Many individuals find themselves seeking a more profound sense of purpose. This quest leads to the spiritual ascension stages. Learn the 12 symptoms of spiritual awakening, which show where we are on this journey.
Some of the things that occur as we evolve are unexpected. These are the unwanted side effects of spiritual transition. When we are children, we want to be grown-ups. We assume things will be better. Then, when we grow up, we realize we should have enjoyed our childhood innocence more.
This situation is similar to the path of spiritual development. We want to develop our full potential and explore other realms of consciousness, but we don’t understand all the changes that this will involve.
Each of the spiritual ascension stages has its challenges. It is a good strategy to learn about them before you embark on this journey. Awakening will increase your awareness. So, what will you do with this greater bandwidth? What choices will you make?
When we awaken, we expand both awareness and consciousness. The growth of consciousness opens up your conscience and your heart, creating new opportunities. Increasing the bandwidth of your heart increases empathy and caring for others. Is this something you want?
The Five Stages of Spiritual Ascension
The 12 symptoms of spiritual awakening occur on the path of growth. So, let’s look at the path of spiritual transition. We’ll start at the very beginning of the process and give a brief description of each stage.
Every stage of growth brings challenges, lessons, and rewards. Learning to overcome these obstacles is part of the journey. With the proper tools of consciousness, you can forge a path that opens the gifts of the spirit. Every step you take brings you closer to realizing your full potential.
Progress in the stages of spiritual ascension is not guaranteed. If you make the wrong decisions, you can regress and fall backward. You can and lose what you have gained. If you acquire harmful bias and prejudice, you can fall back asleep spiritually. Growth increases the sensitivity of the nervous system. It makes you more emotionally vulnerable. Are you ready for this type of change?
1. The First Spiritual Transition: Growth of Conscience
The first stage of spiritual ascension is awakening. It is an epiphany that sets one on the path of self-discovery. (1) This initial growth stage brings a renewed sense of curiosity, prompting us to seek the intrinsic meaning of life. The awakened seeker will find solace in exploring different techniques and methods. They will learn the tools to confront their beliefs and values.
Some people assert that you must be aware to awaken, while others say you must be awakened to be aware. It’s like the chicken and the egg. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which comes first as long as you are on the path of growth. All the other spiritual ascension stages depend on being awake.
“For many people, the first indication of a spiritual awakening is that they suddenly become aware of their thoughts. They become a witness to their thoughts, so to speak. They are not completely identified with their mind anymore, and so they begin to sense that there is a depth to them that they had never known before.” — Eckhart Tolle
We learn that with increased growth comes increased responsibility. It’s good to know what to expect on our spiritual journey. The growth of consciousnesses and conscience are linked. (2) The mechanisms of the mind on which they operate are complex, but how they manifest is practical.
If you are unconscious, you have zero awareness. If you are conscious and awake, you perceive the details of your environment. Consciousness, awareness, and conscience grow and decrease at roughly the same rates.
You experience more when you are more aware. Most of the time, consciousness and conscience grow at the same rate. This gives you better control over the emotional impact of these changes. But this isn’t always the case, so prepare for a bumpy ride.
2. The Apprentice: A Journey of Learning and Growth
Having embraced their awakening, the spiritual apprentice masters the tools deeper into consciousness. Learning is one of the most enlightening stages of spiritual ascension. It entails immersing oneself in research and study. We learn new techniques, attend workshops, and get guidance from teachers.
The apprentice learns the importance of sharing their knowledge and helping others. At the same time, they hone their spiritual practice and integrate it into their lives. Here, we develop a foundation for further spiritual transition and ascension.
As your conscience grows, you will show kindness and compassion. Your actions will become free of harmful prejudice. It becomes evident as you observe others who do not have a conscience. You see the effects of religious prejudice and materialism.
“At precisely the point when you begin to develop a conscience, you must find yourself at war with society.” ― James Baldwin
3. Becoming The Alchemist: Transforming the Self from Within
Reaching the third stage signifies an essential transformation point for the spiritual practitioner. Like an alchemist turning base metals into gold, we transmute our inner darkness. We exchange harmful thoughts and values for compassion and unconditional love.
“We need to transmute the lead of personality into the gold of the Spirit. This work is only possible in the laboratory of the Alchemist.” — Samael Aun Weor
This is one of the stages of spiritual ascension exemplified by inner or shadow work. It is essential to release limited beliefs and heal emotional wounds. The alchemist gains a deeper understanding of their thought and emotions. They purify their thought scripts and values. They align themselves with higher spiritual frequencies. The result is a greater bandwidth of awareness, which helps you see and understand more.
It’s a good thing to see more, right? It depends. Seeing the world “as it is” can be shocking. Thankfully, we see the beauty we may have missed and things we would rather not. We are more aware of bias, injustice, and prejudice when we see what is happening.
Many people find the growth of their conscience exciting. But this growth can also be unexpected and unwanted. Conscience is a constant reminder of what must be done and never sleeps.
“A clear conscience is the sure sign of a bad memory.” ― Mark Twain
Now, we can no longer ignore the misuse of the planet. Our conscience involves our spiritual heart. The natural response to this growth is empathy for all living things. Yes, the growth of consciousness results in the growth of conscience. We are prompted to align our thinking with our conscience. If we do not align, then we run into a dilemma. This dilemma is called cognitive dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological term. It describes the pain you experience when wrestling with a dilemma. This conflict arises when you encounter facts that do not fit within your worldview. Your mind is telling you there is a conflict you need to resolve. You must change your views to align with the new data or reject it and try to ignore it.
You have no choice if you used the third-eye activation process or the Siddhis. You can’t go back to sleep. You can’t reverse the symptoms of spiritual awakening or spiritual transition. Once opened, you are forever stuck with an open heart and an open mind. So, cognitive dissonance will make you do something about your level of awareness.
4. Becoming a Light Warrior: Emanating Love and Compassion
As one progresses, you become a beacon of light, a light warrior. The light-bearer embodies unconditional love and compassion for themselves, others, and the world. With a heightened sense of empathy and understanding, they become activists. Light warriors engage in acts of service. They become agents of positive change in their communities and inspire others. Light Warriors spread their light to everyone in their circle of influence.
Awareness expands to touch the very consciousness of humankind and the universe. This expansion of awareness makes us confront the fear of death, our existential fear. Some early philosophers call it “the dark night of the soul.” We can trace the origins of this term to the poem “The Dark Night” by the mystic poet St. Paul of the Cross. He was a Carmelite friar and a priest of Spanish origin in the 16th Century.
Our existential fear forces us to face the implications of our physical demise. It comes up when you awaken, which is one area your new awareness needs to sort out. It may not be one of the 12 symptoms of spiritual awakening you were hoping for. When you took that course in Kundalini Yoga, they didn’t explain the side effects. You didn’t expect the practice of meditation to open your heart.
As we progress, our inner work allows us to identify and remove roadblocks to our development. If we act on this new data, we can impact ourselves and the world. Each of us has our sphere of influence.
5. The Enlightened Being: Perceiving the Divine in All
The final stage of spiritual transition culminates in the realization of oneness. This is the epiphany of our divine nature. The enlightened being transcends the realm of duality. They are the freethinkers who are our much-needed problem-solvers. These individuals become a source of wisdom and intuitive insight. Their existence becomes a living testament to the power of spiritual ascension.
When we envision the road to enlightenment, we picture only the positive things. To be sure, there are many benefits to greater awareness. But the universe combines more benefits with more responsibility. It’s a fair transaction; we must be ready to pay the price for expanding awareness.
If we keep going and allow our personality to integrate, we open up the gifts some call “the virtues of the spirit.” These aren’t philosophical points but the higher qualities of our soul. It all depends on what you decide to do. The growth of consciousness for the Ego is scary because it means losing control.
We are choice-makers. Everything we do is a choice. The more options we have, the greater the number of choices. The expansion of awareness illuminates spheres in which we can make choices. It’s a side effect that many weren’t expecting. It forces us to see, and that forces us to see the consequences of our decisions.
Conclusion of Spiritual Ascension Stages
As we conclude this overview, it’s important to remember this journey is not linear. The stages of spiritual growth have their ups and downs. Take things as they come. Don’t rush things. Each of these stages has its own characteristics. If you regress, learn from your mistakes and keep up the inner work. Now, let’s look at the common symptoms you’ll encounter.
The 12 Symptoms of Spiritual Awakening
One thing to keep in mind is that these symptoms differ from individual to individual. They can come in any order. Sometimes, they come in incremental steps; other times, they come in giant leaps. They can occur in groups or individually.
1. Increased Sensitivity
As individuals undergo spiritual transition and awakening, their senses become more finely tuned. They may experience heightened sensitivity to energies, emotions, and even physical sensations. This heightened awareness is a clear sign of spiritual ascension.
2. Intense Emotional Fluctuations
Emotional upheavals are a part of the inward journey. You can expect to experience fluctuations in emotions. They can range from sudden bursts of joy to periods of deep sorrow. This rollercoaster signifies the unraveling of beliefs and values that limit us. Enjoy the ride.
3. Deepening Empathy
As spiritual awakening progresses, people become more attuned to the emotions of others. This increase in empathy enables them to connect on a deeper level. Emotional vulnerability can be the spark of activism.
4. Inner Frustration
In the early stages of spiritual ascension, many individuals feel frustrated. This arises from the realization their current state is incompatible with their goals. Frustration comes from the Ego as it struggles to maintain control of awareness. This frustration catalyzes immense growth. Eventually, we learn to use the Ego instead of it using us.
5. Heightened Intuition
A prominent symptom of spiritual awakening is the sharpening of intuitive abilities. You will experience more and more “Eureka” leaps of insight. It will work in conjunction to confirm decisions made with analytical reasoning. Albert Einstein developed many of his theories using This kind of intuitive thinking. It’s a spontaneous form of profound wisdom and decision-making ability without conscious thought.
6. Dissatisfaction with Superficiality
Those undergoing spiritual awakening often develop a disdain for superficial and materialistic pursuits. They are drawn to deeper and more meaningful relationships and experiences. The pursuit of authentic purpose over conformity becomes a priority.
7. Loss of Interest in Old Activities
In pursuing spiritual growth, people will often have a shift in interests. They will have a decrease in hobbies that once brought pleasure. The need for soul-fulfilling endeavors becomes prevalent. It is common for them to embrace activities like meditation. They leave behind the activities we associate with a modern lifestyle. This symptom is often gradual. Keeping a spiritual journal to spot these changes is essential. This symptom can happen at any of the stages of spiritual ascension.
8. Profound Self-Reflection
Spiritual awakening initiates a journey of self-reflection. Self-reflection leads to authentic internal dialogue. This tool provides space for people to question their beliefs and values. Regular practice of this reflective state catalyzes personal growth and transformation.
9. Enhanced Connection with Nature
As the soul awakens, a greater affinity for nature and the natural world begins to form. Communicating with nature becomes a routine part of spiritual practice. Spiritual growth is interconnected with the environment. All the great sages, from Buddha to Jesus, found enlightenment in the wilderness. They did not seek spiritual ascension with the walls of a religious construct.
10. Synchronicities and Signs
Aligned with higher vibrations, we become aware of the synchronicities around us. These signposts are essential clues that help guide us in our spiritual journey. These occurrences remind them of the cosmic order underlying their existence.
11. Dissolution of Ego
One of the 12 symptoms of spiritual awakening is the dissolution of the Ego. As we evolve, we transcend the default settings of the Ego. The Ego is no longer identity. We use it as a tool. Now, we are free to access the full range of awareness. We are no longer confined by personality and instinct.
12. Profound Gratitude
Awakening to higher consciousness invokes a deep sense of gratitude for life. Gratitude is the perspective of higher awareness. It is the mindset that enables us to express gratitude for our challenges and blessings. This is the perspective that helps us see the divine synchronicity in every experience.
Final Thoughts on the Spiritual Ascension Stages and Signs
The journey of ascension is a life-long process of blissful transformation. The 12 symptoms of spiritual awakening are the reawakening or rebirth of the soul. They open the door to heightened states of consciousness. Embrace these symptoms as blessings. Why? Because they propel you toward a more authentic, purposeful, and connected existence. Let your spiritual transition be an example and legacy. Watch as the world transforms in harmony with your newfound inner light.
References
(1) Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Phenomenology, Altered States, Individual Differences, and Well-Being. The National Library of Medicine.
(2) Conscience and Consciousness. The National Library of Medicine.