Spiritual Awakening: Meaning, Sings, Symptomps & More

“Spiritual awakening is awakening from the dream of thought,” Eckhart Tolle.

What's Inside?

Spiritual Awareness: What It Is and If It Is!How Do I Know if I’m Going Through a Spiritual Awakening?What Does it Mean to Feel Spiritual?What causes Spiritual Awakening?Signs of Spiritual Awakening1. Belief in a higher power2. Forgiveness3. Allow Yourself to Feel the Pain4. Trusting your Gut5. Be Generous6. Accept your Blessings7. Live in the PresentSpiritual Awakening Symptoms1. Closely Observing your Actions2. Feeling in Sync with the Universe3. Letting Go4. Finding Inner Peace5. Heightened Intuition6. Trusting the Universe7. Increased Empathy8. No Fear of Death9. Being True to Yourself10. Thriving in Your Present StateConclusion

“I was 15 years old when my father passed away. Not knowing how to deal with the pain, I started looking inward for answers,” says Linda Lambert, a psychoanalyst, and spiritual guru.

Why is it that a few chosen ones must be subjected to this kind of pain? Why is life so unfair? If there is God, why does he allow such anguish to fall upon one? Nothing quite reminds us of the fragility of life as death.

As humans, our daily monotony tends to diminish our shine and curb our intuition. Instances like these are the rude awakenings that jolt us back to reality; a not-so-gentle reminder of a higher power.

The day you realize this and decide to go on a quest to understand it deeply, marks the beginning of your spiritual awakening.

Spiritual Awareness: What It Is and If It Is!

Spiritual awareness is the evolution of the soul on the physical plane. It is not necessary that one needs to go through a rather dramatic episode to become spiritually enlightened. You could one day simply wake up with the desire to live a life of dedicated purpose that goes beyond materialistic desires.

Without spiritual awakening, you could have all the money, power, and fame in the world and still have it will come to naught. (Because all the fame and fortune become your identity and you become nothing beyond it.) 

You don’t choose your spiritual awakening; it picks you. Spiritual awakening pushes us humans to live our truth. It is the end of the world as you know it. One usually experiences spiritual awakening when the soul is digressing from its life path; the sole reason it was put on this planet.

We are all aware that one is born into this world to learn the lessons meant for this lifetime. Once those lessons have been learned, the soul transcends from the physical body into higher planes. It only returns to the world when it is time to acquire more lessons to graduate and become one with the Light.

If you are experiencing a spiritual awakening, it is time for you to live a life of conscious growth and divine wisdom.

Deepak Chopra has been quoted saying that “spiritual awakening is your birthright”. (Read about Deepak Chopra’s 7 spiritual law of success here)

As sentient beings, we are inevitably destined for evolution.

And as a human, you are entitled to spiritual awakening, the ultimate progression.

How Do I Know if I’m Going Through a Spiritual Awakening?

The spiritually-awakened Beatles offered words of wisdom in their uber-famous track, “Across the Universe”.

In the song, “Jai Guru Deva” translates to “Hail to the divine guru” – the remover of darkness.

In the last 1960s, the Beatles became absorbed in transcendental meditation. The influence of their leader, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is highly evident through many of their songs in that era.

You don’t have to be a Beatle to bring about spiritual awareness, nor do you have to pack your bags and move to India. We can all ride the wave provided we are willing to surrender.

The spiritual awakening process changes your familiar sense of the world and yourself. If you have been sensing a change in your perception lately, you are most likely getting closer to understanding the meaning of spiritual awakening.

The experiences vary from person to person. One may experience a prolonged period of transition that can last anywhere from months to years. For others, it could be just a few days.

Spiritual awakening is the death of the ego. There is a feeling of separation from the world and surprisingly, also from yourself.

Similar to rousing from a dream, you did not even know you were in. During this process, most people find themselves wondering if there is more to life than what meets the eye.

This curiosity, which deep down we know to be true, may drive some to seek the guidance of a certain guru. Some may turn to books, while others may find themselves feverishly searching Google, trying to find something that would help them make sense of the world.

The process of spiritual awakening will give you glimpses of the greater reality. This discovery will be humbling. The egotistic mind will take a back seat, as you go on this illuminating journey of self-discovery.

As we grow older, society plays a huge role in defining our self-worth. Spiritual awakening breaks this cycle and frees you from this entanglement.

This does not mean that soon you will renounce worldly pleasures and move to the mountains to live a life of solitude!

Instead, you will begin to live life with less resistance as the ego, slowly but surely, slips away and you take your steps towards spiritual freedom, towards Nirvana/Moksha.

The dawn of awakening breaks the shackles that limit our minds, allowing us to perceive the world in its entirety.

We become aware of the magic of the universe and allow its blessings to flow into our lives freely. Empathy becomes a heightened emotion as we start feeling more connected to the ones around us.

As the Beatles said, “Nothing’s gonna change my world.” It is a profound realization that the events in the physical plane will not change your reality. Your reality is the universe, which is absolute and constant.

What Does it Mean to Feel Spiritual?

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience,” said Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, French philosopher.

Feeling spiritual is about returning to your source. The process of identifying who you were all along before your perception was blurred by the social order.

It is not a transformation but an attempt to preserve the true nature of the spirit. Individuals who feel spiritual carry a purple aura and are not easily affected by the happenings of the world.

Does it mean you stop experiencing emotions? Absolutely not. Spirituality is not the absence of emotions but an awareness that allows you to stay afloat when the sea gets rough.

Oprah Winfrey often discusses spirituality on her SuperSoul Sundays. In one of her episodes, India Arie talks about her spiritual turning point.

In 2009, she went through a series of impediments during her already exhausting cross-country tour, including a broken engagement.

Drained by the events, Arie quit the music industry to restore her health. On her road to recovery, she realized that it was her soul that was actually sick and manifesting itself in the form of physical ailments. “It was like I had aged 50 years”, she said.

It took a trip to Hawaii to trigger her spiritual awakening. “I felt this sense of calm. At that moment, I felt I was planted with a seed of trust,” said India Aries.

It taught her the importance of surrender and acceptance, which she used to nurse herself back to health and become, perhaps, spiritually enlightened.

Feeling spiritual has little to do with going to church every Sunday. It is a general sense of tranquility and stillness in your heart.

The daily church-goer may not necessarily be as spiritually awakened as one would think (Practicing religion and attaining a spiritual awakening are not necessarily synonymous.) One could probably learn more from the hippie aunt who never leaves home without her sage!

“You’re Not You” is not just a Hillary Swank movie but has a rather deep meaning in spirituality.

As you look at your reflection in the mirror, your mind straight goes to the imperfections. Do you feel triggered by them? Or do you not notice them at all, and just smile because you are grateful for this day?

If you can relate more to the latter, you have a diminished sense of ego – a sign of a spiritual being.

That annoying uncle who creates a fuss every time he doesn’t get to carve the Thanksgiving Turkey is definitely not your spiritual role model.

Let go of the “I”. Me, myself, my wants, my wishes, my desires; these hold no meaning for a spiritually-enlightened being. Spirituality lifts the veil of the ego, and you begin to live life with enhanced humility.

Spiritual beings always feel connected to the universe. Their thoughts and actions are aligned perfectly with the cosmos.

Who is to say that Nirvana is only to be achieved after one’s death? Spiritual awareness is the gateway to attaining paradise on earth.

What causes Spiritual Awakening?

Truth cannot be defined, nor can it be taught. While this is true, several things in a person’s life can trigger a spiritual awakening.

Signs of Spiritual Awakening

1. Belief in a higher power

Surrendering yourself to the higher power and believing that there are bigger things in play will almost always trigger a spiritual awakening. Religious individuals generally have an easier time believing in God and his miracles.

Surrender yourself to the universe and trust in its intentions for you. Embrace the feeling of being protected by its power. 

2. Forgiveness

When someone does you wrong, breathe and forgive. The act of forgiveness is brave and brings you in alignment with the universe. Forgiveness directly translates to a lack of ego, not to be confused with self-esteem. Letting go of hate, fear, and past hurt can be the signs of the spiritual awakening you were waiting to happen to you.

3. Allow Yourself to Feel the Pain

Recently lost a loved one. Or did you get your heart broken by the one that got away? Spirituality does not negate human emotions.

As we welcome positive emotions, we must also embrace negative ones. Grieving is a part of the healing process. It is important to ride that wave of emotions and let it pass. This ensures that there is no part of you holding on to the suffering, allowing you to be open to the blessings of the future.

4. Trusting your Gut

Intuition is often talked about in spirituality, but what does it truly mean to trust it? It means to let go of all inhibitions and believe in yourself completely.

Your intuition uses the wisdom of your own soul, as well as messages from your guardian angels. The feeling in your gut will tell you right from wrong. Quiet the noise and go within to search for answers. Your intuition will never fail you.

5. Be Generous

Ever felt overwhelmed by your little cousin who almost instinctively shared the last of his Halloween treats with you? Take a lesson from him and learn to be generous with what you have, no matter how little it is.

Being charitable will always take you closer to spirituality as generosity is second nature to the universe. Don’t hold back when it comes to love because you are afraid of getting hurt. Give it your all.

It will open up your heart and enhance your chakras, taking you that bit closer to spirituality.

6. Accept your Blessings

You are not defined by your past. Do not let it limit your future. The universe bestows its generosity on a heart that knows how to receive and be grateful. You are a deserving being and must believe in it completely to allow the miracles to flow in.

7. Live in the Present

Spirituality teaches us that the present moment is your only truth.

Buddha said,

“The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live, and that is the present.”

Meditation and chanting help bring the focus back to the here and now. Rejoice at the moment and be grateful for it.

Spiritual Awakening Symptoms

When the universe chooses to stir your spiritual awareness, you must pay close attention to the signs.

Whether it is a slow and steady process or an unprompted awakening, it is always characterized by a few phases that are typical of a spiritual awakening.

1. Closely Observing your Actions

In this stage, you will start to observe your behavior intently and identify patterns. What triggers you the most? Why do you lose your temper easily? Are you really a good friend? Some people may even feel the impulse to go into therapy. Anything that allows you to understand yourself better and set off on a journey of healing.

2. Feeling in Sync with the Universe

Life is not all about yourself anymore. Gradually, you start to feel connected to everything on this planet, from the animals to the plants to the fellow human beings. A sense of community begins to prevail. You become conscious of your usage and dispose of waste responsibly. Taking care of nature becomes important. You don’t feel alone anymore and delight in the bond that connects the whole universe.

3. Letting Go

As primal beings, we all have attachments. Spirituality allows you to detach yourself from what binds you. It is freeing as it liberates you from everything that holds you down. A person who has nothing to lose lives without fear.

4. Finding Inner Peace

You will feel a general sense of calm prevail over you. You are not easily triggered by events or accidents. You have a complete understanding of your nature and have resolved your past issues and hurt.

5. Heightened Intuition

As you become spiritually aware, your intuition grows stronger. Trusting your instincts and taking actions based on them makes them more intense. You will begin to recognize good and bad energies and choose your circle accordingly, all thanks to a great intuition.

6. Trusting the Universe

You are no longer bound by your limiting thoughts. With spirituality, you have come to realize that you are an unlimited being, just like the cosmos. This makes you open to the gifts of the world as you begin to manifest the life of your dreams.

7. Increased Empathy

As your sense of community increases, your compassion heightens. You will automatically feel empathy towards others as you realize that we are all essentially the same. Kindness will become second nature as you become mindful of how you treat others.

8. No Fear of Death

This may come as a surprise, but spiritually aware individuals do not fear death. In his book, Death and Beyond, Shri Shri Ravi Shankar talks about death being nature’s gift and something that should be celebrated.

9. Being True to Yourself

Your spiritual journey will encourage you to live your authentic life. You will not be ashamed of who you are and what you need to thrive as an individual. No longer will you be bothered by what others think of you and what they say. An individual who knows who he is seldom affected by the opinion of others.

10. Thriving in Your Present State

As spiritual beings, you begin to understand the mind-body connection. A happy mind yields a happy, healthy body, free of diseases and illnesses. Spirituality not only improves your mental state but also makes you prosper physically.

Conclusion

Spiritual awakening is not an oh-so-LA wellness trend, but a phase we all need to go through. It is the secret to a content and happy life.

Embark on your journey towards spiritual awakening. Awake and arise within yourself. Lead yourself to the higher path, to become the fuller version of yourself – a spiritual being bound and free as a human being.