It has been on my heart to discuss this topic as well as some of my own story of my spiritual awakening. Today I am discussing what a spiritual awakening is. You may be seeing a lot of people discussing this online and I think this will probably only increase in the months and years to come.
My own spiritual awakening process began several years back and God has recently started nudging me to discuss this topic. I believe this is because even more people are either beginning or will be embarking on a spiritual awakening this year. So, today, I am going to discuss:
- What a spiritual awakening is.
- Some of the signs and symptoms of a spiritual awakening.
- How to navigate a spiritual awakening.
In some respects, I have been on a spiritual awakening since a young age. I started questioning everything, every aspect of existence as far back as I can remember. I remember being at my grandma’s house trying to fall asleep at a very young age wondering things like ‘why are we here?’ or ‘what if we Earth is just a tiny spec on the palm of a giant’s hand?’ and other such questions.
As I got older, I started questioning religion and wondering what the truth really was. I understood enough to know that religion was largely created by man, that it seemed to create a lot of fighting among people all through history, and that nobody seemed to be able to agree on what the “truth” really is. I was raised Catholic and as I got older I veered off this path and became fascinated with witchcraft, specifically Wicca, which I studied thoroughly and practiced for about 15 years. Eventually, I came to realize that that too didn’t really answer my fundamental questions of what the truth is or what God is or why are we here?
Later, I reached a point of simply accepting that I definitely believed there is a God, but as for the “truth” of what God really is or which story (aka religion) was an accurate reflection of that was to remain a mystery for some time. When I found myself at the end of my rope in my marriage after making a discovery that was unsettling at best, I had no where else to turn but to God. This led me into a Christian church in the months after my ex-husband moved out and marked the beginning of my first real relationship with God.
I continued to deepen my relationship with God and attend church for the many years. This carried me through some of the darkest points in my life. I even experienced things I can only describe as supernatural in these years, which changed my “belief” in God to knowing God. In this time, I started to hear God louder and more often and started learning how to follow His guidance, even when I was scared or unsure. I’d had enough experience with Him to know I could always trust His guidance.
Fast forward to about a year ago and God has since led me out of the church. This isn’t meant to be a criticism of church or any particular church, to be clear. It seems to have served to lead me further within myself, closer to Him, and closer to the truth, which is that God isn’t “out there” somewhere; He is not in a building, or a group, or even some distant place we cannot reach. God is within each of us.
This wasn’t some burning bush moment in which I suddenly came t understand this, it was an evolution; and evolution that occurred as a result of my continuing to seek truth and understand from God. I have come to understand that He simply met me where I was at the time I first reached up, nearly a decade ago, and led me to the things I have come to understand today. This was my spiritual awakening and I continue to learn and grow spiritually. I can only assume it is equally unique and personal for everyone.
All that said, I also believe many of us started to have a spiritual awakening or to deepen the one we were in, in the past 3-4 years. I also believe many more will begin their spiritual awakening journey if this hasn’t already started to happen. So, let’s delve into this.
1. What is a spiritual awakening?
A spiritual awakening is a profound and transformative experience that transcends the boundaries of our everyday existence. It’s like opening the door to a new realm of consciousness, where the mind, body, and soul align in perfect harmony. But what exactly does it mean to undergo a spiritual awakening?
Let’s start by breaking down the concept. A spiritual awakening is a process of inner awakening, where an individual becomes aware of their true nature and connection to something greater than themselves. It’s not confined to any specific religious or cultural context but is a universal phenomenon that can occur to anyone, anywhere.
This awakening often brings about a heightened sense of awareness, a deep connection with the present moment, and a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all life. It’s a journey that goes beyond the surface level of our existence, inviting us to explore the depths of our consciousness.
2. Signs that you are experiencing a spiritual awakening.
So, how do you know if you’re experiencing a spiritual awakening? It often manifests through a series of signs and symptoms. These can include a heightened intuition, and a few others I’ll touch on as well. For me, it started with questions as I could no longer ignore or try to explain away things that don’t add up – things you have been told growing up, things you have been taught are true, but they start to feel like they aren’t true. And this is one of the keys, it is a feeling that not everything is quite as it seems.
In a spiritual awakening your intuition starts kicking in and getting louder and louder and you gradually start to feel like it is more and more difficult to continue to participate in day-to-day life in the same way. Another sign that you are in a spiritual awakening is a fairly substantial shift in perspective. For example, you may find your focus expands beyond the things that used to be of the highest importance to you; these things may start to feel less important, even small. You may start to feel that there is more to life, more to our reality, and that you have a greater purpose.
Another sign is if you start to desire personal growth. You may start reading and watching different things than in the past. Things that used to interest you will no longer interest you as much if at all. This was one of the first things I noticed. I stopped having interest in movies or TV shows. I started reading various self-help and personal growth books and I started investing in myself and my growth. Finally, as your move through your spiritual awakening another thing you will start to experience is a profound sense of inner peace. It’s not uncommon to feel a sense of detachment from material possessions and a deeper connection to nature.
It’s essential to recognize that a spiritual awakening is a unique and personal experience. The signs may vary from person to person, but the underlying essence remains the same – a journey towards self-realization and spiritual enlightenment.
3. How to navigate a spiritual awakening.
While it might sound wonderful, a spiritual awakening can be lonely and challenging at times. I’ve come to understand this is because you are being guided to go within and so a period of isolation is often part of it. It often involves facing aspects of ourselves that we may have ignored or suppressed. Embracing mindfulness practices, meditation, and self-reflection can be powerful tools to navigate this transformative process. I have covered these practices in depth in previous episodes if you want more information about these.
Remember, friends, you are not alone on this journey. Seek guidance from spiritual mentors, connect with like-minded individuals, and embrace the wisdom of ancient spiritual teachings. The path of awakening is unique for each of us, but the shared journey creates a beautiful tapestry of collective consciousness. Join my private Faith Fitness Joy Facebook group to access such a community, or you can reach out to me to find out about working with me privately.
As I wrap up for now, I encourage you to embrace the unfolding of your spiritual journey. A spiritual awakening is not a destination but a continuous exploration of the self and the cosmos. Thank you for stopping by and reading this. I hope this has given you some clarity on what a spiritual awakening is.