We are living in a time of great spiritual shift on this planet. More and more people are awakening, which can be a very disconcerting experience, but understanding the process can help us navigate it with more ease. If you find yourself reading this, it is not by coincidence. May the information presented here bring you comfort and understanding on your journey.
Disclaimer: Many of my creations are a sharing of personal experiences. Others are reflections based on my perceptions and ruminations. And some are born from something beyond personal experience or thought; something I do not yet comprehend or embody, but aspire to. Regardless of the source, everything I create is filtered through my current perspective and consciousness and therefore, should be considered exploratory theory, not fact. Always exercise discernment when consuming content, including this content.
This content was originally posted on April 4, 2023.
WHAT IS AWAKENING?
I think of awakening as becoming aware of something you weren't previously cognizant of. There are different types of awakening. This article addresses awakening to spiritual truth. The article "Truth Rising" addresses awakening to the current dark realities of our physical world, and "The Revelation" (coming soon) will address societal/cultural awakening.
What can trigger an awakening varies from person to person. It could be a spontaneous occurrence happening for no apparent reason, a gradual experience, or one triggered by a major life event, often a challenging one, such as losing a loved one, a near-death experience, a shocking global event, etc. Even reading a particular book, meeting a specific person, or travelling to a certain place can trigger an awakening. The avenues are endless.
This article presents the spiritual awakening process in stages; however, there are countless ways to navigate it. Some steps may not apply to you, or you may encounter something not listed here. You may experience numerous stages simultaneously, cycle within a stage (or two or three) repeatedly, or flow through them step by step. What is presented here is a simplified version of my own journey, but everyone's experience will differ. One thing all people who undergo any type of awakening typically share is that it is extremely challenging and profoundly impacts their mental, emotional, physical, and energetic states. I share my story so others may know they are not alone in the challenges they encounter.
A quick sidenote here to briefly summarize what I mean by "ascension" since I reference it throughout this article. To me, ascension is the process of expansion in consciousness that allows for the comprehension of multidimensionality and the capacity to anchor higher aspects of the spiritual self into this physical reality. This is a massive oversimplification of an extraordinarily complex concept. I cover my perspective of this process in more depth in the article "The Shift."
THE STAGES
Stage 1: The Wake Up
As stated above, what triggers each individual to wake up is unique to them. My initial awakening occurred after my father died when I was 28 years old, and I began experiencing things I couldn't explain. I went searching for answers and stumbled into metaphysics. And so began my long journey of discovery.
Stage 2: The Collection
This phase can occur during or after Stage 3, but for me, it came first: an insatiable thirst for understanding that led to the consumption of every metaphysical topic I could find. But knowledge is not enlightenment, and the endless pursuit of information can lead to stagnation in this stage. This can be especially true if we come to spirituality in search of relief from our suffering, which can cause us to treat it as a distraction from our troubles. A mental vacation where we bliss out on concepts of love and light and dream of manifesting our best life. However, unbeknownst to many of us new to the path, authentic spiritual development requires much more than collecting information and positive thinking; it requires facing our pain, which most of us have spent a lifetime (or lifetimes, plural) avoiding and repressing. Eventually (hopefully), one realizes that the endless collection of spiritual concepts without proper integration through healing and embodiment is not a genuine ascension path. For that, one must move through the dark night and isolation stages.
Stage 3: The Dark Night/Ego Death
The dark night of the soul is a lightning bolt to your life. It rocks your world and makes you question everything you ever thought you knew. It can feel like you are going insane, or worse, that you are dying. In theory, a part of you is.
It is in the dark night where you will face many things: unprocessed emotions, wounding, trauma, karma, anything and everything you have repressed, misaligned belief systems and much more. The unintegrated aspects of self unveiled in the dark night are referred to as the shadow. It is a common misconception that our shadow is bad, when in reality it is just the rejected parts of ourselves, pieces we repress out of the often subconscious fear of facing them. It is natural to avoid pain, and even necessary in some circumstances. But if we repress these parts of self long-term, they become more entrenched and influential, leading us to make self-sabotaging life choices. The dark night requires us to shine a light on our shadow and acknowledge what it is trying to show us so that we may transmute and release the trapped dense energy within. The shadow is not meant to be feared; it is an integral and powerful aspect of self that is the key to ascension.
As we do shadow work, we will be called to review all that we have created and accepted in our lives under the influence of our subconscious shadow aspects. People, situations, environments, mindsets, belief systems, behaviours, possessions, and possibly your entire life will come up for assessment. You will become aware of all the mistreatment you have allowed in your life (including all the unloving things you have done to yourself) and all the ways you have mistreated others. This is not easy, and your ego will fight you every step of the way.
The ego, in this context, is the mental construct you have subconsciously created of yourself and the world. It is shaped by a myriad of influences, including past experiences, upbringing, belief systems, and society, among others. Within the dark night, we begin to question reality and everything that has formed the ego self as it presently exists. The ego perceives this as a form of death, which is why it resists so intensely.
The ego is not inherently negative. In fact, we need it in this physical realm. But before awakening, we are unaware of the ego's presence and how it ushers us through life, usually from a state of underlying fearful conditioning. We think the ego is us, our self, our identity, when in reality it is a mental construct. Spiritual awakening is the process of becoming aware of this and moving into a conscious state of observing the ego self while remembering the true self.
There are varying versions of the ego as we shift from unconscious to conscious, ranging from unintegrated (or unhealed or unevolved, for lack of better terminology) to integrated. An unhealed ego attempts to keep us safe by avoiding change, because it equates familiarity with safety. Even when what is familiar is unhealthy, an unevolved ego would rather stay in the known misery than transform (aka undergo an ego death). This is why some people resist or reject their ascension path.
The term "ego death" does not refer to the permanent extermination of the ego (impossible). Rather, it is the repeated transformation of the ego as we move upwards through the spiral of consciousness. If we choose a healing path, we will experience many ego deaths and rebirths along the way.
The times you spend in the dark night will be some of the most challenging of your life. You will be called to face every aspect of self and release all that does not support your evolution. Nothing is easy or comfortable here. It is not uncommon for people to abandon the ascension path at this point, returning to their lifestyle prior to awakening or perhaps choosing to swim in the shallows of pop culture spirituality permanently.
For me, I swam in the shallows for years, choosing to accumulate information over inner work. My ego kept me here, but I was completely unaware of this and believed I was fully participating in the process. But in reality, I was attempting spiritual development without doing the necessary shadow work. Finally, I surrendered to the dark night and took the plunge inward (as detailed in my blog series "Struggle into Surrender").
Not everyone has signed up to experience an awakening in this lifetime, which is why it is important not to force others onto this path. I believe it is something the soul chooses before incarnation. However, opting out of an awakening is possible even if we are scheduled for it because we all have free will here. But the soul is very powerful, and if it has a particular path or purpose it wants to follow in this lifetime, it will repeatedly push us towards awakening. If we continue to resist, it may lead to a collapse or crisis in our lives, in which anything we cling to that is not in alignment with our true selves will be forcibly removed. This will only happen if we resist the process. It is highly recommended to surrender control and allow the soul to guide you.
The concept of dark night/ego death is extremely complex, and I am barely scratching the surface. You can find more information in the Resources section posted at the bottom of this article.
Stage 4: Isolation/Integration
A period of isolation is common during spiritual awakening. New energy is being introduced into our lives, and we must embody it and release what it calls us to release. A period of isolation, and possibly inaction, is typically required to undertake this integration. This stage often coincides with the collection stage, as we cycle between taking in information and embodying it.
Not everyone physically isolates themselves in this stage (they may just not disclose what they are experiencing to others), but for most people, it does include a period of physical isolation. If you need to isolate, you will feel an instinctive urge to do so. My isolation phase has been interspersed with brief periods of exposure throughout, but has been mostly solitary and extensive, lasting years.
Taking the time to integrate can feel difficult. I really struggled because the urge to rush toward some nonexistent destination, to accumulate endless information without integration, and to DO something (anything!) was extremely dominant. Modern Western society conditions us to believe that what we view as inaction holds no value, and overcoming this belief was extremely challenging for me. I found it helpful to think of integration as cocooning like a caterpillar. A full transformation was underway, and trying to force it was not helpful. I eventually learned that rushing the process only prolongs the difficult parts.
Stage 5: Rebirth
Rebirth is an emergence from the cocoon, and like the isolation phase, it can occur at any time during this process or be attempted (and abandoned) multiple times. Like a newly hatched butterfly, we are vulnerable at this stage, and sometimes the energies surrounding us as we emerge aren't supportive enough to make us feel safe. However, it is important to note that remaining isolated beyond its usefulness is also possible. You may need to push yourself out of your comfort zone at some point.
Rebirth can be very challenging. You have evolved energetically. People may not understand your shift or even be aware that it happened, and you may feel pressure from individuals or society to revert to your old self. When we shift, people can sense this on a subconscious level and may attempt to pull us back to our former state. Feeling a shift they are not ready to undertake themselves is very uncomfortable for some. Think of the times when we make a life change for our betterment, such as quitting alcohol or adopting a healthy eating habit. How many people pressure you to resume old habits? It is your responsibility to establish healthy boundaries in this scenario. Developing the awareness and inner strength to do this can take significant time and practice.
At some point, if you learn to maintain boundaries, a shift will occur where the repressive energies no longer have the power to contain you. Perhaps the source of that energy is no longer in your life, or it just doesn't have the same effect on you. Or maybe you have managed to release the compulsion to live your life as dictated by societal/cultural norms, in favour of one that feels authentic to you. Some experiences will still feel uncomfortable and challenging, but a noticeable change has occurred. Throughout the awakening process, your self-love and acceptance will strengthen. Sovereignty, confidence, authenticity and the ability to show up as your true self are cultivated. This will take time and practice, but it will happen, provided you follow your intuitive nudges along the way.
The same concept of death and rebirth also applies to collective energies. We are moving through a time of great shift on our planet. And as such, old energies are being released en masse, which we will all feel. In the coming years, the density will intensify as it is released from the collective field. It can be extremely challenging to navigate this process, finding a balance between being exposed to the dense energies without being consumed by them, but it will be required of us. We are not meant to fear the darkness, but to face it so that it can be transmuted and released, both within and without.
We must take care of ourselves as we awaken and navigate the challenging ascension processes occurring on Earth at this time. Establishing a self-care routine will be essential during this transition. You can find more information on practices that you may find helpful in the Resources section below.
THE LAYERS
Summarizing this process may make it seem simple, but in reality, it is incredibly complex and challenging. It is not the case that we awaken, move through this process once, and reach a destination. There is always another layer as we evolve through the spiral of consciousness. However, we must remember that awakening and ascension are not tasks to be checked off a list; they are a way of life. Approaching energetic evolution with a mindset of reaching a finish line is counterproductive, for there is no finish line.
THE TRAPS
As we take this journey, many "traps" lie in wait along the way. They aren't negative; they exist to gift us lessons and serve as initiation points. Regardless, they can be extremely challenging. These are a few examples (far from all) I have personally struggled with.
1) Redundancy
It often happens on the spiritual journey that we replace the belief that we must always be achieving with the belief that we must always be healing, or else we will somehow become redundant (which modern society teaches us is a negative thing to be avoided at all costs). But the truth is that we all have innate value, regardless of how "useful" we are, how much we achieve or how much we heal. There is no such thing as healed perfection. Personal growth is useful, but like the compulsion to endlessly achieve, it can become an addiction.
I find it helpful to think of healing (inner work, personal growth, etc.) not as something to do, but as something to be: a state that is ever-present in the background of life, guiding us to be intentional with our thoughts, choices, and actions. Of course, there are periods when specific modalities may be required, but there is no need to force.
2) Racing
It is important to avoid putting ourselves in some non-existent race to "get there." In truth, this is merely an attempt to outrun our pain, which will only lead us into a loop of repeating cycles. This process will unfold organically, and there is no need to rush. Evolution takes time. And we must remember to enjoy life along the way.
3) Repression/Obsession
Many of us are taught to repress our trauma and emotions, and this is a major cause of our personal and collective suffering in the world today. Everything we repress will inevitably surface one way or another. The longer we ignore it, the stronger it becomes (in an attempt to gain our attention). Repression only prolongs the inevitable and makes the eventual release more destructive.
The tendency to repress can also develop from misconstrued spiritual teachings that inaccurately prompt us to believe that observing, feeling, or thinking something "negative" will attract more of it into our lives. But our thoughts are a barometer of our inner and subconscious states, and our emotions are an indicator of how we are responding to those states; they are here to inform us and should be addressed, not bypassed.
Alternatively, it is possible to swing to the other end of the spectrum and become overly identified with pain and trauma to an almost compulsive level, which can lead to a grievance mindset and a sense of victimhood. We must learn to be aware of shadow (internal and external) without becoming hyper-focused on it: to observe the thought, not believe it; to feel the feeling, not attach to it; to acknowledge the trauma, not relive it; to observe the darkness, not obsess over it.
4) Righteousness
As we acquire experience and knowledge along this journey, it is easy to slip into self-righteousness, believing we know more or better than others. The ego is very tricky and will find ways to gain power, even on a spiritual journey (often especially so). Releasing judgmental, controlling, and righteous tendencies will be required.
5) Regret
The biggest challenge on the spiritual path may be forgiving self. It is common for feelings of deep guilt, shame and regret to surface due to past actions taken while existing at a different level of consciousness. Regret is a signal that we need to change our behaviour. There is no changing the past, but we can take accountability and begin doing better now that we know better. Dwelling in regret serves no purpose except to hold us back from bettering ourselves and our actions in the world.
THE REMEDIES
There are many "traps" along the path of spiritual awakening, but thankfully, there are also remedies. The supportive practices of allowing, acceptance, presence, balance, emotional processing, beginner's mind, and forgiveness are guiding lights through the darkness of awakening. I am currently working on a Sacred Skills Series that will detail these and other practices we will all need to cultivate on this journey. But for now, additional information is offered in the Resources section below.
INNER WORK TO OUTER CHANGE
These are challenging times, but it is these challenges that wake us up. Everyone who chooses to undertake this journey has a profound impact, positively influencing humanity's collective consciousness. However, we cannot expect tangible change in our physical world unless we enact it. For that, we must awaken our minds, heal our hearts, and then rise into accountability and action. This is how we will change our world. This is why we are here.
This content was originally posted on April 4, 2023.
Up Next: Truth Rising
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NEW: RESOURCES (2026)
MENTIONED READS
The Revelation (coming soon)
DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL / EGO DEATH
"The spiritual path, romanticized as a serene journey, oftentimes leads us through treacherous terrains, known as "the dark night of the soul" and the profound "ego death". These terms, while mystical, encapsulate feelings of profound lostness, a sense of not knowing who we are, and a deep yearning for meaning. It's the equivalent of being lost in a dense forest at midnight with no compass, no light, and no direction. But like any journey, there's potential here; potential for growth, understanding, and a transformative rebirth." (Vesotera, Dark Night of the Soul & Ego Death Explained). Are you experiencing a dark night of the soul? Get clarity and understanding here:
Dark Night of the Soul and Ego Death Explained
7 Signs You're Experiencing a Dark Night of the Soul
The Difference Between the Ego Self and Your True Self
REMEDIES
Implement these supportive practices to help you overcome the "traps" commonly encountered along the path of awakening:
-Allowing, Acceptance and Presence
How to Practice Presence on a Daily Basis
Practical Tips to Stay Present and in Stillness
Why Accepting Difficulties Makes Life Easier
How to Reduce Anxiety and Fear
-Balance
The Deep Meaning of Yin and Yang
Yin Yang: Master Gu shares 2 powerful ideas
-Emotional processing
Willingness: How to Feel Your Feelings
Release Suppressed Emotions (Guided Meditation)
-Beginner's Mind
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind ~ Shunryu Suzuki Roshi ~ Zen Buddhism
-Forgiveness
Forgive Yourself for Past Mistakes: A 5-Step Process
Should we ask Trauma Survivors to Forgive
SELF-CARE PRACTICES
Support your awakening journey with these self-care practices. What works for each individual varies greatly. Find what works for you and practice it regularly.
-Boundaries
Spiritual Awakening Signs (Setting Boundaries)
How to Set Boundaries: 7 Tips for the Spiritually Awake
-Therapy
-Exercise
How Exercise Transforms Your Mind, Body and Spirit
-Breathwork
-Prayer
A short guide on how to talk with God, not to God
-Meditation
The 7 Different Types of Meditation
How to Meditate for Beginners – A Definitive Guide
Mental Reset in 5 Minutes (Guided Meditation)
-Grounding
Scientific Reasons Why Earthing and Grounding Works
6 Ways Grounding Can Transform Your Spiritual Awakening
-Visualization
How to Visualize for Beginners
Visualization Meditation - Radiate Light for World Peace
-Energetic Maintenance
-Connect