July 21st, 2023
Guest writer for Wake Up World
Something is shifting, morphing, and evolving in your life. These alchemical changes might be subtle or shocking, sudden or progressive … but whatever the case, something is transforming below the surface. You are like the caterpillar dissolving in its cocoon.
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Perhaps life is heading in a surprising direction. New doors may be opening to you, out of the blue. Synchronicities may increase. And what haunted you before is beginning to fade away.
You just aren’t the same person you used to be – and this can feel disorienting yet titillating!
What is Spiritual Transformation?
Spiritual transformation is what happens when we evolve on the level of the Soul. Like a lotus flower (which is symbolic of inner alchemy), we emerge from the muddy waters of the ego into more sky-like expansion. Spiritual transformation can happen slowly throughout time or in an unexpected, fast, or intense way.
Examples of Spiritual Transformation
To help illustrate spiritual transformation in a more nuanced way, here are a few common experiences of spiritual transformation that people have:
- Letting go of an old toxic pattern or behavior
- No longer feeling limited by a certain trauma
- Becoming more authentic and soul-centered
- Desiring to open up rather than shut down (and hide)
Of course, there are endless possibilities when it comes to spiritual transformation. Can you relate to any of the above examples? (If you have your own unique story to share, feel free to write it in the comments below.)
Spiritual Transformation vs. Spiritual Awakening (What’s the Difference?)
While spiritual awakening and spiritual transformation sound similar and are certainly connected, these two experiences are different. Let me explain why, just to clear up any confusion:
Spiritual awakening is an umbrella term that refers to the spiritual path as a whole. Spiritual transformation, on the other hand, is what happens within the spiritual journey.
Another way of distinguishing these two terms is by seeing spiritual awakening as a force of change that happens at the very beginning of the spiritual journey. And spiritual transformation is what happens near the end of the spiritual journey.
Keep in mind, though, that the spiritual journey is cyclical – so we may undergo a transformation and then begin a new era of awakening which will eventually lead to another transformation. The cycle is an ever-expanding mandala.
9 Signs You’re Experiencing a Spiritual Transformation
Our whole spiritual transformation brings us to the point where we realize that in our being, we are enough.
– Ram Dass
In essence, spiritual transformation is about returning closer and closer to the Centre of our being. It is a culmination point where all of our effort, all of our inner work and soul work, and all of our spiritual journeying begins to ‘pay off.’
However, the rewards we receive are not always what we expect – they are what we need rather than what we want. (Of course, it’s entirely possible to get what we both want and need.)
As a cyclical process, spiritual transformation is bound to happen to all of us walking the spiritual path not just once, but many times over – each time helping us to embody deeper layers of our True Nature.
Here are some key signs of spiritual transformation. How many can you identify in your own life?
1. Old ways of being disintegrate
You begin noticing thought patterns, habits, beliefs, and other limiting ways of being crumble – they don’t have the same hold on you as they once did. This dissolution or death and rebirth can cause you to feel many different feelings. Some people feel relief and gratitude, while others feel nervous and on-edge. Whatever the case, just know that it’s part of the natural flux of spiritual transformation.
Read: 7 Stages of Spiritual Alchemy »
2. New doorways open
You might be presented with new and unexpected opportunities for growth. In particular, synchronicities (or meaningful coincidences) will increase, and you’ll feel like you’re living ‘in the flow.’ Whatever you do seems to yield important results and there’s no longer what feels like an ‘invisible barrier’ preventing you from progressing.
3. Letting go and surrendering
You feel more comfortable letting Life take over the driving seat for a while, trusting in its wisdom. Letting go, letting be, and surrendering to Spirit becomes more second-nature to you. In the past, you would have struggled and resisted a lot, but now, you feel more at peace with ‘handing over the reins.’
Read: What is Inner Peace? (12 Paths to Liberation From Suffering) »
4. Self-identity loosens
As you undergo the process of spiritual transformation, the attachment to your ego becomes more transparent. You cease being stuck in limited and rigid ways of being. There’s a freshness and lightness within your mind and heart that makes it easier to be fluid and adaptable. Because your ego lessens, you react less to other people and events that would usually rile you up.
5. Some people in your life leave
This doesn’t always happen, but it’s common to witness people moving on and leaving your life during spiritual transformation. Some say this is because you’re no longer “vibrationally matched” to them – or in more down-to-earth terms, you’ve each learned your lessons from the other and it’s time to get gone. You might feel a sense of relief or alternatively a sense of grief for the departure of those once close to you. Whatever the case, let yourself feel these emotions and know that it’s a necessary part of the cycle of life.
6. Profound insights into the nature of reality
It’s common to receive an influx of deep understanding about your life and the universe during spiritual transformation. These epiphanies are often referred to as ‘cosmic downloads’ – it’s as if your head opens and you’re absorbing all there is to know about the Great Mystery. What was once hidden or obscured now becomes clear, and the puzzle pieces of your life begin to fit together.
Read: The 9 Stages of Spiritual Self-Realization »
7. Energetic purging and detoxification
Perhaps one of the less enjoyable aspects of spiritual transformation is what I call energetic purging and detoxification. This purification is usually manifested in our bodies and can sometimes become quite disruptive. Another name for this experience is undergoing a kundalini awakening where the primal life force energy rises within us, and with it, clears out old ‘energetic blockages.’
8. More inner security and trust in Life
Most of us live our lives in a state of near-constant anxiety. Even if we’re not consciously aware of this fear, it’s always lurking at a deeper subconscious level. During spiritual transformation, some (and in very rare cases, all) of this looming anxiety dissolves. What we’re left with is more trust in the unfathomable wisdom of Life or the Divine. We understand that everything is working for us, not against us. This enhanced trust leads to feelings of greater inner security as we come to see that nothing can truly touch our Essence.
9. Deepening love and compassion
Finally, we come to one of the most (if not the most) beautiful aspects of spiritual transformation: love.
Our connection with our heart increases and sometimes expands to feelings of compassion for all beings. The hatred and resentment we once felt towards certain people bursts and is replaced with understanding, love, and oftentimes grief for their pain. We experience what is known as Christ Consciousness (or Oneness) where we embrace and simultaneously mourn all beings.
Of course, it’s common to experience varying degrees of this heartfulness ranging from more a heart-centered understanding to complete unconditional cosmic love. What’s most important is not how much we experience, but how deeply it impacts us and transforms our old patterns.
Read: What is Spiritual Oneness? (+ 5 Ways to Experience It) »
***
In the end, spiritual transformation is not really something we can control: it is a gift from Life. It’s an organic result of turning inwards, dissolving the shadows that obscure our Inner Light, and seeking freedom.
Furthermore, spiritual transformation tends to come and go in waves. For example, we may experience a long or short period of transformation, but that experience will eventually fade away and be replaced with something new. Such is the nature of existence. 🙂
What has your experience of spiritual transformation been like? I’d love to hear below in the comments! What have you learned through it?
About the author:
Aletheia Luna is a prolific psychospiritual writer, author, and spiritual mentor whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. She is the author of hundreds of popular articles, as well as numerous books and journals on the topics of Self-Love, Spiritual Awakening, and more. See more of her work at lonerwolf.com.
This article, Spiritual Transformation: 9 Signs You’re Evolving, was originally published on lonerwolf.com, reproduced with permission.
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