Are You Having a Spiritual Awakening? Here Are Ten Ways to Tell.

Recently, I watched a Netflix series called Manifest. The premise was that a plane disappeared, and it was assumed to have crashed. After an extensive search, it was never located. Five years later, low and behold, it mysteriously reemerged, casually landing in a New York airport like nothing happened. The passengers and crew were shocked to realize they had been declared missing. No one had aged; people with illnesses needed no care; life had changed without them. 

Readjusting to a different world, they all started receiving “callings,” clear and intense instructions to do odd, illogical things. If they chose to not listen, the callings got more insistent until they did. They found out the life-or-death importance of these messages as well as unexpected, mysterious inter-connections and synchronicities would unfold.

Every calling recipient resisted, hiding their new ability, terrified to be perceived as strange. Watching each episode, I was reminded that much of the world is still judging spiritual awakenings as bizarre, mysterious, inexplicable and downright weird. They are even labeled as psychotic when “experts” don’t recognize these symptoms are common occurrences when the ego starts dissolving allowing the soul to come forward.   

To paraphrase Artem Boytsov, a spiritual teacher: “…when an awakening occurs one goes through the layers of one’s ego like an onion. Each layer is crazier than the previous one!”  

The Truth is, all humans are on an ongoing trek toward spiritual awakening, one onion layer at a time. It’s what we are here to accomplish whether we consciously know it or not. Sometimes it happens during everyday life; sometimes it happens on one’s deathbed.

The question is, what is a spiritual awakening, and how does it occur?

Are Spiritual Awakenings Explainable?

Although many have tried to describe spiritual awakenings, they are experiential and therefore difficult if not impossible to describe in words. They can range from subtle to earth shattering, but are always a unique, personal experience. 

Many seekers spend lifetimes attempting to attain one even without knowing what they’re striving for. They undertake countless techniques and programs hoping for dramatic, life-shifting results. They anticipate being able to walk-on-water or at least have an undeniable out-of-body experience. 

However, since spiritual awakenings are impossible to explain or control,  it’s like trying to learn to drive without understanding the concept of going places or even  having a car! 

Although innumerable books have been written about spiritual awakenings, one thing is guaranteed: They will not happen from reading accounts, researching or even diligently striving for one. Nor can they be faked.

However, there are some steps that can spur one along.

1. Check your motives.
   If you think you are ready, you just might be. But check inside to make sure your motives are pure. Trying to impress your friends, prove how cool you are or not have to deal with the physical world anymore will undoubtedly block an awakening. Determine a more pure reason and notice anything manipulative or ego-driven. 
2. Discover your authentic self.
   Doing inner work delivers a message to your spirit that you are committed to your awakening. It also affirms that it’s time to be consciously aware of other energetic dimensions. 
3. Work on acceptance.
   Do inner exploration to see what life is reflecting to you about your denied, suppressed issues,  your so-called weaknesses and self-defined flaws. Spiritual awakening involves not denying any aspect of yourself, not hiding or judging human emotions, or projecting them onto others. Rather, use buttons and triggers as ways to discover sources of your own limiting beliefs and mirrors of awakening. 
4. Appreciate your unique and innate strengths.
   They could be exposing your life purpose, the distinct contribution that only you can bring to the world, why you chose to be here. Spiritual awakening means knowing that your life is meaningful yet not needing to prove that it is. 
5. Begin releasing your attachment to the material world.
   Addiction to physical possessions, needing something external to make you happy or bring fulfillment can seriously hamper spiritual awakening. Enjoy the fun of being in a physical body, but know you are not your body. 
6. Struggling to get validation, approval, attention and love from others is a common trap.
   Work on knowing you are enough by discovering why you believe you aren’t. Do deep inner delving to  expedite this process,  allowing you to be the love you are seeking. 
7. Connect beyond yourself.
   Experience your energetic connection with all life so you no longer identify as a separate and divergent being. 
8. Don’t try to fake it.
   Learning ways to pretend to be spiritual, acting-as-if and doing all the “right” higher consciousness things will not get you any closer to an authentic spiritual awakening. Remember: Your spirit is in charge and knows the timeline. It can’t be hurried.

Signs to Recognize a Spiritual Awakening

I repeat myself: Each person’s  experience of spiritual awakening is different. Your Higher Consciousness specifically designs what will work best for you, and knows when you are truly ready.

Here are some universal signs to help you recognize what’s happening.

1. Your belief system is shifting.
   You are starting to perceive yourself, others and life with new eyes. Things you bought as true without question are changing. You are starting to think outside your comfort zone, challenging fears and limitations, risking to do things you never thought you would or could do.

2. You want to discover yourself.
   You have a new sense of inner curiosity, wanting to delve into self-discovery. You are becoming a different version of yourself and are drawn to things that will lead you there.  The more you discover, the more awakened you feel.

3. You’re interested in inner growth and real love.
   Your goals and desires are changing. You are less interested in accumulating possessions or obtaining happiness from an external place. You may want to live a simpler life, crave more meaningful experiences, truthful communication, deeper relationships and purposeful work.

4. You’re feeling emotions deeply.
   The journey of awakening consists of feeling human emotions that you may have suppressed. This can create inner turmoil as you question past choices and perhaps feel sadness, guilt or remorse. These reactions are common as you complete your process of releasing and moving on. Feel and embrace it all to achieve a profound sense of freedom.

5. You feel connected.
   As you awaken, you notice synchronicity, meaningful, unexpected events demonstrating that everything is interconnected. Why things happened make sense both now and from the past. It shows that you’re letting go of needing to control and are living a more trusting, empowered way.

6. You feel empathy and compassion.
   You start feeling less self-absorbed and more attuned to what others are experiencing and need. This sense of oneness allows you to become more compassionate and willing to assist when needed. Simultaneously, you trust peoples’ journeys without needing to rescue or even understand them logically.

7. You feel more joyfully alive.
   As you clarify who you are and let go of your past, joy rather than confusion becomes your M.O. You start to transcend fear of death. You know that you could not possibly be a failure or a disappointment. Your sense of inner connection allows you to feel present, fully experiencing each moment.

8. You are pulled to make a difference.
   You feel drawn to social or political causes, needing to do things that generate bigger changes. You sense that this is part of your life’s purpose and easily commit to it.

9. You’ve gone through an extreme event.
   Spiritual awakening often starts from experiencing a painful, emotional ordeal, a substantial loss of some kind. Traumas frequently catalyze enlightenment when you reflect on and learn from the Big Lessons being presented to you. You see these experiences as teachers, rather than tragedies.

10. You’re more aware of inner programming and triggers.
    Once you open the door wanting to awaken, examining your life becomes a priority. You become more aware of the frequency and power of triggered limiting programming. You are inspired to make big changes, awaken to your authentic self and your unique spiritual journey. You know there is nothing more important and you effortlessly commit to this transformational experience no matter the challenges.

Final words of wisdom from one who’s been there: Spiritual awakenings may not look at all as you expect, and there is usually no drum roll announcing them. They might be subtle and gradual or sudden. So, let go of preconceived notions about this life-shifting awakening, trust your journey and enjoy the ride! It’s guaranteed that you will get there, wherever there is!

TAKE ACTION: If you feel ready to explore who you are and what you are here to do, reach out to me at royce@roycemorales.com or visit my website at www.roycemorales.com.