6 Life-Changing Stages of Spiritual Awakening | Spirituality & Health

This is often the darkest, lowest point of the journey. In this phase we are in complete despair, and we know that something has to happen in our life, something drastic and meaningful, or else there will be a death in us. This is the ego death in initiation.

We may even become isolated from others (and even ourselves) and feel the heaviness of the world. Actor Jim Carrey has said that “depression is your avatar telling you it’s tired of being the character you’re trying to play.” This is the theme of the second phase of spiritual awakening: the character you’ve been playing is retiring.

This is the explorer phase, where you aren’t sure what you want, but you know clearly what you don’t want. As you start to chip away at all things that no longer resonate, you create more space for what is true and in alignment with your reality.

This looks like experimentation with new hobbies, jobs, people, and experiences. You start to fill the void with things that bring you peace and joy: writing, art, more time in nature, getting a new pet, astrology, healing modalities, new books, and new friends are all very common in this phase. It's the sponge phase because you’re soaking new ideas.

This next stage is not to be rushed. In truth, it can take months, years, even decades. It is the true you emerging and developing a structure for your spiritual self to exist and thrive. The soul is growing, and as you learn more about yourself, you start to implement new tools, routines, rituals, and strategies to help you stay aligned to your true self.

This looks like working with new coaches, teachers, meditations, and healing practices. Reiki, essential oils, crystal healing therapy—the list of healing modalities is endless. The soul’s mission in this stage is to discover what works best.

In this stage, you’ve done so much internal work and you may be living in more balance, peace, and harmony than you were in earlier stages of spiritual awakening. Now it’s time to fully let go. Let go of who you thought you were so you can be all you are destined and truly meant to be. Having become familiar with your true self, as you let go, give your true self permission to shine.

Everything that was created by your ego will now fall away. This includes patterns, habits, people, situations—everything that is no longer in alignment with your soul’s highest expression.

The last stage is full awareness of your divinity, your light, and your love. You no longer live in a place of ego, and spreading your light is your mission and service to the world. You do this by honoring your joy and living your passion. Doing what you love daily is one of the highest forms of happiness, and by committing to this happiness, you help to uplift the world. You understand joy is your birthright, and peace is your priority.