Spiritual awakening is when the mind opens to a new awareness that life is larger than oneself. It’s when all of life seems interconnected by some sense of truth or consciousness that permeates everything. It is a personal sense of having reached a new level of self-understanding or relationship to life, God, or religion that gives one new meaning and a sense of an inner journey.
Sometimes spiritual awakenings can arise seemingly out of nowhere, like when you reach a certain age, as though maturity simply brought it on. Other times, a life event such as a death, attending a new church, yoga class, reading a profound book, or meeting an extraordinary person can trigger it.
Sometimes it is a peaceful experience filled with love and wonder. Yet, it can also cause stress and contain consequential life changes that are unsettling. Indeed, if you’re prone to escapist behaviors, spiritual awakenings can lead you astray (read about “spiritual bypassing” in the link). But whatever causes the awakening, it typically creates lasting changes in your mindset and can cause both inner emotional and outer lifestyle transformations.
Let’s break down this profound experience. We’ll explore how we can use it for personal development and also point to necessary cautionary advice for this sort of inner adventure. I’ll share a rundown of my own early life spiritual awakening at the end!
The Concept of Spiritual Awakening
Spiritual awakening, often rooted in ancient Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Hinduism, refers to a profound shift in one’s consciousness. It’s an person’s journey from a state of unconscious patterns and self-centered perspectives to a state of heightened awareness, deep interconnectedness, and universal love. This awakening isn’t a one-time event but a transformative process that fosters personal growth and broader understanding of life’s deeper meanings.
In a way, spiritual awakening is akin to legendary mythologist and professor of comparative religions Joseph Campbell’s “heroes journey.” This is where a person sets out on a personal quest, has transformative experiences, and returns home in a new, wizened form, so-to-speak. The hero heeds an inner call, sets out to explore it, is tested and often nearly defeated by life, but emerges triumphant. We all have versions of the heroes journey in our lives, perhaps just on a micro-scale (we can’t all slay dragons, after all, but can slay our inner negative critic or take back our health!).
Below are some of the signs and symptoms of having a spiritual awakening.
30 Signs and Symptoms of Spiritual Awakening
While one embarks on a heroes journey or spiritual awakening, they will experience some of the following perceptions and sensations. These indicate that new levels of consciousness are opening within; that the mind is perceiving the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Increased Self-Awareness
You’ll find yourself observing your thoughts, feelings, and actions more closely. You start recognizing patterns and understanding how your actions impact your life and those around you.
Sensitivity to Energy
You might become more attuned to others’ emotions, the energy of certain environments, or even subtle spiritual energies. It can make you more empathetic and understanding, but can also be overwhelming at times.
A Sense of Oneness
A spiritual awakening often leads to the profound realization that all living beings are interconnected. You may feel a deep sense of unity with others and the universe, blurring the lines of separateness. This can foster feelings of love, compassion, and mutual understanding.
Seeking Deeper Meaning
During a spiritual awakening, you might find yourself questioning the meaning and purpose of life. This can lead to a thirst for philosophical knowledge, exploration of different spiritual practices, or profound introspection. It’s an inner journey towards understanding life’s deeper truths. Joseph Campbell’s book, “The Heroes Journey”, is a great read as well as Jiddu Krishnamurti’s “The Book of Life”.
Radical Changes in Priorities and Values
As your spiritual perspective evolves, your personal priorities and values often undergo major changes. Materialistic desires and superficial concerns may lose their appeal, replaced by the pursuit of self-realization, deep relationships, and service to others. This can alter the course of your life significantly.
Frequent Synchronicities in Spiritual Awakenings
Synchronicities, or meaningful coincidences, seem to occur more frequently during a spiritual awakening. These seemingly unrelated events align in a way that feels deeply meaningful or offers guidance. They are often viewed as signs from the universe, adding a sense of magic and wonder to life.
Increased Compassion and Empathy
During a spiritual awakening, a heightened sense of compassion and empathy towards others develops. This can manifest as a greater understanding of the experiences of others, and a desire to alleviate suffering in the world. This deep empathy can be emotionally intense but also incredibly fulfilling.
Desire for Solitude
A spiritual awakening often comes with a strong desire for solitude. The quiet and solitude can provide a space for introspection, deep healing, and a stronger connection with your inner self. It’s a break from the noise and distractions of the external world.
Experiencing Deep Inner Peace
A spiritual awakening often brings a sense of deep inner peace. This peace doesn’t depend on external circumstances, but comes from a deep acceptance and understanding of life’s imperfections. It’s a stability that can be a source of comfort during life’s storms.
Feeling a Pull Towards Nature
Many people feel an intense connection to nature during their spiritual awakening. They find peace and wisdom in the natural world, and often feel a deep sense of responsibility to protect it. Nature becomes a place of spiritual connection and rejuvenation.
When I was in California living the life of a New Age hippie (see my story at the end of this post!), it was the surrounding mountains, stream, and hot springs that ultimately woke up an inner longing and inspiration for a more fulfilling and meaningful life. The peace of it was profound(Think: Midwest girl who grew up with flat landscapes suddenly living amongst the pinnacle of nature’s beauty! A profound shock to my senses!).
Seeing Beyond Social Conditioning
During a spiritual awakening, societal norms and values are often viewed with a critical eye. You might start to question previously accepted beliefs and behaviors, leading to a breaking away from social conditioning. This can be challenging, but also deeply liberating.
Increased Intuition During Spiritual Awakenings
During a spiritual awakening, many people notice an increase in intuitive insights. These gut feelings or hunches seem to provide guidance or information that goes beyond logical understanding. This heightened sensitivity can be an invaluable tool for decision-making and understanding the world around you.
Shift in Sleep Patterns
Changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia, waking at unusual hours, or having intense dreams, are common during a spiritual awakening. These changes can be challenging, but are often seen as part of the process of energetic and psychological transformation. They might also provide insights through dreams or periods of wakefulness.
Changes in Appetite in a Spiritual Awakening
Many people report changes in diet and appetite during their spiritual awakening, often shifting towards healthier, more natural foods. This shift seems to reflect an increased respect for the body as a spiritual vessel. It’s part of a broader shift towards a more holistic and balanced way of living.
Feeling Out of Sync with Old Habits
During a spiritual awakening, old habits and routines might begin to feel out of alignment with your new perceptions. What once provided comfort or pleasure may now feel unfulfilling or even detrimental. This can lead to an overhaul of lifestyle habits as you seek habits that reflect your spiritual growth. A new “health consciousness” emerges such as more exercise and eating well or cutting out TV time.
Experiencing “Dark Night of the Soul”
A spiritual awakening can trigger a “dark night of the soul,” a period of emotional distress and intense introspection. It’s a painful and disorienting phase, often marked by feelings of despair, loss, and alienation. However, many see this as a necessary process of transformation and spiritual growth and emerge feeling like God has held them. The following poem written in the 16th century by St. John of the Cross sums it up beautifully (and check out Loreena McKennit’s song of it- simply beautiful)!
THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL POEM
Upon a darkened night
the flame of love was burning in my breast
And by a lantern bright
I fled my house while all in quiet rest
Shrouded by the night
And by the secret stair I quickly fled
The veil concealed my eyes
while all within lay quiet as the dead
Oh night thou was my guide
Oh night more loving than the rising sun
Oh night that joined the lover to the beloved one
transforming each of them into the other
Upon that misty night
in secrecy, beyond such mortal sight
Without a guide or light
than that which burned so deeply in my heart
That fire t’was led me on
and shone more bright than of the midday sun
To where he waited still
it was a place where no one else could come
Within my pounding heart
which kept itself entirely for him
He fell into his sleep
beneath the cedars all my love I gave
From o’er the fortress walls
the wind would brush his hair against his brow
And with its smoothest hand
caressed my every sense it would allow
I lost myself to him
and laid my face upon my lover’s breast
And care and grief grew dim
as in the morning’s mist became the light
There they dimmed amongst the lilies fair
st. john of the cross
Attraction to Meditation and Mindfulness
During a spiritual awakening, people often feel a pull towards practices that encourage mindfulness and inner peace, such as meditation or yoga. These help manage the intensity of a spiritual awakening, promoting relaxation and mental clarity. They become tools for exploring the inner self and fostering spiritual connection.
Increased Desire to Serve
Many individuals going through a spiritual awakening experience a strong desire to help others and make a positive impact on the world. This altruistic urge stems from a sense of interconnectedness and compassion. Service becomes a way of expressing love and contributing to the collective good.
Noticing the Beauty in Everyday Life
During a spiritual awakening, there’s often an increased appreciation for the beauty and wonder of everyday life. Simple moments can be experienced with a sense of awe and gratitude. This heightened appreciation can bring a lot of joy and wonder into daily life.
Losing Interest in Gossip and Superficial Conversations
Superficial conversations and gossip lose their appeal during a spiritual awakening. Instead, deep and meaningful conversations about life, philosophy, and personal growth become more fulfilling. Richer, more authentic connections with others emerges. Thank god! (There’s a notion that gossip is often weak people’s form of bonding.)
Feeling a Strong Connection with Animals
Many people experience a deepened empathy and connection with animals during a spiritual awakening. They find animals to be wise, comforting presences, and may even feel they can communicate with them on some level. This deep connection with animals can be a source of joy and companionship.
Physical Sensations
Some people report unusual physical sensations during their spiritual awakening, such as energy flows, tingles, or spontaneous body movements. These can be both intriguing and unsettling. They are often seen as signs of energetic shifts and spiritual opening.
Seeing Life as a Journey, Not a Destination
A shift often occurs in perspective, from seeing life as a series of goals to viewing it as a journey of growth and discovery. Success is redefined as personal and spiritual growth rather than external achievements. This shift can bring a sense of peace and patience, even during challenging times. Just be aware that it can be tempting to avoid everyday responsibilities. You want to balance your life, not destroy it.
Unexplainable Moments of Joy
People often experience spontaneous moments of joy and bliss during their spiritual awakening. They may not be linked to any external event but seem to arise from a deep inner peace and connection. They are glimpses of the joy and love that many spiritual traditions speak of.
Recognition of Ego’s Limitations
There’s often a recognition of the ego’s limitations and the distortions it can cause. You may see how the ego’s fears and desires have shaped your life and relationships. This understanding can lead to a gradual loosening of the ego’s grip, allowing for a more authentic and peaceful way of being.
Spiritual Awakening and Sudden Creativity
During a spiritual awakening, many people experience a surge in creativity. New ideas seem to flow, and new outlets for self-expression may be found. This creativity can bring a lot of joy and can often be a way of exploring and expressing the spiritual journey. Perhaps start a journal/art book to document your journey.
Attraction to Healing and Energy Work
Many people feel drawn to learn about or practice various forms of healing and energy work during their spiritual awakening. This could be motivated by a desire to heal oneself or to help others. These practices can become a significant part of the spiritual journey, offering tools for healing and transformation.
Desire to Declutter and Simplify
During a spiritual awakening, there’s often a need to declutter and simplify life. This can be on a physical level, such as cleaning out unnecessary possessions, but also on an emotional level, releasing unhelpful thoughts and relationships. This decluttering is often seen as creating space for new growth and insights.
Spiritual Awakening Means Letting Go of Judgment
One of the transformative aspects of a spiritual awakening is the letting go of judgement. This includes judgement towards oneself and others! It’s a move towards greater acceptance, compassion, and love, which can have a profound impact on your relationships and self-perception. Notice how curiosity and love opens up when you strip judgment out of your mind. (Just be aware that it’s OK to critically think- you don’t want to surrender common sense to spiritual oblivion).
Manifesting Desires Quickly
During a spiritual awakening, people often report that their thoughts and desires seem to manifest more quickly and clearly in their lives. This can be seen as a sign of heightened synchronicity or as evidence of the spiritual principle that our thoughts and emotions shape our reality. It can be an empowering experience, but also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with it.
Understanding the Illusion of Time
Many people experience a shift in their perception of time during a spiritual awakening. Time may seem to speed up, slow down, or seem irrelevant altogether. This changing perception of time often aligns with spiritual teachings that time is an illusion and that the present moment is all there truly is.
It’s crucial during times of intense inner change to heed the potential dark sides of it all. So next, let’s explore what can go wrong during a spiritual awakening.
Negative Outcomes of Spiritual Awakenings
Just because one starts to feel more open-minded, spiritual, and sensitive to the larger world doesn’t mean it’s always a positive thing. Many people “become spiritual” and just overlay their own psychological stuck-points and weaknesses with a spiritual veneer or show. Watch out for the following negative signs and symptoms that can occur when one becomes “spiritual” and think twice about whether you really are all that enlightened.
I can speak from first hand experience that in my 20s, I adopted many spiritual mindsets prematurely and thus committed some of the following self-sabotaging behaviors that ultimately negatively affected my life’s relationships, especially to myself, for a long time.
Judging Others and Feeling Superior to Others
A spiritual awakening might lead some to feel a sense of superiority over others who haven’t had similar experiences or insights. This can create separation and conflict with friends and family, and even within spiritual communities. Humility and compassion are essential in balancing these tendencies, fostering understanding and connection rather than division. Not everyone goes through this or cares about such things! Be humble and stay curious: life is better when you love people for who they are and stop trying to change them.
Temptation to Change Your Relationships
The profound shifts in values and beliefs during a spiritual awakening may create a temptation to change or leave existing relationships. While some changes may be necessary, acting hastily or forcing it on others can lead to unnecessary loss and pain. Thoughtful reflection and open communication with loved ones about the changes you’re experiencing can help in navigating this often confusing terrain.
Just because you’re feeling so “different” doesn’t mean you should abandon your people. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water! Supportive relationships come in many forms and people don’t have to align completely with your beliefs to be a good friend to you. Don’t be arrogant and clumsily take on a temptation to leave good relationships!
Avoiding Psychological Issues/Spiritual Bypassing
Spiritual bypassing refers to the misuse of spiritual beliefs to avoid dealing with emotional wounds or psychological issues. For example, someone might use concepts of forgiveness or detachment to ignore unresolved trauma or emotions. Or, you may meditation as a means to avoid challenging emotions and conflicts with others.
Though subtle, this avoidance can hinder genuine healing and growth. You may want to do professional counseling or therapy as a compliment to your awakening to assure you’re above board with your inner life.
Failing to Cope with “Real Life” Responsibilities
During a spiritual awakening, daily responsibilities like work, finances, or family duties might seem trivial or burdensome. However, neglecting these can lead to practical difficulties and stress. Finding a balance between spiritual exploration and daily responsibilities is vital for maintaining harmony and well-being in your life. Keep your feet on the ground while your mind explores the sky, so-to-speak!
Isolating Oneself During Spiritual Awakening
While solitude can be valuable during a spiritual awakening, excessive isolation can lead to loneliness and disconnection from support systems. And worse, because you’re identified as “spiritual”, you may misinterpret this as a good thing; that it’s all part of the process. But engaging only with spiritual pursuits and neglecting normal social connections can create an imbalance in life and cause real depression and hardship.
Seeking community or maintaining bonds with understanding friends and family can provide much-needed support and perspective. Isolating yourself can also be a form of egotistical behavior, arrogance, or a superiority complex where you feel “better than others” because you’re “spiritual.” Stay connected!
Increased Emotional Sensitivity and Negativity
Increased emotional sensitivity might make you more susceptible to negativity or the emotions of others. This can lead to emotional overload, making it difficult to cope with everyday life. Learning to manage this heightened sensitivity through grounding practices, protective techniques, or professional guidance can support emotional stability during this intense phase of growth.
You can also start to take yourself too seriously and over-analyze every thought and feeling you have. That’s not quite healthy. Take a laugh at yourself sometimes and don’t become a spiritual stooge or bore!
Thus, it’s important during a time of spiritual awakening to not only evaluate the positives and life-giving perceptions but any potentially damaging or dysfunctional ones as well. Use your spiritual awakening to better yourself and your relationships, not to separate yourself or make life overly complicated.
Using Spiritual Awakening for Self-Development
If you’re fortunate enough to experience such a profound experience as a spiritual awakening, you can do things that bring the experience to better your life and make it a true self-development path. Here are some ways to incorporate the value of this experience into your life and make it count in a practical, personal-growth way:
- Embrace Mindfulness Practices: Use the insights gained from spiritual awakening to cultivate mindfulness in daily life. Practicing meditation, deep breathing, or journaling can help you stay connected to the present moment and foster self-awareness.
- Set Intentional Goals: Align your personal and professional goals with the new values and insights revealed during spiritual awakening. This ensures that your actions and decisions are guided by your most authentic self.
- Build Supportive Community Connections: Seek out or create a community that resonates with your spiritual journey. Connecting with like-minded individuals can provide support, encouragement, and valuable perspectives as you continue to grow. Be kinder to people in your life and forge new relationships.
- Invest in Personal Growth and Education: Explore books, courses, or workshops that align with your spiritual insights. Whether it’s studying philosophy, learning healing techniques, or exploring creative outlets, continuous learning fosters self-development.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Recognize the importance of taking care of your body, mind, and spirit. This might include proper nutrition, regular exercise, engaging in hobbies, or seeking professional therapeutic support when needed.
- Balance Spiritual Exploration with Practical Responsibilities: Commit to your spiritual pursuits being balanced with daily responsibilities. Integrating spiritual insights with “real life” creates a holistic approach to self-development, enabling you to grow without neglecting essential duties. See the extraordinary in the ordinary, so-to-speak.
By approaching spiritual awakening with intention and awareness, these practical steps can guide you toward meaningful self-development and a fulfilling, balanced life.
Next, here’s a brief glance at my own spiritual awakening (comment below if you want to hear more about it! There’s SO much there, lol!)
My Personal Heroes Journey
It all started with hanging out with neo-hippies in my teen years going to jam-band field concerts in the 90s. I’d read a few books, The Celestine Prophesy and Conversations With God (anyone else?!) that got their teeth into me, making me wonder about mystical phenomena. This expanded into works by Krishnamurti, Yogananda, and Ken Wilbur.
It helped that I was raised in a progressive Catholic church that preached Jesus as a radical who loved sinners and was all about peace and love. I’d lost my faith in my teen years but was primed for rediscovering spirituality through popular 90s New Age books, shops, and, most of all, good music as I reached adulthood.
So when I turned 21, instead of sticking with college, I had this insatiable urge to break out of my mid-west hometown (symbolic of a need to break out of a depression) and live in California (The Heroes Call to Adventure). With little preparation and foresight, I hopped into my Toyota Corolla and drove the thousands of miles alone, nearly running out of money and bravery along the way (that time in Montana driving alone on a snowy mountain road when 3 huge moose crossed my path and I nearly slid off the road!).
I wound up at a Northern CA New Age (clothing optional!) retreat center working in housekeeping and exploring spiritual and alternative lifestyle concepts like yoga, vegetarianism, and meditation. As a naïve young woman exposed to an overwhelming amount of spiritual philosophies, other “seekers” (some who were bad news– see above link), and, let’s be real, pot, I went off the deep end and opened my mind so much that my brain nearly fell out (my Hero’s journey being nearly destroyed)!
Yet, I’ve gained invaluable life lessons and shed my childish skin. I met mentors, gained new understandings of what my depression was about, and developed lifestyle choices that helped address it. When I returned to the Midwest years later, I’d transformed into someone with new awareness of the possibilities for my life and then did college. It wasn’t all pretty, in fact, it was downright destructive at times, but it helped me grow. What about you? Have you had some kind of similar experience?
Cultivating Your Inner Life Through Spiritual Awakening
Finally, let’s remember that the best relationship we have in life is with ourself. We come into this world alone and die alone. Developing a friendship with ourselves is one of the best things we can do in life as from that place of inner kindness and insight we can shine outward onto our loved ones and the world. Take the gifts in a spiritual awakening and use them to cultivate your inner life and better your relationships, not destroy them.
Do art, write in a journal, and develop an inner dialogue or voice with yourself that reflects the love, peace, and interconnectedness you feel in your spiritual awakening. Then, you’ve truly made the experience a part of you. Share your experience with me in the comments or via email- I’d love to hear your journey!