Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Awakening: Signs, Stages and Tips
Source: Content Pixie
A spiritual awakening changes your life forever.
If you’re currently going through a spiritual awakening, I’m so excited for you! You’re now on the path to becoming a lighter, more peaceful you.
Not sure if you’re experiencing a spiritual awakening? Here’s what it means.
A spiritual awakening is a process of transformation during which you experience a profound shift in consciousness. This change in awareness leads to a greater sense of connection with your true self and with the world around you.
Even though an awakening can bring many positive changes to your life, it can be a bumpy ride. Along the way, you might feel lost and confused. Or feel like you’re losing your mind (which you literally are btw – more about this later).
But because spiritual awakening can come in so many forms, it’s hard to say exactly what you’ll experience. I went through my first major awakening about five years into my spiritual journey. Was I awakening before that? Yes. But just at a much slower pace. Ultimately, a health scare accelerated my spiritual growth, leading to a more profound awakening experience.
In this post, I’ll go over what a spiritual awakening really is, the signs and symptoms that often come with an awakening, what stages you can expect, and some tips and tools that can help you on your journey.
What Is a Spiritual Awakening?
A spiritual awakening is a major shift in your consciousness and perception of reality. It’s often described as a moment of awakening to the truth of who you really are.
This shift happens when you move beyond the limited view of your ego – the part of your mind that constructed your sense of self – and start to align with your higher self or soul.
This process of letting go of what you believe is your personality can be a bit unnerving. Especially when you don’t know what’s happening. Spiritual awakenings often cause intense emotional and even physical symptoms.
But hang in there! Once you come out on the other side, you’ll find yourself feeling more alive, blissful, and connected than ever before.
Spiritual awakenings can happen many times throughout your life. Your awakening experience might feel dramatic if it’s the first time you’re seeing the world in an entirely new light.
As you continue on your spiritual journey, you keep expanding into higher states of consciousness. It’s an ongoing process of soul awakening. Along the way, you may experience sudden big shifts or more gradual, subtle transformations.
➡ Related Post: What is the Higher Self? Understanding Your Inner Power
What Causes a Spiritual Awakening?
A spiritual awakening can be triggered by anything, from a major life change to simply an inner realization that there is more to life than what we perceive with our senses.
However, here are some common triggers that can bring on a spiritual awakening, such as:
A life-changing event (e.g., a job loss, loss of a loved one, or a serious illness)
A near-death experience
Intense emotional or psychological experiences
Exposure to new ideas and beliefs
A meditation or mindfulness practice
A psychedelic experience
These types of events often force us to question life as we know it and see things in a different light. This phase of intense questioning is known as the dark night of the soul. It can be a confusing and isolating experience, but it ultimately leads to our awakening.
➡ Related Post: What is a Dark Night of the Soul?
25 Signs & Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening
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During a spiritual awakening you can experience a wide range of symptoms, as you’re releasing old beliefs and patterns that no longer serve you. Here are some common signs or symptoms that can happen during your awakening process:
Emotional ups and downs, including periods of bliss, joy, or sadness.
Questioning the nature of reality and the meaning of life.
Heightened sense of awareness and perception.
Feeling a deeper connection to nature and all living beings.
Increased intuition or spiritual abilities.
Profound shifts in beliefs and perspectives.
Intense desire for self-discovery and self-realization.
Physical sensations such as tingling, vibrations, or energy movements.
Increased empathy and compassion for others.
Feeling a deep longing for a higher purpose or spiritual path.
Enhanced creativity and inspiration.
A sense of oneness and interconnectedness with the universe.
Increased sensitivity to the energy of people and environments.
Changes in sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping.
Needing alone time for introspection and reflection.
Unexplained or sudden changes in your diet or eating habits.
Release of past traumas and emotional baggage.
Feeling a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for life.
Loss of interest in superficial or materialistic aspects of life.
Increased interest in spiritual practices, meditation, or energy healing.
A sense of inner peace and contentment.
Noticing synchronicities (repeating numbers or topics).
Dreams become more vivid and full of symbolism.
Your relationships begin to shift.
Trust and surrender to the flow of life.
5 Stages of a Spiritual Awakening
Everyone’s journey is unique and there’s no right or wrong way to experience a spiritual awakening. That said, what can you expect when you are on your awakening journey? Below I’ve outlined the spiritual awakening stages that many people go through. However, you may go through these in a different order, not experience some at all, or move back and forth between certain stages.
1. Dissatisfaction or disconnection
During the first stage of a spiritual awakening, you start to question your values and beliefs, often after a life-changing event. You may feel like nothing makes sense anymore, and that your life is lacking meaning and purpose (aka the dark night of the soul). Often people feel intense discomfort, confusion, and disconnection from their life during this time.
2. Seeking
In the second stage, you start to obsessively look for answers to your questions about life and spirituality. You might start reading spiritual books, learning about astrology, binge-watching spiritual videos on YouTube, or seeking out a teacher or a mentor.
3. Awakening
This is when you experience a sudden and profound shift in your consciousness. You may get hit by a moment of clarity or an epiphany that changes your entire perspective on life. You start to feel lighter and more at ease than you’ve ever felt before.
4. Integration
After the initial awakening, you may feel the urge to make changes in your life. Now that you see past the illusions of so-called reality, you start releasing what no longer serves you – whether that’s beliefs, lifestyle, possessions, jobs, or relationships.
5. Expansion
During this phase, you continue to let go of your ego and learn to trust in the universe or a higher power. You experience an increased sense of inner peace and connection to something greater than yourself.
Spiritual Awakening Tips & Tools
Source: Content Pixie
If you’re well on your way on this spiritual awakening journey, what can you do to make this ride a little smoother? Here are some tips and tools that I recommend:
Take Epsom salt baths - Not only are Epsom salt baths relaxing, but they also help release excess energy that you’ve picked up during the day.
Meditate regularly - Meditation helps quiet your mind, improves self-awareness, and creates a deeper connection with your inner self and the spiritual realm.
Set boundaries - Be mindful of your boundaries while you’re going through this change. It might mean saying “no” to more social events or other commitments.
Spend time in nature - Spend time in time in nature regularly. It helps you ground and boosts feelings of happiness and well-being.
Connect with like-minded people - Join a spiritual community online or find a Meetup group in your area.
Do energy work - Explore energy healing modalities like Reiki, acupuncture, or breathwork. These practices can help clear energetic blockages and balance your energy centers.
Practice intuitive eating - Listen to your body’s signals and honor its needs. Your dietary preferences might change.
Use crystals - Learn about crystals and their unique properties. Use them for meditation, energy healing, or creating a sacred space.
Journal - Write down your insights, thoughts, and experiences in a spiritual journal so you can keep track of your progress and growth.
Follow your intuition - Learn to listen to your inner voice and follow the path that resonates with your true self.
Read and learn - Read books, listen to podcasts, attend workshops, and watch videos that resonate with your journey. I found YouTube to be an amazing resource, as well as Gaia (kind of like a spiritual Netflix).
Get support - Find a spiritual mentor, teacher, or guide who can provide support and guidance on your journey.
Create daily rituals - Create meaningful rituals in your daily life such as setting intentions, practicing gratitude, or pulling a tarot card.
Sound Healing - The sound vibrations of a sound bath can harmonize your energy and induce a sense of peace.
Drink water - Drinking lots of (mineral or filtered) water helps improve your energy levels and may alleviate some of your awakening symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Going through a spiritual awakening is a deeply transformative experience. Even though it can feel uncomfortable and confusing at times, know that you are in the process of unlocking your spiritual gifts and creating a life of ease and joy.
You got this!
XO 💕
Annie
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