Spiritual awakening, spiritual enlightenment and spiritual growth are interrelated terms. These are not separate at all but vary in the context these are used. Let’s start with the spirituality to understand the related terms.

Spirituality

In simple words, Spirituality is the search for meaning of life. Traditionally, the word spirituality is linked with the ‘religious process of finding a person’s existence or aim of his life’. In modern times it is no longer referred to a religious process, it can be found with religion or without religion.

  • Spirituality the conscious awareness of the soul.
  • Spirituality is an experience which brings a man close to Divine or Spirit.
  • Spirituality is about questioning the existence of oneself finding meaning of life.
  • Spirituality is about individual practice of searching for peace, truth, meaning, mystery and purpose.
  • Spirituality deals with broader vision of life than to just depend upon material things.

Why do we need Spirituality?

In life we as humans feel deteriorated and alienated sometimes. We lose interest in everyday tasks as we live meaningless life. Then suddenly a thought provokes our mind that

  • Why are we living in this way?
  • What is the meaning of our life?
  • Why God has created us?
  • Have we done anything great in our lives or just spending our life doing petty things?

Above questions leads a person to find the truth and meaning of his life to find peace and purpose. Then he stops finding pleasure from materialistic things and finds spirituality that leads to a contented life.

Spiritual Awakening

Spiritual awakening triggers you to open your mind and stop living in auto mode. This is the moment when a person suddenly started realizing the core meaning and purpose of life. It all happens due to some events or tragedy in life. To attain the Spiritual awakening, one must let go his ego to achieve the higher self and spirit.

Spiritual awakening happens when your soul evolves, expands and matures. It takes place at any moment of your life, can be spontaneous or triggered by major events in life. It helps awakening a person from dark night of the soul; a period when a man unconsciously lives his life without purpose and cannot listen to the soul’s cry. It’s when you are totally cut off from god or divine.

There are some beliefs which can hold back a person from spiritual awakening.

  • Considering yourself “spiritual” than others.
  • Believing you are “good” only and others are “evil”.
  • Posing to be nice while having jealousy and hatred for others.
  • Feeling proud to have more than others.
  • Having a sense of superiority over others.

Signs of spiritual awakening

  • When your life changes dramatically for the better.
  • When you experience something deep in your heart.
  • When you are ready to search the purpose of life.
  • When you start contemplating the past to percieve the present.
  • When you have spiritual and emotional growth.
  • When you take personal responsibility of deeds.
  • When you stop relying on materialistic objects.
  • When you find the pleasure by living with moral and spiritual values.
  • When there is shift from external world to inner world; like feelings, emotions, dreams, imaginations and thought.
  • When you start experiencing inner freedom or oneness.
  • When you crave for truth and authenticity.
  • When your start questioning life.
  • When you have a desire to change the world for good.
  • When you have unbiased attitude towards others.

Spiritual Enlightenment

Spiritual Awakening paves the way to Spiritual Enlightenment. It comprises of two words: spiritual and enlightenment. Spiritual refers to soul or spirit and enlightenment means complete knowledge, understanding, wisdom or awareness of something. We can say that Spiritual Enlightenment is the complete knowledge or understanding of soul.

Enlightenment demands conscience of absolute truth. It is about yours true nature and absolute reality of man’s existence.

  • Spiritual Enlightenment can be attained by surpassing the ego.
  • Spiritual Enlightenment is permanent once it is achieved.
  • Spiritual Enlightenment is the end product of all forms of emotional and mental sufferings.

How to achieve Spiritual Enlightenment?

When a person experiences the ups and downs of life, he becomes mature. He learns through his experience and that is the best way of learning.  Let’s make it clear with the help of an example.

If you force a child to abandon his favorite toys and becomes mature, this would not leave a good impression on his psychic. Even the child becomes mature early; he will have a secret attachment with the toys that were abandoned prematurely. In the same way, if a person does not experience the path to spiritual enlightenment, he will not be able to attain it. It’s a natural and gradual process, so there is a need to practice for the achievement of peace, joy and freedom.

Spiritual Growth

Spirituality Growth is basically a life-long process which demands you to live by true teachings of God. Spiritual growth is an on-going process of your emotional and spiritual growth. It is the thing we can manage with our own will.

Consider yourself a caterpillar that has to reach at the top of mountain. There will be many troubles waiting for you, a wind can blow you away but if you are firm then you would not lose heart and try again. It is the test of your patience while a step towards spiritual growth. You cannot forget your potential because you can transform into butterfly and reach at the top of mountain.

How to attain Spiritual Growth?

  • Make a connection with God
  • Always be truthful and honest
  • Learn to meditate
  • Serve humanity
  • Seek knowledge
  • Be a grateful regardless of all troubles
  • Never complain
  • Be patient

It is in your hand, Make a wise choice! What do you say about it?