Spring is the season of new beginnings and welcomes this change with nature emerging from hibernation.
This is a wonderful metaphor for our own spiritual rebirth and yearning for a more fulfilling, meaningful existence. Starting with a greater sense of awareness or grounded-ness, the natural progression often leads to a wider perspective on life and a search for a deeper sense of purpose. What is Spiritual Development? Fundamentally, spiritual development is when we begin to ask ourselves deeper questions about the meaning and purpose of our life. It includes consciously embarking on a journey to realize or become increasingly aware of our natural, innate purpose and place within the universe. This exploration may also include a search for the "truth" and questioning long-held beliefs, shedding old patterns, and embracing new perspectives that promote personal growth. Expanding one's spirituality has some distinct differences from being or becoming more religious. Religion is a specific set of organized beliefs and practices, usually shared by a community or group. Spirituality is more of an individual practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose. Of course, this does not mean that the two cannot go hand in hand. For the purposes of this article, we are talking about the oneness and alignment with oneself as a spiritual being and place within the bigger picture. What Triggers a Spiritual Awakening? A spiritual awakening can be caused by a number of life experiences. Impactful, life-changing events such as the death of a loved one, serious health crisis, or divorce can activate a spiritual awakening, as can traumatic or near-death experiences, an existential, mental health, or mid-life crises. In some instances, individuals can prompt a gradual shift towards awakening with an increased focus on self-awareness to help activate a deeper consciousness through certain deliberate practices such as mindfulness, meditation or by connecting more profoundly with nature and animals. Recognizing Your Spiritual Awakening At certain times in our lives, oftentimes during or as the result of a life transition, we may feel a calling to develop a stronger connection with ourselves, our own intuition and authentic selves. Going inward to discover who we are on a deeper level is a sign that an awakening is beginning. Common questions being contemplated may include:
Coaching & Spiritual Awakening Connection While there are a variety of coaching disciplines - career, business, leadership, relationship, divorce and more - for the holistic coach like myself, an emphasis on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of one's life is the focus. The goal is to develop balance in a way that supports optimal, whole-person wellness, growth and expansion for greater fulfillment in life. With that said, spiritual awakening can be a byproduct of such holistic exploration, clarity about goals, and moving forward with new actions to manifest new, desired outcomes. Are You Ready for a Spiritual Awakening? An awakening usually begins with certain signs or rumblings within. Often, you can sense that you are at some sort of fork in the road or juncture that will determine your future. There is a certainty within that this is a defining moment in your life. Shifts in how you view the world may also begin to happen, such as feeling compelled to help others or an express desire to make a difference to serve humanity. There is a longing for deeper meaning in your life and a desire to connect with something greater than yourself. Believe it or not, many individuals report experiencing physical changes as well during a spiritual awakening that can include an increased sensitivity to light or sound or the energy of others. How To Initiate A Spiritual Awakening If you find yourself at a point where you want to explore your inner world deeper, whether it is prompted by some life-changing event or just an organic desire to seek out more meaning in life, there are a number of ways to initiate this journey. Here are a few steps to ignite the fire of spiritual awakening: 1. Set Clear Intentions Identify your specific Intentions by focusing your thoughts and energy on what you want. Remember that intensions are different than goals. An intention describes how you want to feel; it is internal and has to do with your relationship with yourself. A goal is usually external - something you do. Living your intentions or being intentional allows you to focus on how you want to be in the moment, independent of whether you are achieving your goals or not. 2. Examine Limiting Beliefs If you find yourself wanting to achieve certain desires but aren't seeing them come to fruition, this can be a sign that you are unconsciously holding onto some limiting core beliefs about yourself, your abilities or your worthiness. These can include I am not enough, I'm not worthy, I am too old, I'm too young, I am not good looking enough, I am not smart enough, no one will listen to me/what I have to say, I always fail, what's the point in trying. Introspection can. help bring these to the forefront and free you to spiritually expand. 3. Read Spiritual Literature Spiritual books and writings can inspire and motivate you to take meaningful steps on your spiritual journey by providing valuable insights, knowledge, and guidance on how to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. 4. Attend Spiritual and Personal Growth Workshops As you start to open up and seek to learn more, attending workshops can open your mind up to new ideas by being around other like-minded people who have either gone through or are experiencing the same internal shifts as you. 5. Connect With Nature Being in nature has a huge impact on our spiritual expansion. "Immersing oneself in nature allows for a deeper connection with the earth's energy, leading to increased self-awareness, inner peace, and a sense of oneness with the universe," according to author Richmond Kobe. There really is truth in the power of hugging trees, walking barefoot on the grass and sand or spending time with animals. 6. Practice Meditation Historians believe that meditation was practiced as early as 3000 BCE. It is used around the world in countless cultures for stress and relaxation, to clear the mind, and to awaken and deepen the connection to something greater. This practice allows you to let go of thinking and be more present. The main objective is to become more aware, know yourself and become more purposeful about your actions. 7. Work With A Coach Or Mentor A coach can assist you to turn inward and look for the answers within, through honest self-examination. With gentle guidance, you can identify and overcome obstacles, gain clarity on your values and beliefs, and develop practical strategies to align your actions with your spiritual aspirations. Till next time, -Elisa
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Elisa Valentino
HOLISTIC BEHAVIORAL PRACTITIONER DIVORCE & LIFE TRANSITION COACH SPIRITUAL LIGHTWORKER PUBLIC SPEAKER PODCAST HOST |