In my experience, Zen and Vipassana take you "up and out", which may be why they become a path of ascetism and negation. Advaita is a more embodied practice. Advaita Vedanta (also known as nondualism) has been called the "cream of the Vedas." Zen is more like skim milk (also nutritous but not as tasty). Awakening or enlightenment is actually far more common than literature leads people to believe. Most people just continue to live ordinary lives (enlightenment doesn't give you superpowers or turn one into a saint). Some become teachers and you can find them in most large cities (and on YouTube). The "Buddha at the Gas Pump" site collects lots of interviews (batgap.com) and there's even a snarky ratings site at Spiritualteachers.org. Not for everybody, but then what is?

I used to work in the enlightenment industry.