Most people think Spiritual Awakening is a peaceful, blissful journey, but the truth is, it often feels like your entire life is being shattered. There are six stages of Spiritual Awakening, each one stripping away old layers of who you thought you were. But most people never make it past stage three; they get stuck, confused, or overwhelmed, unsure how to move forward. Everything you thought was certain—your beliefs, relationships, your sense of self—suddenly feels like it's crumbling. You don't fit into your old life anymore; the things that once made sense now seem hollow.
And the worst part? You have no idea what's coming next because Awakening isn't just about becoming spiritual; it's a raw, intense transformation that tears down everything false so the real you can emerge. So, where are you in this journey? Are you stuck, or are you on the verge of breaking through?
Stage 1 | The Tower Moment
The first stage of Spiritual Awakening is the cracking of illusion, the moment your entire reality begins to collapse. In Kabbalah, this is the shattering of the vessels, a necessary breakdown before new creation. In alchemy, it's negredo—the blackening, the death of the old to prepare for transformation. And in Tantra, it's known as deconditioning, the process of stripping away illusion to see the truth beneath it.
One day, everything feels normal—your routine, your beliefs, your identity—they all seem solid. Then suddenly, something shifts. Maybe it's a quiet unease, a nagging feeling that something isn't right, or maybe it's a full-blown crisis: betrayal, a loss, a near-death experience that shatters everything you thought was real. Either way, the illusion cracks, and you start to see through the life you've been living. The conversations that once felt meaningful now seem empty. Your dreams, ambitions, even the way you see yourself—none of it fits anymore. It's as if the foundation of your world is dissolving, and you can't unsee it. This is what ancient traditions call the tower moment—the destruction of the false self so that something real can emerge.
But here's where most people get stuck: they fight it, trying to force their old life to make sense again, clinging to relationships, beliefs, and habits that no longer serve them. They numb the discomfort with distractions, addictions, or false certainty, desperate to hold on to something familiar. But there's no going back because this breakdown isn't a punishment; it's an initiation. If you're in this stage, don't resist it. The more you fight, the harder it gets. Instead of running from the discomfort, sit with it. Journaling, meditation, and stillness will help you process what's falling away.
Instead of asking, "Why is this happening to me?" ask, "What is this trying to show me?"
Stage 2 | The Dark Night of the Soul
The second stage of Spiritual Awakening is The Dark Night of the Soul, a descent into the unknown where everything that once gave you meaning suddenly disappears. In Kabbalah, this is The Passage through the abyss—a space between what was and what will be. In alchemy, this is the dissolution phase, where everything false is dissolved to reveal the truth, and in Buddhism, it is the phase of ego death, where the mind clings desperately to the illusion of control before surrendering to something greater.
At first, the cracking of illusion feels like an awakening; you see the world differently, and you feel like something bigger is unfolding. But then the ground falls out from beneath you. The excitement fades and in its place is emptiness, confusion, a void where your old self used to be. Nothing feels the same anymore; the things that once brought you joy don't resonate. The people around you don't seem to understand. You may feel disconnected, isolated, or like you're trapped between two worlds—no longer the person you were but not yet the person you're becoming. This is the stage where many people spiral. Depression, existential dread, even physical exhaustion can take over. Some describe it as feeling like a stranger in their own life, as if the universe has stripped them of everything familiar and left them standing in the dark with nothing but questions.
But here's where most people struggle: they mistake this stage for failure. They think they've lost their way, that they're broken, that something has gone wrong. Some try to force themselves back into their old life, numbing the pain with distractions or seeking validation from people who can no longer meet them where they are. But the Dark Night isn't here to destroy you; it's here to strip away what isn't truly you. If you're in this stage, the most important thing you can do is stop searching for the old version of yourself. You are not lost; you are in a process of becoming.
Let go of the need to understand everything right now. Sit with the discomfort, write, reflect, and allow yourself to feel. This is the void before rebirth, the silence before the storm clears.
Stage 3 | The Awakening
The third stage of Spiritual Awakening is the awakening itself, the moment everything clicks, the energy rises, and you finally feel like you're stepping into something bigger. In Kabbalah, this stage is called crossing the threshold, the space between enlightenment and illusion. In Tantra, this is where the seeker must decide: will they integrate this power or get lost in it? And in alchemy, this is the transmutation stage, where raw energy must be grounded, or it burns out.
This is where most people get stuck after the darkness, after the breakdown, after feeling completely lost. Something shifts; suddenly, the world feels alive. Synchronicities start happening everywhere: 11:11, deja vu, strange coincidences that seem too perfect to be random. Your intuition sharpens; you start feeling things before they happen. The books, the videos, the conversations that come into your life feel divinely placed, as if the universe is speaking directly to you. And then there's the energy. For some, it's a slow awakening, like a steady pulse of warmth moving through them. For others, it's overwhelming, like a lightning bolt of energy rushing up their spine. You might feel tingling, vibrations, or even heat in your body, as if something inside you is activating.
This is the Kundalini Awakening, the ignition of Life Force energy that starts rewiring your entire system. For many, it feels like a homecoming; everything they've been searching for is finally falling into place. But here's the problem: this is the stage where people get trapped because the awakening itself isn't the end; it's just the beginning. Most people don't realize that; they think this is it. They chase the spiritual highs, downloads, the energy rushes. They jump from one concept to another, from one spiritual practice to the next, seeking more of that blissful, transcendent feeling. And this is where spiritual ego begins to creep in. It happens subtly. Maybe you start thinking you've unlocked something others haven't. Maybe you look at people still living in the illusion and feel disconnected from them. Maybe you start identifying with your newfound awakened self so much that you forget the journey isn't over.
But here's the truth no one tells you: if you don't integrate this stage, you can end up stuck in a loop—constantly searching, constantly questioning, constantly seeking, but never actually transforming. The energy becomes too much, and instead of elevating you, it drains you. So, what's the way forward? You have to ground yourself. Instead of chasing the next spiritual high, start practicing embodiment. Bring the energy down; breathe, spend time in nature, journal, move your body, and let the insight settle into your being. Instead of rushing to find more, realize that awakening is not about collecting knowledge; it's about becoming it.
If you're here, if you've reached this stage, don't stop now. Most people don't move past this point, but you can because what comes next is where the real transformation begins.
Stage 4 | The Void
The fourth stage of Spiritual Awakening is the void—the space between who you were and who you are becoming. In alchemy, this is known as dissolution—the phase where everything has been broken down but the new form hasn't emerged yet. In Kabbalah, it's the desert between worlds—a waiting space before transformation is complete. In Tantra, this is the stage of energy stabilization, where the seeker must learn to hold their power instead of constantly seeking more.
This is where patience is tested. After the intensity of awakening, after the rush of insights, synchronicities, and breakthroughs, something unexpected happens: everything goes quiet. The energy slows down, synchronicities stop coming as often, and the feelings of expansion, bliss, and connection start to fade. Suddenly, you're left in a space that feels empty. This is where doubt starts creeping in. You might wonder if you've lost the connection you worked so hard to build, if the awakening was even real, if you somehow messed up and fell back asleep. Some people describe this stage as feeling like a plateau; others say it feels like losing their sense of purpose. You don't resonate with your old self, but you're not quite sure what's next. This is the void.
This stage is uncomfortable because nothing seems to be happening. And after everything you've just been through—the chaos, the breakthroughs, the awakening—you expect things to keep unfolding at the same speed. And this is where most people make a crucial mistake: they try to force their way out. They start chasing new spiritual experiences, highs, new answers, hoping to reignite the intensity of their awakening. They convince themselves they've fallen behind, that they need to do something, push forward. But the void isn't something to escape; it's something to trust. This stage isn't about searching for more; it's about allowing what's already happening beneath the surface to settle and integrate.
If you're here and feel like you're floating in an in-between space, let yourself be in it. Instead of filling the silence, listen to it. Instead of seeking answers, observe what's shifting within you. The void isn't a dead end; it's transformation in progress. And the moment you stop resisting it, that's when the next stage begins.
Stage 5 | Embodiment
The fifth stage of Spiritual Awakening is embodiment—the moment when everything you've learned, everything you've experienced, finally starts becoming a part of you. In alchemy, this is the coagulation stage, where everything that was broken down is now fully integrated into its new form. In Kabbalah, this is the phase of alignment, where all aspects of the self are in harmony. In Tantra, this is the point where energy isn't just activated; it's directed with intention, flowing effortlessly through the body and mind.
After the void, after the silence, something shifts. You stop searching, questioning every little sign, synchronicity, and every spiritual experience, and instead, you just become it. There's a deep sense of knowing now—not in your mind but in your body. You don't need to intellectualize spirituality anymore because it's no longer something separate from you. It's not a practice; it's not a journey; it's just who you are. For the first time, you feel balanced. Your energy isn't swinging between extremes anymore; the highs and lows of awakening start to even out. The emotional turbulence settles, and the craving for answers dissolves. You move through life with a quiet confidence because you no longer feel the need to figure everything out.
This is the stage where spirituality stops being something you do and starts being something you live. But here's the thing about embodiment: it doesn't mean life suddenly becomes perfect; it doesn't mean challenges disappear.
The difference now is that you don't resist them. You're no longer reacting from old wounds or unconscious patterns. When life tests you, you don't spiral back into fear or doubt; you face it with clarity, with trust, and an awareness that everything is happening through you, not to you. And this is where another shift happens: for the first time, you start noticing that people are drawn to you—not because you're preaching, or because you're trying to teach anyone, but because your presence itself feels different. You've become an anchor of something real, and without even trying, you find yourself guiding others just by being who you are.
This is the moment when you realize you're no longer a seeker; you are the path. But the journey isn't over yet. There's still one more stage, and it's the one that will change everything.
Stage 6 | Dissolution
The sixth stage of Spiritual Awakening is dissolution—the final surrender, the release of everything you thought you needed to hold on to. In alchemy, this is the final transmutation—the merging of all elements into the philosopher's stone. In Kabbalah, this is the state of Ain Soph—the infinite, where all separations dissolve. And in Taoism, this is Wu Wei—effortless flow, where life and self are one.
At this stage, something profound happens: you stop trying to be awake. You stop trying to figure out where you are on the path; you stop identifying with spirituality as something separate from life itself. Because now there is no path, just existence. The need for labels—enlightened, awakened, spiritual—all fades. The mind stops grasping for meaning because meaning is no longer something you seek; it's something you embody. There is no longer a divide between you and the universe. No more searching for answers outside yourself; the cycle of seeking, learning, and integrating is complete.
At this point, you no longer feel the need to fix anything. Challenges still arise, but you don't resist them. Emotions come and go, but they don't define you. You experience the full spectrum of life—joy, sadness, pleasure, pain—but none of it pulls you away from yourself anymore. You don't need to escape into spirituality because spirituality is no longer something separate from life; it's in the way you breathe, in how you move, in the way you show up in the world—without force, without fear. And this is where the paradox appears. The moment you reach dissolution, you realize there was never anything to reach for. The journey was never about becoming something greater; it was about returning to what you always were. You are no longer a seeker; you are no longer even an awakened person—you are just, you. And that was the destination all along. From here, there is nothing left to chase—only to live. The journey never really had an end point; it was always leading you back to yourself.
Conclusion
And now, the only question is: where do you go from here? What stage of Spiritual Awakening you are in right now? Are you still moving through the Dark Night, feeling stuck in the Awakening phase, or stepping into full embodiment? This is just the beginning; there's so much more to uncover.