Are You Experiencing a Spiritual Awakening?

Dive into the world of spiritual awakening: signs, stages, and more

Co-authored by Jennifer McVey, Cht and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: March 21, 2023 References

Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening

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What is a spiritual awakening?

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What triggers a spiritual awakening?

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7 Stages of a Spiritual Awakening

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Spiritual Practices to Further Your Awakening

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Tips

Craving enlightenment? Hoping to broaden your mind and find something more out of life? If so, you may be on the verge of a spiritual awakening. But what, exactly, does that mean and how can you tell if you’re experiencing one? That’s where we come in. We’ll cover the signs of a spiritual awakening, explain what causes it, walk you through the stages many people experience, and even give you tips to help you further your spiritual journey.

Things You Should Know

A common sign of a spiritual awakening is feeling connected to the world around you. You may also feel more curious, intuitive, empathetic, or grateful.
A spiritual awakening is a shift in perspective. It often leads to increased compassion, respect, and tolerance for those around you and a sense of peace.
Oftentimes, a spiritual awakening is caused by a life event, either positive or negative, like a divorce or death, or achieving a dream or goal.
Try practicing meditation, mindfulness, and gratitude to further your spiritual journey.

Section 1 of 5:

Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening

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Seeking change Feeling tired of your usual routine and longing for something more? Seeking new experiences and relationships could mean you’re on the verge of a spiritual awakening, especially if you’re ready to let go of habits that no longer serve you.^{[1]
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Curiosity Suddenly fascinated by the world around you? Have the desire to learn about things that never piqued your interest before? Embrace it and indulge your curiosity! Explore new places or dive into unknown subjects to gain knowledge and perspective.^{[2]
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Connection If you feel a deep sense of connection to the world around you, you may be on the path to enlightenment. Maybe you’re feeling less judgmental and more connected to other people or the animals, flora, and fauna we share the planet with.^{[3]
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Increased intuition Do you find yourself more in tune with yourself and the world around you? You might experience more instinctive "gut" feelings that you can't necessarily explain. Trust your intuition about the people around you and the decisions you're faced with.^{[4]
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Growing empathy If you’re seized by compassion for those around you and feel very aware of other people’s emotions, it’s a good sign you’re in the midst of a spiritual awakening.^{[5]
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Changes in beliefs You might start analyzing your beliefs and wondering where they came from. It’s common to review and even discard old beliefs and also acquire new ones as you experience a spiritual awakening.^{[6]
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Emotional strength You might worry less, have fewer fears, or let go of guilt. Maybe you’re able to easily brush off criticism or forgive old hurts. It's a good thing if you're able to separate yourself from your emotions and look at things more objectively.^{[7]
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Feeling peace As you let go of bad habits and relationships and develop compassion and empathy, you'll feel a sense of peace you may not have experienced before. Some parts of a spiritual awakening can be uncomfortable, but know that where you'll end up is worth it.^{[8]
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Synchronicity with nature You might have strong urges to visit the mountains or sea or hike through a nature preserve. Or, things like butterflies or flowers might catch your attention more than usual. Being distracted by the beauty of nature and wanting to spend time away from the man-made world are common during a spiritual awakening.^{[9]
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Heightened senses Are you picking up on sounds you hadn’t noticed before? Or perhaps the colors around you seem more vivid than usual. Tune in to your senses and enjoy the human experience.^{[10]
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Déjà vu Many people who’ve experienced a spiritual awakening report that they frequently felt a sense of déjà vu.^{[11]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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Physical sensations Experiencing tingling or electric energy are common during a spiritual awakening. Pay attention to your physical body as you undergo a spiritual awakening.^{[13]
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Changes in sleep patterns You may need more or less sleep than usual. You could find yourself getting up earlier and feeling energized, or craving more rest and deep sleep. You might also remember your dreams more than usual or have particularly vivid ones.^{[14]
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Changes in weight or diet Did you recently decide to give up junk food or alcohol? Maybe you’re drawn to fruits and veggies more than before or don’t have as much of an appetite as you used to.^{[15]
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Feeling disconnected You may feel disconnected from your emotions, thoughts, memories, or surroundings. If these feelings are overwhelming or concerning, though, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional for help.^{[16]
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Section 2 of 5:

What is a spiritual awakening?

A spiritual awakening is a shift in conscious awareness. It’s about seeing the bigger picture and realizing that every living thing is connected and deserving of compassion, respect, and empathy.^{[17]
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Research source} Some consider a spiritual awakening to be a “death” of the ego, or sense of self, and a return to the nature of love.^{[18]
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- A spiritual awakening can also be referred to as enlightenment or nirvana.
- Spiritual awakening tends to happen gradually over time, rather than instantaneously. It can be both a positive and negative experience, depending on the signs and stages you experience.
- Carl Jung, a famous Swiss psychiatrist, theorized that people can’t feel fulfilled unless they put in emotional work to find spiritual fulfillment, or awakening, in life.^{[19]
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Section 3 of 5:

What triggers a spiritual awakening?

A spiritual awakening is often triggered by major life changes. A recent illness, tragedy, or trauma may have sparked a spiritual awakening for you, though it differs from person to person. Things like divorce, a global pandemic, losing a loved one, or even losing your job can cause a paradigm shift.^{[20]
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- Not all triggers are negative, though. If you recently found your twin flame or soul mate, realized a dream you had, met a goal you set, or had a particularly enlightening meditation experience, it may be the catalyst for a spiritual awakening.

Section 4 of 5:

7 Stages of a Spiritual Awakening

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Awakening Do you feel compelled to change your routine, way of thinking, or habits? This is often the first stage of the spiritual journey. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary to set you on the path to enlightenment.^{[21]
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Dark night of the soul If you feel cut off from a higher power, whether you believe in God or the Divine, you may feel lost. This is a common experience for those who are going through a spiritual awakening, and is referred to as the “dark night of the soul.” Acknowledge what you feel and what you’re going through, and know that you’ll get through this.^{[22]
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- Don’t be afraid to reach out for help from a qualified mental health professional if you’re feeling overwhelmed or depressed.
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Sponge This stage involves soaking up knowledge just like a sponge. Spend time learning about different religions and philosophies and try out practices or rituals to figure out what feels right for you.^{[23]
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Emergence of self Also known as the “satoru self” from the Japanese Buddhist term for “comprehension,” in this stage you begin to understand your true self. Explore your interests and recognize and appreciate the skills, talents, and gifts you have.^{[24]
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Soul work This stage is all about growing, learning, and healing. Build a life that really supports and nurtures your mind, body, and soul. For many, this is the longest stage in a spiritual awakening and could last for many years.^{[25]
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Surrender Let go of material possessions, habits, and even people and relationships who no longer support you. Surrendering your old life allows you to adopt a new one.^{[26]
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Awareness This is the final stage of a spiritual awakening. Embrace your divinity and the power of your love and light. Make it your mission to spread that light to the world! Honor your true self, commit to happiness, and live your passion.^{[27]
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Section 5 of 5:

Spiritual Practices to Further Your Awakening

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Meditation Meditation is a great way to center yourself, relax your body, quiet your mind, and awaken your spirit! Spend time sitting still to deepen your understanding of yourself, others, and the world.^{[28]
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Mindfulness In your everyday life, aim to be fully present in the moment. Let go of distractions and focus on the experiences you are having. Pay attention to your surroundings, actions, and emotions. Look for joy and beauty in each moment.^{[29]
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Gratitude Practice gratitude by focusing on the positives in your life and being thankful for both the big and small things that bring you comfort, happiness, and safety. Try writing letters that express your gratitude, either in general or to specific people whom you are grateful for.^{[30]
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Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
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