7 Life-Changing Causes of Spiritual Awakening

Have you ever wondered the causes of a spiritual awakening? It can be caused by several major life experiences, both positive and negative, all of which have life-altering effects.

Spirituality is one’s sense of purpose or belonging in the world. It’s connected to whether or not you believe in a higher power, an afterlife, or what you believe your purpose is here on earth.

A spiritual awakening shifts the way you view these things.

There are many possible causes of spiritual awakening, but oftentimes they are major life-changing events that alter your perception of the world.

In this post you’ll learn, the causes of spiritual awakening, spiritual awakening symptoms, how to have a spiritual awakening, the stages of spiritual awakening, and what to do after a spiritual awakening.

This post is all about the causes of spiritual awakening!

 

What is a Spiritual Awakening?

A spiritual awakening, also known as, enlightenment, nirvana, or samadhi, is a concept found within many religions. It can be thought of as a call to higher consciousness and deeper mental awareness.

An awakening will shift your worldview and cause you to see things in a whole new way. You may feel like an entirely different person after an awakening, as many of your previous views on life are likely to have changed.

Having an awakening may cause you to feel afraid or uncertain at first. It may feel like your entire world is crumbling around you, but in time you will see how wonderful of an experience it truly is.

The modern interpretation of a spiritual awakening was popularized by pyschiatrist Carl Jung, who described it as a return to the original self.

 

Related: What is Spirituality? How Does It Differ From Religion?

 

8 Causes of Spiritual Awakening

There are many possible causes of a spiritual awakening. Many are large life-altering events, and others are more slow and gradual. They all, however, lead to the same result.

Some of these causes are:

 

 1. Life-Changing Events

Life-changing events such as losing your job, divorce, serious illness, or the death of a loved one can all lead to a spiritual awakening.

These events are likely to make you feel lost and unsure at first but can lead to profound changes in how you view the world and yourself.

Sometimes, who you thought you were must be destroyed to discover who you truly are.

 

 2. Trauma

Trauma can often feel like the worst thing that’s ever happened to you. It can break you down in unimaginable ways.

However, due to a phenomenon called post-traumatic growth, our struggle with trauma can also lead to positive psychological changes.

These changes can include, your self-perception, your relationships, and your overall philosophy of life, giving you a new more positive outlook on the world around you. This can lead people onto far greater paths than they would’ve walked if not for their experience with trauma.

Sometimes enduring the toughest battles can lead to the greatest prosperity, and trauma has a way of doing just that.

 

 3. Meditation & Other Spiritual Practices

Practices such as meditation, yoga, or prayer can help you connect to yourself on a deeper level.

Plus, meditation is scientifically proven to help your brain work in new ways.

Such practices help you connect to stillness and become more comfortable with simply being. As humans, we’re always so focused on doing that we don’t often make time to just be. By carving out this time and implementing these practices we allow for our minds to shift from doing to being, which in turn, facilitates spiritual growth.

 

 4. Psychedelic Experiences

Psychedelics can be a powerful tool for spiritual awakening, but they do, however, have their risks.

Hallucinogens have been tied to producing mystical effects. They can cause you to think in new ways and question your beliefs, often leading to lasting changes in one’s spiritual viewpoints.

 

 5. Travel

Travel can open you up to new outlooks and experiences. You may discover different ways of living and being that expose you to new perspectives.

Being out in nature and experiencing sacred sites can also bring forth new understandings. You may meet new people whose perspectives differ from yours, and greatly expand your viewpoints.

As you can see, travel can broaden your horizons in a multitude of ways.

 

 6. Learning About Spirituality

Reading spiritual books, and articles, or watching spiritual movies or documentaries, can offer opportunities for you to challenge your beliefs and be open to new perspectives.

They can provide you with spiritual practices such as meditation or mindfulness that you may begin to practice.

Learning more about spirituality is a great way to get you on the path to enlightenment!

 

 7. Relationships

Relationships are some of the most powerful life-changing events we can experience.

They often have the power to cause us great pain or great pleasure.

Deep romantic bonds can cause us to think about spirituality in ways we haven’t before. It can make you feel more connected to others through the bond you share with your partner.

On the other hand, unhealthy relationships can cause a lot of turmoil and break you down in ways you didn’t know possible. Toxic relationships can lead to spiritual growth once you learn to overcome your suffering.

 

Spiritual Awakening Symptoms

Now that you know the causes of a spiritual awakening, what are the symptoms?

Some of the signs and symptoms include:

• You feel alone or detached. You may feel you see the world differently from those around you.
• Reevaluating your beliefs.
• Having vivid dreams or deja vu.
• Experiencing signs or synchronicities. You may see repeating numbers or experience odd coincidences.
• Shifts in relationships. As your beliefs change you may feel less connected to the people you once felt close to.
• Spirituality becomes a more important part of your life.
• Your senses heighten and your intuition becomes stronger. You can more easily sense inauthenticity.
• You realize everyone has a unique path.
• You want to be of service to others.
• Spiritual teachers find you along your path.
• You connect more with nature and the natural world.
• Change in habits and routine. You may move away from unhealthy habits and replace them with positive alternatives.
• The world around you seems different. You have a newfound curiosity for life.
• Increased empathy. You feel more connected to the world and the people around you.

 

How to Have a Spiritual Awakening

Oftentimes, awakenings happen spontaneously when you’re least expecting it. They’re often due to a sudden or drastic change in your life that throws you off balance.

There are, however, ways you can try to have an awakening on purpose. In these cases, the awakening is likely to happen more gradually over time rather than a sudden change.

If you want to have a spiritual awakening try these:

• meditating
• practicing yoga
• getting out in nature
• read spiritual books and learn all you can
• examine and contemplate your beliefs

Through these practices, you should begin to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of spirituality. As well as feel more connected to yourself and the world around you.

You may also find it helps you manage your thoughts and emotions leading to a more stable and peaceful lifestyle.

 

Related: The 10 Best Spiritual Books You Should Read!

 

The Stages of Spiritual Awakening

There are many stages involved in the awakening process, which can help you know where you are in your journey. The most prominent of which is ego death; the death of who you believed you once were before discovering your true spiritual nature. However, as jarring as ego death can be it’s only one step in a life-long awakening process.

 

1. Awakening

The first step is awakening. This involves having an experience that makes you question yourself or the world around you. It causes you to stop and ask yourself why we do the things we do, and if those things even make sense. You may begin to question many of your long-held beliefs and values.

 

2. Dark Night of the Soul / Ego Death

This is the most challenging part of a spiritual awakening. You may isolate yourself, feeling lost and unsure of who you are. Your old beliefs are falling away and haven’t yet been replaced. You feel you’re walking on broken ground; the path ahead seems so uncertain.

 

3. Transformation

You’re becoming more clear on what resonates with you and what doesn’t. You let go of what no longer serves you and adopt new and healthier ways of being. You’re beginning to discover what brings you joy and happiness.

 

4. Integration

You’re discovering who you are and finding new habits and routines that work for you. The insights you’ve gained are taking root and setting you in motion. You’re trusting your intuition and doing what feels best for you.

 

5. Service

As you continue on your journey you may feel compelled to give back in some way. It could be helping out in your community or spreading spiritual awareness to those around you. Your new insights have given you a new lease on life and you have a burning desire to share it with others.

 

6. Surrender

You let go of any need for control and allow events to unfold around you knowing the universe has your back. You don’t have to fear because you know everything will always go according to plan.

 

7. Oneness

You have a deep knowing that everything in the universe is connected. You feel one with the people and planet around you and know that nothing is ever separate.

 

What to Do After a Spiritual Awakening

So, you’ve had an awakening, what now?

Well, you’ll likely discover that an awakening never really ends. There are always new things to learn and discover. After some time you may find yourself falling back into old patterns only to reach the same realizations again.

Awakening is a lifelong journey, and while you’ve likely had some revelations that shift the way you view the world, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to fall back into the way things were. People like what’s easy and comfortable and an awakening pushes you far beyond those boundaries.

You may feel guided to make certain changes that you simply don’t want to make because it feels too challenging. You may begin to question societal norms when you would much rather stay safely encased in the box that’s been laid before you.

Soon enough, you’ll discover that your awakening was just the beginning of your spiritual journey and it’s the choices you make every day moving forward that will determine who you are. So, choose wisely.

 

As you can see, there are many life-altering causes of a spiritual awakening. It pushes you past your limits and causes you to question the very fabric of who you are. And ultimately, your spiritual journey never really ends. So, even after your awakening be sure to stick to your new habits, they’ll be sure to help you out along the way.

 

by Morgan Peters

 

Other Posts You May Like:

The Relationship Between Spirituality & Mental Health

The Law of Attraction Meaning & Methods

The Law of Detachment Definition

 

Sources:

Gifford, Bonnie Evie. “Am I Having a Spiritual Awakening?” Happiful Magazine, 29 Oct. 2022, happiful.com/am-i-having-a-spiritual-awakening.