What is Spiritual Awakening and What Are Its 5 Stages
Spiritual awakening is a transformative process through which a person connects with their deepest essence and the spiritual reality surrounding them. Below, we explore what spiritual awakening truly means and detail the five key stages that make up this inner journey, providing a guide for those seeking to deepen their own spiritual growth.
Table of Contents
- What Does It Mean to Have a Spiritual Awakening?
- Signs of a Spiritual Awakening
- The 5 Stages of Spiritual Awakening
- Differences Between Spiritual Awakening and Awakening of Consciousness
- The Matrix: A Metaphor for Spiritual Awakening
- The Best Books to Read During a Spiritual Awakening
What Does It Mean to Have a Spiritual Awakening?
Experiencing a spiritual awakening means entering a state of consciousness where one’s perception of life, the universe, and the self undergoes a radical shift. This transformation leads to a deeper and more meaningful understanding of existence, marking the beginning of a path toward spiritual understanding and self-realization.
During this process, an interest in exploring profound existential questions awakens, seeking meanings beyond mundane concerns. The connection with the cosmos and the nature of being takes on new significance, fostering a sense of unity with everything around us.
As one goes through this process, they often experience a renewed sense of peace, an intensified feeling of unity with the world, and a detachment from worldly desires and conflicts. It is not merely a passing phase but a profound change that alters how one relates to their environment and themselves.
In the documentary A Quest for Ascension, available on Gaia, the topic of spiritual awakening is explored through important spiritual traditions such as early Christianity, shamanism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Toltec wisdom. This documentary examines how ancestral wisdom can help us rediscover deep truths about who we truly are and the meaning of life, revealing the essential truth that all is one.
Signs of a Spiritual Awakening
Spiritual awakening often manifests through a series of clear signs that indicate a deep and ongoing shift in personal consciousness. These signs reflect significant transformations on both emotional and cognitive levels, acting as indicators of an internal process in full development.
- Existential questioning: A constant search for answers to big questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beyond the conventional explanations offered by society.
- Reevaluation of beliefs: A tendency to question and critically review fundamental beliefs about life, death, spirituality, and other essential topics.
- Increased intuition: A deeper and clearer connection with intuition, helping to make decisions more aligned with one’s authentic essence.
- Renewed sense of purpose: A renewed sense of direction and purpose in life, as if destined to fulfill a particular mission or role that contributes to collective well-being.
- Connection with nature: A stronger and more meaningful connection with nature, finding peace and harmony in its beauty and tranquility.
- More time in solitude: Comfort in spending more time alone, using those moments to reflect and connect with the inner self.
- Awareness of unity: The feeling of being part of something much greater, recognizing the connection with the whole and the interdependence of all life.
- Shift in perception of death: A changing view of death, seeing it as a natural part of the life cycle rather than something to be feared.
- Longing for meaning: A strong desire to live meaningfully, seeking to deepen the understanding of life and one’s role in the world.
The 5 Stages of Spiritual Awakening
The process of spiritual awakening can be understood through five stages, based on the archetype of the “Hero’s Journey” developed by Joseph Campbell. This scholar of mythology described the hero’s journey as a series of universal steps that heroes undergo in myths and legends, reflecting a profound personal transformation.
These stages not only represent a significant shift in one’s perception and understanding of themselves but also parallel the steps of the hero in their adventure toward discovery, trial, victory, and transformative return.
First Stage: The Call
The first stage, “The Call,” begins when disruptive events or deep dissatisfaction prompt the individual to question the foundations of their life. This awakening often starts with a feeling that something needs to change, whether due to a personal crisis or a deep longing for something more meaningful.
This moment may be accompanied by a series of signs, vivid dreams, or meaningful encounters that inspire the person to seek a deeper sense in life. Synchronicity plays an important role here, confirming the need for change.
Second Stage: The Dark Night of the Soul
In the Dark Night of the Soul, individuals face their deepest shadows and limitations. This stage is characterized by a period of intense introspection, where old identities and beliefs are challenged and often dismantled.
This period is seen as a test of faith and resilience, where the person must confront and overcome their inner demons. It is a stage of great suffering, but also immense transformation.
Third Stage: The Transformation
After the Dark Night of the Soul comes the stage of “The Transformation,” where the individual begins to integrate the new truths and perceptions they have discovered about themselves and the universe. This is a time of significant internal reconstruction, where values, beliefs, and new life purposes are redefined.
During this stage, the person may discover new abilities or talents that arise from their renewed understanding and spiritual connection. It is a period of great creativity and empowerment.
Fourth Stage: The Hermit
The Hermit stage is characterized by a period of introspection and voluntary solitude. In this phase, the individual withdraws from the distractions of the external world to deepen their new understanding and strengthen their spiritual connection.
During this time, the hermit develops a greater intimacy with their inner self and a deeper connection with the divine. It is a period of continuous learning and the establishment of spiritual practices.
Fifth Stage: Materialization
Finally, “Materialization” marks the culmination of the spiritual journey, where the individual emerges from retreat to put their renewed understanding and skills into practice. In this stage, concrete actions are taken that reflect internal changes, positively influencing the community and environment.
In this stage, the individual becomes a beacon of light and knowledge for others, sharing their wisdom and guiding others on their own spiritual journeys. Materialization creates a positive impact on the world, promoting collective change and evolution.
Differences Between Spiritual Awakening and Awakening of Consciousness
Spiritual awakening and awakening of consciousness are closely related concepts but have clear distinctions in their focus and manifestations. Spiritual awakening focuses on the reconnection of the individual with their deepest essence and a higher sense of purpose that transcends the material self. It is associated with the search for meaning beyond the physical and tangible, inviting an exploration of spiritual and universal connections, and emphasizing transcendence and integration with the whole.
On the other hand, awakening of consciousness relates more to an increased perception and awareness of the environment and oneself within that context. This process involves heightened mental clarity and the ability to see clearly the structures and dynamics that govern personal and collective life. Although both processes can be simultaneous and complementary, each emphasizes different aspects of the human experience.
The Matrix: A Metaphor for Spiritual Awakening
The movie “The Matrix” serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual awakening, representing the process of realizing the true nature of reality. In the story, the protagonist, Neo, discovers that the world he lives in is a simulation created to keep humanity under control. This discovery reflects the experience of spiritual awakening, where one becomes aware of the illusions and limitations of the material world and seeks a deeper truth.
Neo’s journey to free himself from the Matrix symbolizes the individual’s path toward enlightenment and connection with their true self. Like Neo, those who experience a spiritual awakening must question their beliefs and overcome internal and external obstacles. The choice of the “red pill” represents the courage needed to face the truth, leaving behind the comfort of ignorance to embrace freedom and self-knowledge.
The Best Books to Read During a Spiritual Awakening
During a spiritual awakening, certain books can provide valuable guidance on the journey. Here are some of the most influential works that can enrich the process for those undergoing this transformation:
- The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle: This book teaches how to live in the present moment and free oneself from emotional pain. Tolle explores the depths of consciousness and offers practices to focus on the now, an invaluable resource for those seeking a deeper connection with their essential being.
- Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality, by Anthony de Mello: De Mello combines Christian and Eastern wisdom to present stories and meditations that illuminate the path to spiritual awakening, emphasizing the importance of awareness in personal transformation.
- Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse: This philosophical novel tells the spiritual journey of a man named Siddhartha in search of enlightenment. Through his experiences and encounters, the book offers profound lessons about life, the search for meaning, and the true nature of being.
- Conversations with God, by Neale Donald Walsch: This book presents itself as a dialogue between the author and God, addressing deep questions about life, purpose, and spirituality. It provides guidance for better understanding our relationship with the divine.
- Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda: This book explores the life and teachings of one of the most influential yogis of the 20th century. Yogananda shares his mystical experiences and knowledge about meditation and yoga, offering inspiring guidance for those on their spiritual path.
About the Author
March Equinox: Conversation between the I and AM by Matías De Stefano
ME: So, the March Equinox is the first portal of the year.
I AM: No.
ME: What do you mean no?
I AM: As always, we ask ourselves again: from whose perspective?
ME: Oh, sure…
I AM: We consider the March Equinox a strategic point to begin, according to the Northern Hemisphere, since spring begins on this specific day, while for the Southern Hemisphere it’s autumn. And spring is a good time to begin, since plants begin to sprout again, which means the time for sowing is near.
ME: Ah, that’s why the horoscope also starts on this day. Aries.
I AM: The moment of beginning, the baby who begins to grow, the goat that in ancient times was given as an offering to the Earth, returning wealth, winter nourishment to Mother Earth, so that she may give us life again. A Middle Eastern tradition that went from the field to the sky.
ME: So if everything is a cycle of constant transformation, it’s impossible to say when the beginning is.
I AM: Remember that the Year is an idea generated by cultures to record that a complete revolution around the sun has already been completed. But a revolution can be counted from any instant; that is, every second can be considered a new year. However, the seasonal points of movement or equinoxes of movement (Solstices and Equinoxes) are key to determining the ends and beginnings of something. Therefore, we have four moments in the year that can be considered a beginning and an end.
ME: Why do we use December 31st as the end of the year? And not some other date.
I AM: Because the December Solstice, around the 21st, represents the darkest day of the year, the longest night, and then, over the next three days, the return to longer days begins. Wouldn’t you consider this fundamental to a grand ending and a grand beginning?
ME: Totally.
SOY: The problem is that this also happens in June, but in the southern hemisphere.
ME: So that new year, below the equator, would begin on June 21st.
I AM: Exactly.
ME: And why isn’t it celebrated?
I AM: Because the only traditions that lived this reality were native peoples with culture, traditions, spiritual and artistic wealth, but without civilizations with expansive organizations. The Ona, Mapuche, Selknam, Anangu, Koori, Maori, Zulu, Xhosa, to mention just 5% of the southern inhabitants, and so many others, all of them were easily dominated by European traditions. The only important civilization in the southern world was the Quechua-Aymara empire, the famous Incas, who opened the doors to the conquerors. Thus, all traditions of time, of the way of understanding the world and its movement, came to be solely in the hands of the vision of the Semitic cultures of the Middle East. However, for other traditions, the important moments are not the solstices, but the equinoxes. In ancient Persia, for example, or Hindu and Indonesian traditions, they use the beginning of spring as the beginning of the year. However, other traditions celebrate it at different times. In turn, some are not even based on the cycle of the Solar Cross, but on the moons, like the Chinese calendar.
ME: And why are we going to start the task with the March Equinox and not with others?
I AM: Simply because it is the first portal moment after the Portal day of February 22nd, the moment of the Network activation, which exactly 2 years ago activated this planetary task that began 4 years ago in the same month, on February 2nd. The anniversary of the Network reconnection mission is the month of February, and therefore, for us, the planetary reconnection tasks will generally begin in March.
ME: Ah, I understand.
I AM: In Atlantean times, this day was called Hol-Phyr, which means Time, Cycle, or Stage of Fire. This was the name given to the period between the March equinox and the June solstice, as it was the time when we reconnected with our inner power, the divine spark that ignites our potential. The seed is synonymous with the spark, and therefore, fire was found in that tiny aspect that provided food, which gave us strength, life, and energy.
ME: Is that the intention of these following months?
I AM: This is the intention that we will all put together in this Cycle of Fire.
ME: How?
I AM: Let’s remember the mission and how to prepare for it, before stepping on the first of the 5 Nodes that we will activate on March 20th.
This article was published on Matías De Stefano’s blog, where he shares his reflections and teachings on planetary transformation processes and spiritual consciousness.
We now share the special meditation to accompany this March Equinox portal. This meditation is conducted in both Spanish and English simultaneously. We invite you to take a few minutes to connect with this experience and deepen into its energy.
In the series The Journey of Remembering, available on Gaia, Matías De Stefano shares his personal and spiritual journey since childhood, revealing memories of past lives and the deeper purpose of his mission on Earth. Through each episode, he guides the viewer on a journey of connection with the soul’s history, the planet’s energetic movements, and the awakening of collective consciousness.
