Although I fear failure, I wish to disagree. The assumption required to do this is that the self that I recognize as my own (its own) is experienced. This is to say that the self is able to observe the self. Here I fall into a potential pitfall. For such an observation is inherantly self referential. Hoffsteader would call this a strange loop.
The distinction that varies for me from person to person is that the self which is experienced is different. I experince my self (not myself), not your self or his self over there.
Can this awareness be encouraged if it is not already realized? I would say yes. The method that I use is a trial by fire method. The possibility for awareness is already present in each person. All that is needed is the catalyst, a certain amount of energy that will push the system beyond its state of equilibrium.