The Call to Awakening
Soul awakening can hardly occur accidentally. It is usually initiated by an internal scream- the continuous urge that something is lacking or that there is something deeper in life. This call may be in the form of restlessness, dissatisfaction or a desire to have a meaning.
To others, the awakening starts with spiritual means like meditation, prayer, or contemplation. To other people, it comes out of the deep emotional experiences or through deep love, or being in nature. The awakening process, no matter the trigger, calls people to the inward perspective and making them doubt their reality presuppositions.
This phase is exciting as well as disturbing. With the dissolution of old beliefs, doubt appears. Individuals can be out of touch with their former selves, connections or ambitions. Nonetheless, this is an uncomfortable aspect of development. As a seed has to crack open to create, the ego has to ease its hold on the soul to come out.
The outcry to wakefulness is incredibly intimate, and, at the same time, universal. It cuts across the culture, religion and ideology. Fundamentally, it is the wish of the soul to recall its primal state and reconnect with some greater truth.
Stages of the Soul’s Journey
Although an awakening process is individual, there are numerous spiritual teachings that outline the general steps that people come across.
1. Awareness of Separation
The journey is usually initiated by the sense of loss, loss of oneself, others and life. People might be out of place, isolated or dissatisfied even in the face of success. This realization is agonizing yet necessary, as it inspires the pursuit of the inner meaning.
2. Questioning and Seeking
After separation has been identified, this is followed by questioning. People start posing some existential questions involving purpose and identity and truth. This phase can be associated with exploration of philosophy, spirituality, psychology or other possible worldviews.
3. Inner Awakening
It is through self-reflection and consciousness that people start having glimpses of clarity and being. They can experience profound tranquility, togetherness or wisdom. These experiences provide an insight into life outside of ego and physical identification.
4. Confronting the Shadow
To unlock the soul, one has to deal with repressed emotions, fears, and trauma. This phase can also be difficult, because it is the stage when one has to confront her or himself with something previously neglected or rejected. Nevertheless, the shadow has to be healed in order to transform.
5. Integration and Embodiment
The last step entails applying the spiritual knowledge into daily life. Waking up is no longer an interim affair but a condition. The actions, relationships and decisions are guided by compassion, truthfulness and awareness.
Challenges Along the Path
Awakening the soul is not a straight forward and smooth path. It poses many obstacles that challenge loyalty and strength.
Ego resistance is one of the main challenges. The ego wants power, assurance and approval. It is afraid to dissolve and tends to have doubt, fear or even some form of defensiveness. Ego resistance is a problem that has to be addressed through patience, humility, and self-compassion.
Societal pressure is another challenge. Spiritual exploration has been shunned as unrealistic and impractical in modern society. Individuals in awakening of soul process might experience being misunderstood or lonely. It may be essential to identify supportive groups or coaches at this stage.
Emotional disturbance is also typical. The more people become aware, the more repressed emotions become visible. Grief, anger, and fear can also become manifest and they need to be addressed and cured. Instead of displaying failures, these are signs that show inner deep work.
In spite of this, tenacity is the key to radical change. Every challenge will be an experience to learn and develop.
Pure light and infinite love be with us!