You’ve probably heard people talk about spiritual awakenings and how they can lead to people becoming more enlightened (shall we say, “woke”?). But what does it mean to have a spiritual awakening, and what does it entail? We turned to the professionals for answers to these and other questions. Don’t worry; we’ve got the inside scoop on how to get started on yours as well.
What Does it Mean to Have a Spiritual Awakening?
Spiritual awakening is a concept that has existed for generations and may be found in a wide range of cultures and faiths around the world. A spiritual awakening occurs the moment a person can stand back and “awake” to their life with a new sense of being in this world, whether you term it “nirvana,” “enlightenment,” or “bliss.”
Spiritual awakenings might be unsettling at first, as they frequently prompt us to ask questions such as, “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” When we find ourselves suddenly feeling very much alive, there might be a sense of amazement and enthusiasm.
The concept of spiritual awakening was popularized in the Western world by renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung (who described it as a return to one’s original Self), yet the experience of rising to a higher state of consciousness has always been an integral element of what it means to be human.
What Happens When a Person Experiences a Spiritual Awakening?
Anything that encourages (or pushes) you to “look at your life from a more spiritual viewpoint” can help you to spiritually awaken.
Life-changing events (such as losing your job, moving away from home, being in a vehicle accident, etc.) and persons who open a spiritual “door” for you are two common causes (like a twin flame or soulmate). Spiritual awakenings can happen on their own, but most are brought on by severe life changes or traumas like life-threatening illnesses, car accidents, divorces, war, pandemics, quarter-life or midlife crises, mental health crises such clinical depression or anxiety, or even a near-death experience.
Spiritual Awakening Signs
Here are several signs that you’re going through or about to go through a spiritual awakening:
You Have a Sense of Being Separated or Detached
The spiritual awakening process might be overpowering and perplexing at first. You may feel “disconnected and separated from the things and people you used to appreciate” if you believe everything you considered to be true about your life was a lie.
You’ve Reconsidered Your Viewpoints
A spiritual awakening will certainly compel you to reconsider or embrace major new spiritual beliefs. Whether it’s becoming completely involved in a new religion or belief system, or quitting your work to pursue your true calling, your priorities are likely to have shifted.
Your Dreams Have Become More Vivid
A spiritual awakening can make your waking life more vivid, but it can also make your dreams more vivid. It’s also possible that the meanings of your dreams and how they relate to your trip will become clearer.
More Synchronicities and Déjà Vu Occur
It’s an indication you’re on your spiritual path if you routinely have mind-blowing synchronicities, such as thinking about someone and then suddenly running into them the next day, or seeing angel numbers all the time. Likewise, feelings of déjà vu are not unusual.
The Dynamics of Your Relationships Begin to Shift
There’s no denying that spiritual awakenings are life-changing, and the people in your life may not always understand this. Because you are evolving, you may feel as if your loved ones don’t understand you anymore. Remind loved ones that while they don’t have to understand what you’re going through, ask them to appreciate what you’re going through and give you space when needed.
Spirituality is Becoming Increasingly Essential in Your Life
As you go through this process, it will be difficult to ignore the appeal from your spiritual side. One of your top priorities will almost certainly be to find meaning and fulfillment in your spirituality.
You’re Increasingly More Intuitive
Another symptom is the emergence of new intuitive abilities or newly heightened intuition. They’ve always been there, hidden beneath your ego’s layers, and now that you’ve awakened, you’re much more aware of yourself.
Inauthenticity and Manipulation are Detectable
You’ll also be able to detect any inauthentic or manipulative behavior when someone is fooling you, thanks to your enhanced intuition. It’s difficult to be around things that aren’t trustworthy.
You Realize that Everyone has their Own Path to Travel
You become more receptive to the idea that everyone else is on their own unique spiritual path as you figure out your own. Things like winning discussions and persuading people to agree with you aren’t as important as they formerly were.
You Desire to Help Others
You will feel called to be of service to people, animals, and the environment as you learn to realize that all living things are intrinsically worthy and equal. It’s critical to you that you have a cause that you can get behind in order for your life to feel meaningful. It may not be necessary to change careers or responsibilities, but simply to approach what you’re already doing with a greater sense of service.
Your Teachers Find You
During an awakening, your spiritual instructors may emerge in unexpected places at the right time to assist you. They don’t have to be physical teachers: a stranger in the store, a new friend, or a literal spiritual or religious person could all be examples.
You’re Feeling Lonely
Spiritual awakenings are difficult, and while there is the possibility of enlightenment on the other side, it might feel terribly lonely. It’s alienating to have your entire life turned upside down, especially if the people around you aren’t on the same page.
You Have a Stronger Sense of Connection to the Natural World
While you may initially feel less connected to your friends and family, you will develop a stronger bond with nature. You will sense your interconnectedness to everything, from plants to animals to the entire globe, and it may be quite touching.
Your Senses have Been Sharpened
As you grow more tuned in to the present moment, your senses will often become heightened during spiritual awakenings. This can encompass physical, emotional, and/or energy sensitivity.
You Might Experience Increased Physical Feelings
Other physiological feelings may accompany your increased awareness and senses. Sleep apnea is a prevalent occurrence.
Physical Symptoms are Possible
Spiritual awakenings can sometimes be accompanied by bodily symptoms such as weariness and brain fog. (Of course, these symptoms could also be an indication of a medical issue, so don’t dismiss them completely.)
Your Habits and Routine Abruptly Change
Your daily life, including habits and rituals, will begin to change as your spiritual life evolves. Perhaps you now prioritize spending time in nature or meditating, or you’ve broken free from previous behaviors that were no longer helping you.
Your Perspective on the World Shifts
Spiritual awakenings aren’t easy, and the isolation and ego-shattering realizations that accompany them can make anyone feel as if they’re in a different world.
Empathy has Improved
As you become more connected to the environment around you, you will develop a greater empathy for others’ pain. The ubiquity of suffering may make it difficult to ignore, which is why you now feel more compelled to help.
You are More Compassionate
People who are experiencing spiritual awakenings are likely to feel more compassionate toward others, in addition to feeling more empathic, but yet desiring to hold them accountable.
You’ve Developed a Fresh Sense of Wonder
Finally, now that you’ve “awakened” to your existence, you’re likely to retain a youthful wonder and interest for the world around you, even when things are difficult. It’s a sign of spiritual enlightenment to be able to remain fascinated about your life and the people in it, even while you’re feeling upset.
Awakening’s Stages and Process
The genuine “spiritual awakening” is only the first step on the long road to enlightenment, you could say. Although the initial awakening may occur in a flash, the process involves several stages, which are as follows:
Spiritual Enlightenment
This is the start of your spiritual journey, as you begin to doubt everything you previously believed. You begin to purge certain aspects of your life (habits, relationships, and outdated belief systems) in order to make room for new, more meaningful experiences. You may sense that something is lacking, but you aren’t sure what it is. It’s common to feel disoriented, confused, and down during this time.
The Dark Night of Your Soul
The second stage of spiritual awakening is exactly what it sounds like: a particularly difficult period—indeed, the most difficult period. This is when your soul is recalibrating in various ways, removing all parts of the ego. It’s difficult, but once you’ve reached rock bottom, there’s only one way to go: up, requiring you to make a serious change.
Absorption
You’re ready to start developing your new and improved, “awake” life once you’ve made it through the dark night of the soul. It’s all about trying things on and experimenting in the third phase. As you figure out what fits with your spirit, you start expanding out and exploring other activities, beliefs, relationships, and so on.
The Satoru Persona
Satori is a Buddhist term for “awakening” or “comprehension” in Japanese, derived from the verb satoru. It alludes to kensh, or “seeing into one’s actual nature,” in the Zen Buddhist tradition. Through your strengths, skills, and talents, you begin to not only identify, but also honor and embrace your true nature in this period.
The Sessions for the Soul
Do you believe you’ve attained enlightenment? That’s not the case. The fifth stage, dubbed “soul sessions” by Kaiser, might take a long period. You’re constructing the physical structure in your life that will allow your true spirit to flourish. This may necessitate some trial and error as well as a variety of solutions. Your soul is growing and healing during this time (which can take years) as you realize the truth.
Surrender
Surrendering is the second-to-last step in the waking process, and it involves letting go of any lingering ego structures, beliefs, or features that are preventing you from your reality. You’ve grown to know your soul and found a way of living that works for you, yet there may still be individuals or habits that are holding you back. You will relinquish them here so that you can fully step into your power.
Service and Awareness
Finally, we have service and awareness. This is full consciousness of your own divinity in every instant, as you gracefully and clearly go through life. You live your life in service to others, which provides you enormous joy and fulfillment.
How Can You Make Room for a Spiritual Awakening?
While spiritual awakenings are seldom easy, many people believe they are well worth the effort. Develop daily, weekly, or monthly spiritual practices if you want to make space in your life to begin your spiritual journey (like meditation, mindfulness, and gratitude, for example). Additionally, find spiritually compatible persons with whom you can communicate. You can also browse for spirituality-related books or podcasts that interest you.
Practice self-compassion and self-love. Be gentle with yourself and trust the process; all spiritual awakenings take place to help us reclaim our genuine selves. Pay attention to your inner guide and intuitive nudges, as they are assisting you in harmonizing and removing what no longer serves you.
Spiritual awakenings are complex, powerful, and life-changing in the greatest possible way. While they may not be simple, with patience, trial and error, and a little time, they will improve your life. If you find yourself in one, all you have to do now is trust the process, hold on tight, and get ready for a new life.
