I was preparing for a podcast-style interview a couple of weeks ago; and while looking over some of the questions, I paused…
“spiritual awakening”
I vaguely knew what this meant within the context in which it was written here; but curiosity struck me, as it so often does —
Is there a consensus definition to spiritual awakening? And: am I understanding it in the same way as others across the english-speaking world?
One of the first things I found in my research was a good-length Reddit post, where u/Evolved_hippie states:
a spiritual awakening is the process of becoming fully conscious of our spirit aka who we fundamentally are, what motivates us and why we truly desire the things we desire
As I read the post, I recognized myself reflected back. This framework for spiritual awakening sounded very aligned with the path that I’ve labelled as conscious self-discovery, especially as the OP went on to describe unconscious programming and limited world views.
Being an avid investigator, my search continued. And after reading a few different web pages, articles, and opinions, I concluded that traditionally, “spiritual awakening” is often understood as a profound shift in consciousness—an expanded awareness of self, the universe, and our connection to something greater. It’s frequently described as a personal realization or enlightenment, a moment of insight where everything feels more aligned or clear.
That seemed to answer my original curiosity, but this nagging feeling lingered, quietly, beneath the surface for me. Something about the phrase “spiritual awakening” just wasn’t fully aligned for me, but why?
After some reflection, I noticed a couple of things that warranted further exploration which solved that lack-of-alignment-feeling:
First off, I noticed that spiritual awakening can often carry a sense of grandiosity. It’s also often positioned as a singular destination, a checkpoint in some linear progression, or a point to be reached when one has done “enough" healing or grown enough.
My own views tend to be more about a fluid, grounded, cyclical process rather than a single transformative event… so this was absolutely causing some friction.
Secondly, the term spiritual awakening is used often in new age circles which can reflect problematic dynamics. As an example, new age traditions sometimes use the term spiritual awakening to dismiss or bypass difficult emotions, personal traumas, or systemic issues like racism, sexism, or economic inequality. This spiritual bypassing can create a toxic positivity culture that minimizes the need for addressing personal and collective suffering, turning spiritual awakening into a way to avoid responsibility rather than confront it.
These same circles also deal in cultural appropriation, spiritual elitism and hierarchies, and the dreaded hyper-individualism that emphasizes personal enlightenment.
And I’m not about any of that.
However, that did lead me to my next deeply important curiosity, that reflects the tension between individual and collective growth:
Can there even *be* personal enlightenment when the collective is so oppressed?
It’s a paradox many of us grapple with: How do we heal and grow as individuals in a world that still carries so much suffering?
On one hand, there’s a valid critique that focusing too much on personal enlightenment can be an act of privilege in itself, especially when it ignores the reality of systemic oppression. It’s difficult, and sometimes impossible, for individuals to fully experience personal freedom and enlightenment when the collective is still deeply oppressed.
The pursuit of enlightenment in isolation—without considering the larger societal context—can come across as detached from the suffering and struggles of marginalized communities. And personally, I don’t think we need to create any more detachment from this collective suffering.
On the other hand, some argue that personal enlightenment is a prerequisite for contributing to collective liberation—individuals need to heal, grow, and transform themselves before they can effectively challenge and dismantle oppressive systems. This perspective holds that the more people engage in self-discovery and healing, the more aligned they become with collective well-being and justice. Their increased self-awareness can lead to more compassionate, responsible actions in the world.
I really dislike that it encourages this “waiting period”, as how would you ever know when you're healed enough? Grown enough? This perspective, in my view, assumes the same single destination, linear progression thinking that the other definitions of spiritual awakening did, versus a natural, cycling journey.
It is my belief that individuals do need to do "the work" to be effective, but the way that the “personal enlightenment as a prerequisite” argument is framed makes it seem like you have to reach a certain destination first… and this destination is not defined. It misses an opportunity to suggest that healing, personal growth & transformation can be done in tandem with challenging and dismantling oppressive systems. As we heal ourselves, we strengthen our capacity to dismantle systems of oppression. And as we engage in liberation work, we often find personal healing along the way.
The framing of personal enlightenment as a prerequisite risks encouraging passivity, suggesting that people can sit on the sidelines until they feel fully ready. This finish line is an illusion. We all need to start somewhere. You can start wherever you are, knowing that growth and healing are lifelong, but that doesn’t mean you can’t contribute meaningfully along the way.
This exploration left me with a new perspective on “spiritual awakening” and “enlightenment”—terms that, while some consider valuable, to me, often feel like incomplete maps for the inner journey. I realized I’m drawn toward a different approach, one that resists fixed destinations and linear paths, and one that honours our interconnectedness, while also acknowledging the ways in which many of us are systemically oppressed.
I invite you to try this on for yourself —
See what sensations you notice in your body and energy field, or just generally how you feel, when you focus on the following perspectives from conscious self-discovery:
Non-Linear, Evolving Process
Imagine your growth as a natural, breathing rhythm—like the cycles of the moon or the seasons. In conscious self-discovery, there isn’t a single, climactic moment that “defines” your awakening. Instead, you’re invited to experience it as a cycle: one of expansion, retreat, reflection, and rebirth. This path honours your ever-changing nature, where insights unfold gently or in waves, building over time. As you lean into this cyclical rhythm, feel how it allows you to pause, revisit, and deepen your connection with yourself, letting go of the need to “arrive” at a final truth.
De-Emphasizes Finality or ‘Arrival’
In conscious self-discovery, growth is less about reaching an end point and more about continually opening yourself to new possibilities. Here, the concept of “enlightenment” isn’t a destination you work toward and arrive at but an ongoing, grounded journey of exploration. As you embrace each step, you’re free to question, to experience, and to integrate without rushing toward a final answer. Notice what arises when you shift from a need to complete the journey to a practice of presence with every layer, each revelation adding depth to your path, allowing you to show up more fully in each moment.
Tangible Focus on Individual and Community Integration
Rather than transcending the day-to-day, conscious self-discovery brings awareness back into life’s daily textures—your relationships, your community, the world around you. It’s about connecting insights to actions that serve both yourself and others, grounding growth in the real world. Feel into the impact of your discoveries as you consciously choose how to show up, not just for yourself but within the collective. This path invites you to see how your journey is woven into the fabric of community, encouraging you to expand your insights outward and honour the collective wisdom we share, all in a way that feels deeply integrated and real.
I’m now realizing that my conscious self-discovery framework is how I’ve answered not aligning with these concepts of “spiritual awakening” and “enlightenment”, for myself.
It is how I am exploring the intersection of personal and collective liberation.
For me, true “awakening” isn’t just about individual peace or insight but also about actively working to uplift and free the collective, addressing the material realities of injustice.
It’s balancing all of the inner and outer pieces, and approaching spirituality with the intention of decolonizing my own practice. And learning to unlearn.
How would it feel to step into self-discovery with the understanding that growth is not about arriving, but about unfolding?
This journey invites you into each moment as both seeker and participant, weaving healing, connection, and liberation into the fabric of your everyday life. The invitation stands open—begin here, begin now.
Now I’m curious, what does spiritual awakening mean to you?