By Brian Luke Seaward

“An awakened heart is like a sky that pours light.”  — Hafiz

There is a memorable scene in the classic film, The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion come upon a field of poppies. Once they start running through what seems like an ocean of the red flowers, they grow tired and quickly fall asleep, their journey to OZ derailed. Through the magical efforts of the Good Witch of the North, however, they soon wake up and resume Dorothy’s grand journey. Falling asleep on the spiritual path is not only a common occurrence but also a metaphor, a reminder that it is essential to be fully aware when we are journeying. 

While the concept of spiritual awakening is not new, it has taken on a greater relevance in our world. Like the new growth of spring when flowers and plants push through the darkness of the soil to grow towards the light, millions of people around the world are questioning old paradigms of existence and yearning for greater meaning and connection to life. This global phenomenon is being called the “grand spiritual awakening.”

Perhaps this awakening has followed the spread of information about near-death and mystical experiences. Where once it was regarded as taboo to talk openly about such topics, today it is common and we are free to explore them. This exploration can lead to a spiritual awakening that involves a profound inner transformation, an expansion of consciousness and understanding in which we move beyond narrow self-interest to knowing a grand, divine reality that has been named “Unity Consciousness”. It involves a realization that life is more than material gains, personal achievements, and physical pleasures. Spiritual awakening can be the result of a self-reflective, soul-searching journey inward – a journey that transcends both religious affiliations and cultural influences.

The waking up process can help us become more authentic, empathetic, and compassionate. We can develop the desire to help others. Self-centered behaviors become greatly diminished as a strong desire to seek spiritual knowledge, truth, and wisdom grows.  There is often a sense of emotional purging of fears and limiting beliefs and we may let go of the sense of being a victim, helpless because of traumatic life events. The most significant sign may be that we develop an appreciation of the interconnectedness of all things.

Just as there are several signs of a spiritual awakening, there can be various causes or triggers that serve as catalysts for such a personal change. For some, the seeds for a spiritual awakening are found in a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a near-death experience, or a personal crisis that leads us to question the nature of reality and our true purpose in life. For others an awakening may result from periods of deep introspection where new insights and revelations present themselves. Still others may open the doors to a spiritual awakening through the use of a controlled substance, such as ayahuasca, a substance that can open the mind to an experience of spiritual clarity. And there are others who, out of the blue, have a spontaneous mystical experience, where the curtain between worlds is pulled back to reveal a great sense of unity with something greater than the self, a revelation that forever changes us.

While there are different experiences and personal perspectives on what a spiritual awakening is, they all seem to follow a similar progression, one that parallels Joseph Campbell’s template of the “Hero’s Journey” and one that I call “The Seasons of the Soul.” 

Here is a quick review:

Stage One: Beginning to Awaken. This stage often begins with internal unrest – a sense of dissatisfaction with our current situation and we yearn for insights, answers, and a deeper understanding of life. Joseph Campbell called this “The Call to Adventure”- a longing for more, perhaps for something new and exciting. For me this Season of the Soul is called “The Centering Process”. We begin by “entering the heart” to complete some profound soul-searching as we begin the process of mental and emotional house cleaning.

Stage Two: The Dark Night of the Soul. Often triggered by a significant loss or traumatic event, this stage can begin with a sense of sadness as we confront old perceptions and attachments that may have served us once but now no longer do. Often described as “stepping into the void”, in this state we empty, cleanse, release, and surrender the ego to make room for new insights and profound realizations as we move to the next stage. Campbell called this stage of the Hero’s Journey, the “Initiation State” (also known as “baptism by fire”). In this stage we are put to the test, and soon realize that the void isn’t the dark pit of despair but the “womb of creation.” I call this the Emptying Process where, by doing much inner reflection, we learn to let go of that which no longer serves us.

Stage Three: The Emergence (Illumination and Transformation). From the darkness of the void, we step into the light. This stage involves the “vision” of the vision quest, as we receive new insights, wisdom, and a more expansive view of reality. Here oneness is understood to be our true nature and separation from our divine source is shown to be an illusion. Here the ego becomes more integrated and less dominant. This stage presents a heightened sense of awareness, and new level of consciousness, one in which we never see the world in the old way again. This Season of the Soul is called “The Grounding Process,” as new insights provide a renewed sense of purpose and additional personal growth.

Stage Four: Integration. With the realization that there is no separation, this phase of the spiritual awakening reminds us to return and re-integrate with our community (or become part of a new community). This is what Campbell calls “The Return Home.” It is here that we come to a greater sense of peace with our true self, and a deeper sense of oneness and unity. This Season of the Soul is called “The Connecting Process,” in which we reconnect to the whole and share what we have learned along the way to help others. It is here that we can step into our personal power for the benefit of all.

It’s important to remember that the spiritual awakening process is not a final destination; rather, it is an ongoing journey of realization, of gaining inner peace and an alignment with a greater truth. Whether triggered by pain, curiosity, or even divine timing, a spiritual awakening invites each person to live with greater authenticity, compassion, and awareness. Spiritual awakenings can lead to significant changes in our lifestyle, relationships, and worldview. People begin to search for a less materialistic way of living and to define a new sense of purpose beyond gaining wealth or power. While deeply personal, it connects people across cultures and faiths through its shared essence of growth, transformation, and greater sense of community. As countless people begin to awaken, a new day begins to dawn across the world as we seek peace and the understanding that we are all part of the divine oneness.

When the first rays of sunlight hit the snow-covered mountains of the Colorado Rockies, they turn snow-capped mountains pink, in what is known around the world as “alpenglow.” You have to wake up early to see this great beauty, yet for those few special moments, it is pure magic, Perhaps the Persian mystic Rumi conveyed it best when he said, “The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you, don’t go back to sleep.”

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Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is the best-selling author of several books including Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Mind Over Anxiety. He is the executive director of the Paramount Wellness Institute in Boulder, Colorado and can be reached at brianlukes@cs.com

The image that leads this post is by Peter Dargatz from Pixabay.

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