Tag: inner peace

The 7 Stages of Spiritual Development

The 7 Stages of Spiritual Development

Posted on by famouscapybara60

You are a spiritual being and have the potential to fully embrace your spirituality. However, like everything in life, embarking on your spiritual path is a choice. In life you are presented with several choices leading to new stages of development. Initially, most progress along the same path but, at certain points, you have choices—whether to stay immersed in the status quo world or to explore the splendors of your spiritual journey. These choices can appear at any time during your life; the key is to stay alert and listen to the wisdom of your heart. Keep reading in this website https://miramarretreat.org/ to know all the information about it.

Stage 1: Innocence

You are born into a material world, where your life is dominated by your lower three chakras. You enter the world in a state of innocence and as long as you are healthy and have a loving family, you live in a world of joy and bliss. You still have a strong connection to the Divine and the field of the Absolute from which your consciousness just emerged. The spiritual being is still very much awake. However, for most this memory begins to fade as you are taught how to “fit in” and you become distracted by the world around you. A rare few manage to maintain their Divine connection and enjoy spiritual greatness.

Stage 2: Fear, Ego

As you grow, the ego emerges and soon you realize that you are completely at the mercy of all around you. The pure love you have experienced up until now begins to be overshadowed by fear and its corresponding emotions. You find that to get what you want, you have to please those in charge. You develop your personality and begin creating all the stories that will shape and define your life.

Stage 3: Power

In your desire to overcome fear, you create success in your life. You become educated, start your careers and family. You want to have control to eliminate fear. You accumulate things to give you a sense of security.

The 7 Stages of Spiritual Development

First Choice

For many people, further growth and spiritual development ends here. You choose to continue to be consumed with material desires, you seek more and more power and control. Your life becomes self-centered and you remain at Stage 3.

For others, a feeling that there is more to life begins to dawn. Rather than just accumulating possessions and power, you look for a deeper meaning to life. You start to awaken spiritually and continue to Stage 4.

Stage 4: Giving

In this stage, you begin to realize that there is more to life than personal power and material gain. You ask yourself how you can help others, how can you serve the world around you. You become comfortable with giving as well as receiving.

However, giving can also create a sense of power. At this stage, giving can often still be ego driven. You give because you expect some form of recognition or because it makes you feel good about yourself.

Second Choice

You can continue to give from the level of ego, always expecting something in return for your giving. This obviously can have a lot of merit, and you can do many good things in the world. However, it leaves a constriction to your full spiritual growth.

The opportunity of your second choice is when you begin to give from the level of love and compassion without any concern for recognition or reward. Your giving becomes selfless and your true spiritual journey begins.

Stage 5: The Seeker

Now you begin your regular spiritual practices. The longing for Enlightenment grows within you. Your decisions now come mostly from the fourth chakra, the heart center.

You begin to look for the deeper meaning of things. You try to understand why you are here and how you can make your life more meaningful. You may study with teachers and gurus. You read books and practice techniques. You have glimpses of the goal that encourages you to remain on the path.

The throat chakra opens as you express the qualities of the heart in your life.

Stage 6: The Sage

Cosmic Consciousness dawns. Your mind fully awakens. You become the witness of your actions and realize that you are the role player in the multitude of roles you play. The fear of death dissolves as you realize that life is just another role. Simple yogic powers become available to us. However, there is still a separation between the giver and the recipient.

Third Choice

You have now reached another critical junction point in your journey. Your mind is fully awake but some ego is still present. The choice or mistake here is to believe that you are something special. You mistakenly think you have reached the goal and may promote yourself as such. The end is in sight but you have allowed the ego to hide it from view and you remain stuck in a false sense of spiritual attainment.

The alternative choice is to recognize the ego but not succumb to it, to allow it to find its place harmoniously within the whole. You continue your journey with humility and devotion. Giving is done purely for the sake of giving. “What’s in it for me” becomes “How can I serve?”

Insight and spiritual inspiration begin to grow, you hear the voice of the inner guru as the sixth chakra opens.

Stage 7: Spirit

Your heart now fully awakens. You experience Divine and Unity Consciousness.

There is no longer any separation. No giver, given, or giving. No sense of “I” or “me,” just an awareness of Oneness. You still live “in the world,” but are no longer “of the world.”

Your spiritual practice is Pure Joy. All the chakras are open, spiritual energy flows freely.

Choicelessness

When you reach the seventh stage there are no longer choices. You function totally in harmony with nature. Everything is provided exactly as needed, at exactly the right moment. You are the Totality.

As you progress though these stages, the material world seems very attractive at first while the spiritual might seem empty and hard but, if followed, it eventually leads to the experience of the True Self and eternal bliss.

There is nothing lacking in the life of a great yogi. He or she doesn’t feel that anything has been given up. In fact, it’s the reverse—great yogis feel that by not following a spiritual path, eternal bliss has been renounced for the sake of a few passing moments of happiness. The material world is like a dry garden waiting for knowledge of the Divine to make it bloom. In the material world you only have the energy of the body, on the spiritual path you tap into Divine Consciousness, Cosmic Energy. The material world is a prison, the spiritual path leads to unbounded freedom.

You are always at a junction in your path, Truth or illusion, material or eternal. The ego will constantly try to keep its limiting hold on you. Choose wisely. Everything you do is a spiritual act if you do it with awareness. Find your path and inner peace.

Be regular and disciplined with your spiritual practice. Don’t be disheartened if you wander off. Ultimately your spiritual journey becomes your way of life, like a lush oasis in the desert of mundane living.

The Stoic: 9 Principles to Help You Keep Calm in Chaos

The Stoic: 9 Principles to Help You Keep Calm in Chaos

Posted on by famouscapybara60

Not only does philosophy teach us how to live well and become better humans, but it can also aid in overcoming life’s trials and tribulations. Some schools of thought are for more abstract thinking and debate, whereas others are tools that are immediately practical to our current endeavors.

The principles within Stoicism are, perhaps, the most relevant and practical sets of rules for entrepreneurs, writers, and artists of all kinds. The Stoics focus on two things:

  1. How can we lead a fulfilling, happy life?
  2. How can we become better human beings?

The goal of Stoicism is to attain inner peace by overcoming adversity, practicing self-control, being conscious of our impulses, realizing our ephemeral nature and the short time allotted—these were all meditative practices that helped them live with their nature and not against it. It’s important that we understand the obstacles that we face and not run from them; it’s vital that we learn to transmute them into fuel to feed our fire.

It’s important that we understand the obstacles that we face and not run from them.

Our guides to Stoicism today will be its three renowned leaders: Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca.

Epictetus was born a slave at about A.D. 55 in Hierapolis, Phrygia, located in the eastern borders of the Roman Empire. Early in his life he had a passion for philosophy, and with permission from his owner, he studied Stoic philosophy under the master Gaius Musonius Rufus. After Nero’s death—the fifth Roman emperor who ruled with tyranny and cruelty—Epictetus began to teach philosophy in Rome and then later in Greece where he founded a philosophical school teaching Stoicism—among his students was the future emperor of Rome, Marcus Aurelius.

Marcus Aurelius was born in A.D. 121, considered one of the greatest Roman emperors to have ever lived, and wrote in his journal during the dull moments of a war campaign. In his journal, which inadvertently became the book Meditations, served as reminders for Stoic principles that focused on humility, self-awareness, service, death, nature, and more.

Seneca was also a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, a tutor and advisor to Nero. His work involves dozens of essays and 124 letters that involve topics like education, friendship, civil duty, moral obligation, humility, self-awareness, self-denial, and more. He had many admirers like Montaigne, Tom Wolfe, Emerson, and John Stuart Mill.

The Stoic: 9 Principles to Help You Keep Calm in Chaos

I’m going to share some of my favorite principles from the Stoic school of philosophy, most of them pertaining to these three thinkers. If embraced and exercised regularly, Stoic tenets will champion your creativity, facilitate your workflow, and improve your overall state of mind and life. Creative work requires us to be vulnerable, committed, adaptive, and courageous, and that requires a mindset that can readily negate distractions or negative impulses while focusing our hearts and minds on what’s important. It’s a tough balancing act.

Without a philosophy to guide our work and life, we will relentlessly succumb to our excuses and distractions. We will make the comfortable mistake of acting on our moods (“I’m just not feeling it today”) and not on our principles.

1. Acknowledge that all emotions come from within

“Today I escaped anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions — not outside.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

It is not outside forces that make us feel something, it is what we tell ourselves that create our feelings. A blank document, canvas, or unmarked to-do list is not inherently stressful—it’s your thoughts that are stressing you out.

Many of us want to place blame and responsibility on external objects because it’s easy to do, but the truth remains that all conflicts start internally, in our minds. When we flee from reality—a deadline, an urgent email—we are doing nothing but harming ourselves and undermining our self-discipline.

The next time you run into an obstacle and feel resistance, don’t look at what’s around you. Instead, look within.

It is not outside forces that make us feel something, it is what we tell ourselves that create our feelings.

2. Find someone you respect, and use them to stay honest

“Choose someone whose way of life as well as words, and whose very face as mirroring the character that lies behind it, have won your approval. Be always pointing him out to yourself either as your guardian or as your model. This is a need, in my view, for someone as a standard against which our characters can measure themselves. Without a ruler to do it against you won’t make the crooked straight.” — Seneca, Letters From a Stoic

When I first started my blog and called myself a writer, who could I look up to? The courses at my university were irrelevant to my aspirations and desires. Luckily, the Internet provided access to great writers, their stories, work, and admonishments. I can point to someone I respect and say, “Ah, look at the value they provide, their work ethic, their platform—that is worth learning from.”

Whatever you do—create apps, draw portraits, write books, or make animation films—there are individuals that you can learn from. You can study their story, works, techniques, successes and failures. You can listen to interviews or even reach out to them by sending an email. You can discover patterns of success and apply it to your life.

What’s important to realize is that this isn’t an exercise of comparison. If you don’t get a book deal in eight months or if your product doesn’t hit #1 in the first week, like your role model, that doesn’t make you a failure. Instead, how can you learn from your heroes? How are their teachings and principles helping you grow, learn, and create? Everyone, no matter how successful they are, has heroes/mentors to look towards.

3. Recognize there is life after failure 

“Does what’s happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforwardness, and all other qualities that allow a person’s nature to fulfill itself? So remember this principle when something threatens to cause you pain: the thing itself was no misfortune at all; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

You can spend months or even years on a project, only to watch it be criticized, or worse, ignored. I once worked on a project thinking that it would do fairly well. I spent an entire year on it, and it was my most vulnerable work to date.

The outcome was similar to having a baby and all the doctors laughing out loud, saying, “My goodness that is an ugly baby.”

That’s what failure feels like when you share a part of you. But recovering from that failure is a practice, a mindset—in fact, the lessons that I internalized from that experience is helping me do better work. The thinking goes: No failure, no growth.

No failure, no growth.

4. Read purposefully, and apply your knowledge

“Don’t just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person. Books are the training weights of the mind. They are very helpful, but it would be a bad mistake to suppose that one has made progress simply by having internalized their contents.” — Epictetus, The Art of Living 

Reading books on marketing or business or creativity will supply endless dots that have potential for connection to develop a more in-depth awareness, but what will ultimately make you effective at that craft is by applying it. Reading prepares your mind, even helps you avoid foolish mistakes, but at the end of it all there must be the result of some action: a failure, maybe a success, or a lesson.

The purpose of education is to internalize knowledge but ultimately spark action and facilitate wiser decisions. Reading self-help books will, in that moment, make you feel inspired for a change. But are you following your principles when you have a troll, rude customer, or angry stranger in your face?

5. Challenge yourself to be brutally honest

“‘A consciousness of wrongdoing is the first step to salvation.’ This remark of Epicurus’ is to me a very good one. For a person who is not aware that he is doing anything wrong has no desire to be put right. You have to catch yourself doing it before you can reform. Some people boast about their failings: can you imagine someone who counts his faults as merits ever giving thought to their cure? So—to the best of your ability—demonstrate your own guilt, conduct inquiries of your own into all the evidence against yourself. Play the first part of prosecutor, then of judge and finally of pleader in mitigation. Be harsh with yourself at times.” — Seneca, Letters From a Stoic

It’s hard to change habits if you aren’t aware as to why you didn’t do your work today and chose to watch Netflix instead.

It’s important to be mindful of the urges that obstruct us from showing up, engaging, committing, and being present. “Why, exactly, am I feeling this way?” Get to the bottom of that. Investigate it. Dissect it. When you feel resistance, use that as a cue to go forward. The challenge, of course, is training yourself to think that way.

This isn’t about talent or some unconscious reflex. The practice of self-awareness—to think about your thinking—in how you think, feel, and behave is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

When you feel resistance, use that as a cue to go forward.

6. Reflect on what you spend the most time on 

“A key point to bear in mind: The value of attentiveness varies in proportion to its object. You’re better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

That troll on your Twitter feed? It’s probably best to not respond. You don’t need to tell them where the unfollow button is located; I’m positive they know. That email? I know it’s fun connecting, but can it wait?

In my own observations, people who do excellent work, who master their craft, do so because of their ability to prioritize. They honor every hour of their day. If we put cameras behind our heroes, would our work ethic compare? Our focus? Our determination to get things done?

The other day I was genuinely shocked at how much time I spent spectating on Instagram, watching other people live their lives and eat boats of sushi. Although these little breaks throughout our days are okay, we must be mindful of how we interact with our distractions (or is that addictions?).

A lot of spectating and flicking our finger on Guerrilla Glass is time that could be spent creating the stuff that people want to see.

7. Remind yourself: you weren’t meant to procrastinate.

Whenever I have trouble waking up or getting started, I read this passage:

“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work—as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for—the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?—But it’s nicer here…

So you were born to feel ‘nice’? Instead of doings things and experiencing them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands? 

—But we have to sleep sometime…

Agreed. But nature set a limit on that—as it did on eating and drinking. And you’re over the limit. You’ve had more than enough of that. But not of working. There you’re still below your quota. You don’t love yourself enough. Or you’d love your nature too, and what it demands of you. People who love what they do wear themselves down doing it, they even forget to wash or eat. Do you have less respect for your own nature than the engraver does for engraving, the dancer for dance, the miser for money or the social climber for status? When they’re really possessed by what they do, they’d rather stop eating and sleeping than give up practicing their arts.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

8. Put the phone away and be present

“Nothing, to my way of thinking, is a better proof of a well ordered mind than a man’s ability to stop just where he is and pass some time in his own company.” — Seneca, Letters From a Stoic

It’s not that we live in an age of distractions, but rather an age where we are failing to teach and embrace mindful motives. To me, a child in a restaurant playing a game on her iPad is no different than an adult flicking through Instagram when friends are around. Both scenarios are moments of connection (to the people around you, not through your screen), communication, and enjoyment.

To be present as well as learning to be alone is a habit. Some people are really good at it because they make time to do it—in fact, they need it or else they would go mad.

Throughout your day find a moment, however fleeting, to just sit and be still. Doesn’t matter where you are. Take a few deep breathes, put your phone on vibrate so there’s no chance of interruption, and just reflect on the series of events that took place throughout your day. When you’re working, be ruthlessly present. Let your mind focus on the task at hand, what you’re trying to accomplish, and do it with diligence, patience, attentiveness, and care. Sooner or later, you’ll realize how much of an asset this is to your creativity and overall quality of life.

When you’re working, be ruthlessly present.

9. Remind yourself that time is our most precious resource

“Not to live as if you had endless years ahead of you. Death overshadows you. While you’re alive and able — be good.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 

What I particularly love and find challenging about Stoicism is that death is at the forefront of their thoughts. They realized the ephemeral nature of humans and how this is repeated in many facets of life.

It provides a sense of urgency, to realize that you’ve lived a certain number of hours and the hours ahead of you are not guaranteed as the ones you have lived. When I think of this I realize that everyday truly is an opportunity to improve, not in a cliché kind of way, but to learn to honestly appreciate what we are capable of achieving and how we are very responsible for the quality of our lives.

This makes our self-respect, work ethic, generosity, self-awareness, attention, and growth evermore important. The last thing any of us wants to do is die with regret, hence why following principles of Stoicism puts your life into perspective. It humbles you and should also deeply motivate you.

Lastly, in the words of Seneca, “We should hunt out the helpful pieces of teaching and the spirited and noble-minded sayings which are capable of immediate practical application–not far far-fetched or archaic expressions or extravagant metaphors and figures of speech–and learn them so well that words become works.”

The way we lead our lives and do our work must embody the principles that we practice. Less comparing, criticizing, and consuming; more creating, learning, and living.

Spiritual Awakening: Definition, Signs and Symptoms

Spiritual Awakening: Definition, Signs and Symptoms

Posted on by famouscapybara60

Spiritual awakening is a profound experience that is often described as a deep connection to the divine, a deep understanding of the nature of life, or a sense of inner growth and transformation. It can bring a sense of peace and oneness, and it can provide a greater understanding of one’s purpose and the meaning of life. Spiritual awakening can also be seen as a journey of self-discovery, as well as an opportunity to gain insight into the spiritual truths of the universe. Regardless of the form it takes, spiritual enlightenment can be an incredibly powerful and life-changing experience. If you are looking for answers about life and the universe then you get in the right place to learn, in https://miramarretreat.org/ you may benefit from exploring the definition, signs and symptoms of spiritual awakening.

What is spiritual awakening?

Spiritual awakening is a term that has been used to describe a variety of experiences. Throughout history, different spiritual paths have used various terms to describe spiritual awakening, including enlightenment, salvation, liberation, and self-realization. In the yoga tradition, this process is described using the terms Kundalini awakening, Moksha, and Samadhi. In Buddhism, the term Nirvana is often used. While the terminology may differ, the core spiritual experience remains the same or very similar.

Spiritual awakening is the experience of one or more profound shifts in consciousness that brings about a greater understanding of the mystery of life and the interconnectedness of all things. These mystical experiences can vary greatly, but typically involve a deep sense of peace and joy, a deeper connection to one’s true self, and an understanding of one’s place in the greater universe. It is a shift in consciousness in which a person moves from identifying with the physical body and mind to recognizing a deeper connection with the divine or the oneness of the universe.

Spiritual awakenings can vary greatly depending on the individual, and can range from a subtle shift in awareness to a complete transformation of the person. They can take the form of a religious experience or it can be purely spiritual in nature. They can be the result of a deliberate spiritual practice, such as meditation, or they can happen spontaneously. A moment of awakening can be a quick or very slow process that unfolds over time. These spiritual experiences can be very subtle and difficult to recognize, or quite profound. In some cases, people may experience a range of spiritual awakenings over the course of their lives.

Spiritual Awakening: Definition, Signs and Symptoms

What happens during a spiritual awakening?

During a spiritual awakening, an individual typically experiences a profound transformation in their life. This transformation is marked by a profound shift in perspectives and beliefs, often leading to a heightened sense of purpose and clarity in one’s life. The transition that takes place during a awakening can be both challenging and life-changing, as the individual is forced to question their beliefs and perceptions of the world around them. As the individual’s sense of purpose and direction become clearer, they often begin to develop a deeper connection to themselves, to others, and to the spiritual realm.

During this awakening, individuals may feel an intense sense of clarity, an opening of their spiritual awareness, and a new connection to the universe and all living things. As a result of this shift, individuals may start to identify and focus on their core spiritual values and beliefs. They may develop a heightened sense of empathy and compassion for others, become more mindful of their thoughts and actions, and even feel more connected to the divine. Awakened people may start to explore spiritual practices, such as meditation, prayer, and yoga, in order to nourish and deepen their connection to the divine.

How long do spiritual awakenings last

Spiritual awakenings can last for a short or extended period of time, depending on the individual’s personal experience, life circumstances, spiritual practices, and background. Given the individualized nature of spiritual awakenings, it can be difficult to determine how long a particular awakening will last, as it can depend on various factors, such as the individual’s dedication to the process and the amount of self-work they undertake. However, in general, awakenings are more of a gradual process than an instantaneous event. Therefore, it is possible to experience spiritual growth over a period of weeks, months, or even years.

It is important to remember that everyone’s journey is different and there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to spiritual awakening. Therefore, it is important to be patient with yourself and your journey, and to take the time necessary to fully explore and experience the transformation.

What does spiritual awakening feel like

The experience of a spiritual awakening can often be overwhelming and leave a person feeling isolated and confused. Some of the most common feelings associated with a spiritual awakening include an increased sense of empathy, intuition, and connection to the world around them. Other common sensations can include a feeling of being disconnected from one’s old identity or self-image, sudden shifts in emotional state, a heightened awareness of one’s own thoughts and feelings, and a deep inner peace. Some people may also experience physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or body aches. It is important to remember that every individual’s awakening process will be unique to them and their particular situation.

A spiritual awakening is a process of self-discovery and growth that can be both challenging and rewarding. In this stage, you may experience a sense of disconnection, confusion, and depression. During this time, you may also experience heightened intuition, empathy, and a deepening sense of self-honesty and personal responsibility. You may find yourself feeling more connected with yourself, others, and the world around you. Other signs of spiritual awakening include blurred vision or seeing auras and glittery particles around people. They can also be triggered by traumatic events, such as divorce, breakups, deaths, births, or marriage. While the process can be difficult and uncomfortable, there is hope for enlightenment on the other side.

24 Spiritual awakening signs and symptoms

Many people who have gone through a spiritual awakening experience a variety of signs and symptoms. Some of the most common signs include heightened intuition, increased empathy and sensitivity, enhanced creativity, heightened dreams and visions, feeling a deep connection with the universe, an intense desire to be honest with oneself, finding it difficult to make small talk, and an inability to tolerate negative energy.

A shift in consciousness

A small or large shift in consciousness is a common experience and is marked by a deepened sense of peace and understanding about spiritual paths, spiritual experience, religious experience, and mystical experiences. An internal journey is initiated in which an individual moves from a limited, ego-based perspective to a broader, more enlightened view of reality. During this process, the individual gains access to a greater source of inner wisdom and knowledge. As this wisdom is accessed, the individual can begin to understand the interconnectedness of all things and cultivate greater compassion, empathy, and love towards themselves and others.

The acknowledgement of the spiritual realm

The awareness and acknowledgement of the spiritual realm is an important first stage of spiritual awakening. This can include the exploration of spiritual paths, such as meditation, yoga, or prayer. It can also involve direct spiritual experiences, such as religious experiences, mystical experiences, and even physical experiences, such as out-of-body experiences. All of these experiences can be profound and enriching, and can open up a whole new level of understanding and connection to the spiritual world.

Questioning your beliefs

As your awaking begins, you may start to experience a natural curiosity that causes you to question your current beliefs or lifestyle. This may be in the forms of reevaluating your values, or challenging the status quo. This questioning can lead to a deepening of your understanding of yourself and can create a stronger foundation for your spiritual journey. As you question your beliefs, you may also start to identify which ones are no longer serving you, and can start to make changes to align with your new spiritual path.

A heightened awareness

One of the most prominent spiritual awakening symptoms is a heightened awareness. This can manifest in many ways, such as feeling more connected to nature, experiencing deeper empathy for others, or even having an increased capacity to sense and recognize the subtle energies of prana, chakras, elements, kundalini, and vayus. This newly heightened awareness often causes people to reevaluate their priorities in life, as they become more in tune with their deeper values and purpose. A heightened awareness can lead to an overall greater appreciation of life’s beauty, even in the more mundane moments. You may also find yourself more attuned to the needs of your community and the environment, as well as an increased desire to be active in social causes and humanitarian efforts.

Connected to a greater purpose or power

A common sign of spiritual awakening is a feeling of being connected to a greater purpose or power. This could be a connection to God or a higher power, a feeling of being part of something larger than yourself, or even a sense of feeling connected to other people, nature, or the universe. This feeling can lead to a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and it can also be accompanied by a greater sense of responsibility for your own life, or for the world around you. This sign can be experienced in a positive or negative way, depending on how it is interpreted. For example , if you feel connected to something larger than yourself, it can lead to a feeling of peace and understanding. On the other hand, if you feel overwhelmed or scared by this connection, it can lead to a sense of fear and confusion.

Increased intuition and inner knowledge

An increased intuition and inner knowledge can manifest as a feeling of being able to more deeply access information about your life and the world around you. You may find yourself more in tune with your innermost feelings, or you may be more aware of spiritual insights, intuitive wisdom or ‘spiritual downloads.’ You might find yourself knowing things that you don’t have any logical explanation for. You may become more in tune with your instincts and have a greater awareness of what is going on around you.

Heightened sensitivity to the energies of others

As we progress on our spiritual paths, we begin to develop a heightened sensitivity to the energies of others. We may find ourselves feeling both positive and negative energies more strongly, and this can be disorienting at first. This can manifest in many different ways, such as feeling overwhelmed in large crowds, feeling drained around certain people, or feeling a deep connection to those we meet. It takes practice to develop the ability to stay grounded and centered while still connecting to the energies of others.

Change in breathing patterns

A subtle yet profound symptom of spiritual progress is noticing our habitual breathing patterns shifting toward a constant slow, deep diaphragmatic breath. This type of breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which encourages relaxation, healing, equanimity, and a deeper sense of connection to our inner source. Taking more slow, deep breaths creates a sensation of increased energy and vitality and a shift in consciousness.

Mindfulness in everyday actions

Experiencing a deepening of mindfulness in everyday actions is a common sign of spiritual awakening. This could be an increased awareness of one’s physical, mental and emotional states, as well as and noticing details in the world that you may not have noticed before. Living in a deeper state of mindfulness anchors us in the present moment, and helps us to be more aware of our reactions and responses to the world around us. We can learn to observe our thoughts and feelings without judgment, and to be more accepting of both ourselves and those around us.

Being “in the flow”

The feeling of being “in the flow” can be a strong indicator of spiritual awakening. The Flow state, also referred to as being ‘in the zone’, is an elevated mental state where a person participating in an activity is wholly immersed in a feeling of energized concentration and pleasure from the activity. People in a flow state often forget about time and are frequently able to achieve a higher level of productivity, creativity, and performance. This feeling is often accompanied by a sense of peace and inner calm, as well as a heightened awareness of the present moment.

Experience of deep states of meditation

Longer, deeper, and more profound states of meditation are a sign of spiritual development. This can manifest as improved concentration, increased self-awareness, and more meaningful connections with the Divine. Symptoms of deep meditation can also include a heightened sense of clarity, a feeling of being completely centered and in balance, and a deep sense of joy and inner peace. Deeper states of meditation can help gain insight into the nature of reality and one’s purpose in life.

Detachment from thoughts and material possessions

One of the most common signs of spiritual awakening is the detachment from thoughts and material possessions. Strong attachments to ideas, emotions and material possessions are the source of much of our suffering and pain. As our awakening progresses, we realize that these attachments are only temporary and that true joy lies in letting our desire to grasp on to things go. This understanding allows us to detach from our attachments and to focus on the internal instead of the external. As we continue to do this, we can experience a greater connection to our true nature and to all of life.

Increased creativity or inspiration

As you become more in-tune with your spiritual self, you may begin to experience sudden bursts of creativity or inspiration. These may manifest as ideas or insights that come to you out of the blue, or provide you with an increased ability to problem-solve. You may find yourself suddenly able to make connections between seemingly unrelated topics and develop new methods of approaching difficult problems. This is a sign that your spirit is awakening and your true potential is starting to be revealed. If you experience this, it’s important to take the time to explore and discover your creative ability, as it could lead to deeper spiritual insights and understandings.

Living more in “the moment”

As you progress towards a state of enlightenment, you may notice that you are more present and aware of the present moment, rather than living in the past or worrying about the future. “Be here now” will become more of your natural state rather than something you need lots of reminders to practice. This heightened presence allows for a more connected feeling to life and all that’s around you. This increased mindfulness can also lead to improved concentration and focus, which can be beneficial to all aspects of life. You no longer get caught up in the drama and chaos that has plagued your life, and you become more comfortable with uncertainty and can better “go with the flow” of the present moment.

Compassion and unconditional love for all living things

As your spiritual life deepens, you may begin to feel a strong sense of compassion, empathy, kindness, and unconditional love for others. You may find yourself also feeling more connected to animals and nature, and you may be more inclined to speak out for social justice and help those in need. This feeling is a sign that you are beginning to live from your heart, seeing the world with a wider perspective, and that you are beginning to understand the interconnectedness of all life.

The pursuit of inner peace

The pursuit of inner peace and equanimity is a common goal among all spiritual paths. This pursuit involves understanding and applying spiritual practices in your daily life, such as meditation, prayer, contemplation, and service to others. The deep desire to experience profound peace and tranquility will encourage you to let go of drama, daily stressors, toxic relationships, and unhealthy habits. As your awareness expands, you will gain insight into the present moment and the ability to remain in a state of calm. The cycle of ups and downs created by your thoughts and actions will gradually diminish, leading to more stable and consistent spiritual growth and inner peace.

Seeing of the interconnectedness of all things

The realization and understanding of the interconnectedness of all things is an essential concept found in many spiritual paths, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and yoga. This concept is fundamental to fully deepening the spiritual journey and can provide insight into the universal nature of our existence. It can be experienced as a profound sense of oneness with all life, a feeling of spiritual interconnectedness, and a realization of the inherent oneness of the universe. The image of Indra’s jeweled net, where all the jewels in the eyes of the infinite net reflect each other, is an apt metaphor for this interconnectedness or interfusion. As we become aware of this essential truth, our perception of the world is forever changed.

Dreams become lucid

Experiencing evocative, lucid, and vivid dreams can be a sign of awakening and accessing the subconscious mind. Lucid dreaming is the practice of being aware you are dreaming while you are asleep and having some measure of control over the dream. It allows you to explore the inner realms of your subconscious mind and access higher states of consciousness in a safe and secure environment. You may find yourself meeting spiritual masters and teachers in your dreams and having a greater awareness of what is happening in your waking life. Lucid dreaming can also lead to a greater understanding of the subconscious mind and deeper insights into the spiritual realm.

The ego softens and becomes less controlling

The ego seeks to maintain a sense of separation from others and the world, but during a spiritual awakening, it softens and it begins to lose control over our thoughts and actions. This allows the person to open up to the spiritual realm and transcend beyond their typical ego-based perspective. This can manifest in a number of ways, such as a greater ability to go with the flow, an increase in self-acceptance, and an overall feeling of peace with the present moment. People may also find themselves more open to different perspectives, and less likely to judge or criticize others.

Awareness of old negative habits

Realizing your old negative habits and samskaras (mental impressions) is a sign of spiritual progress and transformation. These habits and samskaras can be anything ranging from negative self-talk, unhealthy coping strategies, or self-destructive behaviors. As you recognize the actions and thought patterns that don’t serve you, you begin to take responsibility for your choices and create positive and meaningful habits. By making positive changes to your daily life, you can cultivate a greater sense of inner peace and contentment. Practicing good karma through conscious and purposeful decisions, thoughts, and emotions will lead to a more rewarding life experience.

Changes in relationships

Changes in relationships are common when our spiritual lives are being awakened. We may find ourselves questioning the dynamics of our current relationships and feeling a need to make adjustments to ensure that our relationships are more in line with our spiritual values. We may start to feel a disconnect from our family, friends, and even our romantic partners as we start to recognize our spiritual identity. We may find ourselves connecting with old friends in new ways and feeling drawn to meet people with spiritual depth. Initially, this can be challenging, confusing, and uncomfortable, but removing toxic people from our life creates stronger connections, a sense of community, and a greater sense of self-love and acceptance.

A sense of dharma or personal mission

Dharma is the path of right conduct and living in accordance with one’s purpose or duty. During a spiritual awakening, it is not uncommon to find oneself discovering or refining their dharma or life’s mission. This might be a unique calling or purpose that comes from within, or it might be a message from the Universe or a higher power. It is important to recognize that this mission is not necessarily a path to perfect happiness, but it is generally a path of greater alignment with one’s personal truth. As such, following one’s dharma can lead to a more fulfilled and peaceful life and provide a greater sense of self-confidence and inner strength.

A desire to live a more meaningful life

As your spiritual life deepens, you may start to question the purpose of life, and contemplate how you can make the most of your time here. Instead of chasing material possessions and short-term pleasures, you may find yourself seeking out activities that have a greater purpose or add more meaning to your life. This could be anything from volunteering for a cause you care about, to helping others in need, to exploring different spiritual practices and traditions. Living a more meaningful life can bring about a greater sense of fulfillment and inner peace, and can give your life a greater sense of direction and purpose.

Interest in living a yogic lifestyle

As your awaking progresses, you may experience a desire to align your lifestyle with the philosophies and teachings of the yoga tradition. You may find yourself drawn to a more yogic way of life, such as practicing meditation, reading spiritual texts, spending time in nature, eating less meat, and living more modestly. You may become conscious of the ways in which your lifestyle choices impact your spiritual growth and make changes that help you in the journey towards enlightenment.

Conclusion

The spiritual awakening process can manifest in many forms, and the experience of it is unique to each individual. While it can be an intense and challenging process, it can also be an incredible opportunity to deepen one’s spiritual practice, gain insight into the true nature of self, and open up to a more fulfilling and connected life. Being mindful of the symptoms of spiritual awakening can help to create space for self-exploration and transformation. Ultimately, it is a journey of self-discovery, and with the right guidance, it can truly be an awakening experience.