

I've personally felt a huge increase in clarity in the past 6 months, clarity with regards to the point or purpose of this existence. I'm not sure if that's what you mean though, zenerg. Here are some things that I've noticed: First, I've become totally unconcerned with the world-wide dramas going on, like the "war on terror" or whathaveyou. I'm just not going to get caught up in that drama anymore. I have my own life to live and it doesn't involve what most people are concerned with. I've just accepted that now and moved on. Second, I've stopped wondering "why?" all the time and stopped searching for answers, because the answers come faster these days from my subconscious than I could read them in any book. There's a profound sense of calm over me that ultimately everything is going how it should be. Lastly, for the first time in this life I've become genuinely interested in life here on Earth instead of not wanting to be here. I guess I figured I'm gonna be here for a while so I may as well enjoy it. I've become more interested in trying to understand the things I always hated like certain character traits or styles of music or even emotions.