If you are talking about the road to Nirvana, there is several life you have to go through before you enter consensus state, right?
I would rather say, there is to much influence from very young from every corner of your life, but if you are for some reason, not followed up as much as you should as a kid, abused, harassed, bullied, I believe that could be a great gate opener, as well parents and surroundings who also is spiritual guiding you feom early age.
I know from experience that people who did not have a great childhood more often become spiritual gifted, but not as a rule.
Not sure how this came out, struggling with my words today, as usual, but a bit more today
And I believe some animals have intelligence as we learn more and more through researches, as well some researches state they have consensus. a google search for animals consensus gives a few fruity links.
Squid?