Stages of Spiritual Awakening

Mário Spencer

The journey of spiritual awakening is a winding road with many twists and turns along the way. 

While there are some common patterns and spiritual awakening stages that many people experience, everyone’s path is unique and unfolds differently. As someone who has walked this path for decades, I can say that the spiritual awakening stages are beautiful, messy, painful, blissful, incredible and at times dark. 

Everyone’s journey will be different. 

It’s important to recognize that these stages are not linear, nor is every seeker destined to experience each one. The spiritual awakening stages are more like a series of psychological and metaphysical openings that shed light on our human conditioning and spark an inward revolution. 

For some, the process is a soft unbinding, while for others, it may feel like a severe upheaval of reality.

1. Feeling discontent with life as you know it

For many, the first stage of spiritual awakening arises from a profound sense of discontent or emptiness with the day-to-day grind. Despite checking off society’s boxes of success, something fundamental is missing. An underlying feeling that there must be “more to life than this”. A vague yearning pervades, a homesickness for something they cannot quite name. There is an intuitive sense that merely making a living is not truly the essence of being fully alive.

This feeling grows more pronounced over time. Nights are spent in existential questioning about purpose and the nature of reality itself. This profound feeling of separation from source becomes a catalyst for their spiritual awakening journey. The homesickness is finally recognized as a sacred calling to return to the depths of their true nature.

2. Questioning your reality and belief systems 

As the thirst for truth grows, the next stage of spiritual awakening involves a deep and often unsettling questioning of personal reality and belief systems. This phase is characterized by turning fundamental assumptions about the universe, consciousness, and the narratives we’ve subscribed to inside out. This shaking up of mental and cultural constructs can be both liberating and deeply unsettling.

You might start to question long-held beliefs about who you are, what the world is, and how it operates. This process can be difficult, as it challenges the very foundation upon which you’ve built your understanding of life.

3. Spiritual curiosity and seeking knowledge 

This stage of spiritual awakening created voracious spiritual curiosity for me. I found myself drawn to various philosophies, faiths, and esoteric teachings – devouring books on Buddhism, Hinduism, metaphysics, and other non-dual traditions. I attended workshops, went on retreats, and sought out spiritual teachers and gurus. 

In the relentless pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, the seekers explore various paths, each one offering a unique perspective on reality. Their journey is fueled by a burning desire to unravel the mysteries of existence and to attain a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.

This is typically the honeymoon period of seeking, where there is intense passion, energy and excitement of discovering new knowledge and experiences..

4. Finding Your Spiritual Guide or Guru

For many seekers, there comes a point when the desire for a guru or spiritual mentor arises organically. Having a guide who has walked on the path can be invaluable. They can act as a mirror, insightful friend, and point the way when you feel lost.

My experience has been that the guru appears when the student is truly ready. There were times of seeking outwardly for the right teacher, only to realize the ones I needed were presenting themselves all along – sometimes in human form, other times as life itself. 

Ultimately, the truest guru is the one who points you back to your own inner nature. They guide you to find the guru within.

For me, another major insight came when I realized my path could not be dictated by any one teacher or tradition. I am immensely grateful for the many guides who have graced my life. As I learned to go directly to the source of my own being, all scriptures and masters revealed their greatest wisdom – that which I am seeking, I already am. 

5. Purging old habits and conditioning

As my awareness expanded, there was an inherent purging process that took place on multiple levels. Old habits, relationships and possessions that no longer resonated with my inner truth started falling away – sometimes gracefully, other times with great resistance and turmoil.

It was as if my being was shedding an old layer of skin. While painful at times to let go of attachments, this created space for me to align with the insights emerging from within. Looking back, I’m grateful for the people, situations, and comforts I’ve had to release to continue evolving.

This stage of spiritual awakening is like casting away your anchor and setting sails on an infinite ocean.

6. Non-attachment and surrender 

As the spiritual journey deepens, spiritual seekers begin to cultivate a deep sense of non-attachment and surrender. This shift in their consciousness arises from the realization that clinging to desires leads to suffering and dissatisfaction.

Through their studies and meditation practices, they learn to let go of the need to control every aspect of their life and to embrace the present moment with acceptance. This newfound understanding of non-attachment does not come easily. But as you surrender to the present, you experience a profound sense of peace and contentment that had previously eluded you. 

7. Understanding you are not your ego – A pivotal realization 

A big stage in spiritual awakening was recognizing that the constant stream of thought, and emotions were not ultimately who I am. There was a witnessing awareness beneath the egoic mind. In the space between thoughts, I experienced glimpses of my true nature as consciousness itself. However, it was an ongoing process of catching myself getting re-absorbed in old mental patterns and stories – a continuous cycle of remembering my infinite essence.

8. Experiencing periods of bliss and unity

As conditioned beliefs dissolved, I had experiences of indescribable bliss, love, and a sense of unity with all of existence. These were periods of being absorbed in the rapture of the Divine, a homecoming to my true nature.

During these times, the personal “I” dropped away as I recognized my essence was one with the entire cosmos. There was no meditator, no one being awakened – only the dance of consciousness waking up to itself. 

These experiences arise with different intensity during different stages of awakening.  While these were temporary experiences, they provided a taste of what lies beyond the egoic, limited self.

9. Facing your fears and shadows within 

As my journey of spiritual awakening progressed, I realized I could not bypass the human experience. In fact, I had to go straight through the eye of the storm and face my deepest fears, wounds, and shadows head-on.

I had to dive within the subconscious mind  that had been running my patterns, sabotaging relationships, and creating suffering. Confronting the darkness within myself, while deeply uncomfortable, was a powerful part of integrating aspects of my humanity and divinity.

10. Isolation: Feeling detached from others

This is a common stage of spiritual awakening, when a seeker feels all alone and isolated.

During certain stretches of my inner journey, I felt very alone and isolated from others who lacked a similar level of conscious awareness. As family, friends, and parts of my former identity dissolved, there was a sense of being the “odd one out” who could no longer fully relate. 

11. Living in the present moment 

One of the most tangible shifts was my ability to stay present in the here and now, rather than being consumed by mental projections. Through  meditation practices, I rewired my relationship to the human tendency to resist “what is.” In the present moment, there’s an experience of vastness, stillness, and the profound truth that all I’ll ever have is this moment- and that is more than enough.

12. The dark nights of the soul 

The journey of spiritual awakening is not always filled with light and bliss. There are periods of deep darkness, known as the “Dark Nights of the Soul,” that are as crucial to your spiritual evolution as are moments of insight and joy. These times of struggle and inner turmoil test your resolve and ultimately lead to greater transformation.

During these times, you may feel lost, disconnected, and overwhelmed by a sense of emptiness. The comfort of previous beliefs and spiritual experiences may seem distant, and you might question everything you thought you knew.

My spiritual awakening journey had its periods of joy, insight, and transcendence – what I would call “light” experiences that expanded my sense of being. However, these were counterbalanced by “dark nights” of confusion, loss, ego dismantling, and feeling cut off from the sacred light.

If you are going through the spiritual awakening stage of the dark night of the soul, don’t despair. Rather than bypassing these dark nights, a seeker should see them as utterly essential for transformation. It’s in the void spaces of not knowing, of stripping away identities, where many of the great mysteries will be revealed. 

13. Glimpsing higher states of consciousness 

Seekers might experience these glimpses during various stages of their spiritual awakening. These moments of higher consciousness can occur spontaneously or through spiritual practices. They serve as milestones on the path, encouraging the seeker and affirming that they are on the right path.

Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to glimpse higher, expansive states of consciousness that have profoundly reshaped my perception of reality. In these non-dual states, all sense of separation and identification with form dissolves into the radiant expanse of unified consciousness.

During these experiences, I felt like the ocean observing itself as waves, or the pure spaciousness in which all arises and returns. It was a moment where the boundaries of the self melted away, revealing a deep interconnectedness with all that exists. Words fall short in capturing the essence of these states, but they unveil the truth of our infinite, divine nature.

This experiential oneness is not just a philosophical concept. It’s a reality that transforms how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world. From these experiences arises a profound reverence for the Earth and all beings.

14. Arising of pure consciousness 

One of the most profound stages of spiritual awakening is the realization that fundamentally, we are not the body, emotions, or an individual self. At our core, we are pure consciousness.

We are not separate selves at all. Rather, we are the one infinite consciousness exploring and expressing itself through each unique perspective. The very boundaries of self and reality begin dissolving in profound ways during this stage of awakening. 

Integration: 

The final stage of spiritual awakening is integrating the experience of oneness and universal consciousness into daily life. This is the art of bringing the sacred into the mundane – walking between the worlds of nondual wisdom and doing laundry and paying bills.

Integration is about embracing the ordinary with sacred eyes. Every moment becomes an opportunity to express the divine. Washing dishes is no longer just a chore; it becomes an act of love and presence. Paying bills transforms into a recognition of the flow of energy and resources.

As you integrate your spiritual awakening, you begin to live in harmony with both your inner and outer worlds. The peace and insight gained from your spiritual journey need not be confined to moments of meditation or solitude. Instead, they infuse every aspect of your life.

Think of integration as walking between two worlds: the world of spirituality, where everything is seen as one, and the practical world, where you engage with daily responsibilities. 

Service: Feeling called to help and heal

I’ve felt an innate calling to be of service to humanity and all beings. For me, this has taken the form of  teaching, writing, guiding others on the path, and offering myself unconditional to all spiritual seekers.

This intention to help liberate consciousness and alleviate suffering wherever it exists is a beautiful and noble aspiration, which seekers should embody not at the final stages, but from the very beginning.

When you feel this calling, it is as if your heart is whispering a sacred truth: that in serving others, you are serving that one consciousness which is within you and all. This calling is not merely a choice but a profound recognition of your interconnectedness with all life. When you extend your hand to help another, you are not just performing an act of kindness—you are participating in the cosmic dance of healing and  love.

Rajiv Agarwal 

"We Made Deepak Chopra Rich. Then He Befriended a Predator. "

 

What the Epstein Files 

Reveal About 

American Spirituality

Last week, the House Oversight Committee released over 20,000 pages from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate. Wellness guru Deepak Chopra’s name appeared throughout. Not just mentioned. Embedded. The emails reveal a years-long relationship between a convicted sex offender and one of the world’s most prominent spiritual teachers, a man whose empire is built on promises of healing, consciousness, and transcendence.

The Receipts

Here’s some of what we know:

March 6, 2017: Chopra emails Epstein: “Lat night was a blast. Ended 1 AM.”

Epstein replies: “I’m glad.”

November 2016: 

When a woman drops her lawsuit alleging that Epstein sexually abused her when she was 13 years old, Epstein sends Chopra a news article about it. 

Chopra asks: “Did she also drop the civil case against you?”

“YuP,” Epstein replies.

Chopra responds: “Good.”

This wasn’t a one-time contact. 

CBS News reports that Chopra appears in Epstein’s appointment calendars “at least a dozen times in 2016, 2017 and 2019.” 

They met one-on-one. 

They had dinners with Woody Allen and his wife. 

Their last documented meeting was in April 2019, just three months before Epstein’s arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.

This was nine years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. 

Everyone knew who Jeffrey Epstein was. 

Chopra kept showing up.

When pressed, Chopra told CBS News that 

“Jeffrey Epstein was introduced to me by Barnaby Marsh, former CEO of the Templeton Foundation, as someone who could potentially fund research on the brain and consciousness.” 

Chopra said their meetings were about treating Epstein’s struggles with sleep through meditation, and that “our meetings, focused solely on practicing meditation, lasted about 30 minutes each.”

“Last night was a blast. Ended 1 AM” doesn’t sound like a 30-minute meditation session to me.

This Is About Us, Not Him

Most commentary on Chopra stops here. 

Outrage at his association with Epstein, calls for accountability, no surprise that a “spiritual leader” is exposed as morally corrupt.

But that misses the deeper question: 

Why are we drawn to figures like Chopra in the first place?

Chopra’s Epstein problem is actually our problem. 

We created him. 

We gave him power. 

We made him rich. 

And until we understand why, we’ll just create the next version of him.

As a scholar of religious ethics, I’m less interested in whether Deepak Chopra is a “good person” or a “bad person” than in what his success reveals about American religious culture. 

What does his popularity tell us about ourselves?

The Wise Asian Sage: A Story We Keep Telling Ourselves

Scholar Prea Persaud wrote a brilliant analysis of Jay Shetty (another “monk” turned wellness entrepreneur whose story has been questioned). She argues that figures like Shetty and Chopra are “only successful because [they are] giving us exactly what we want in the exact form we want it.”

Drawing on Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism, Persaud argues that the construction of “the East” always reflects Western anxiety and desires. Sometimes the East gets dismissed as barbaric and superstitious in contrast to a rational, scientific West. Other times (like now) the West gets seen as too materialistic and individualistic, lacking the spiritual depth found in the East.

This isn’t new. From the Transcendentalists (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau) to Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, Americans have repeatedly turned to Asian and South Asian spiritual figures to provide what we assume is missing in Western life.

Persaud notes that these figures succeed by translating “the ‘wisdom’ from the East into the ‘language of the West’ without the bothersome trappings of their particular cultural contexts.” 

They become what she calls: 

“oriental monks” who “have traditionally accentuated their foreignness through their physical appearance (orange robes, ‘Eastern clothing,’ long beards, etc.) as well as an aura of peacefulness.”

Chopra fits this pattern perfectly. 

Though he was educated as a physician in Western medicine, his authority comes from his Indian heritage and his claims to have accessed ancient Eastern wisdom. He ditched the orange robes for stylish clothing and a clean-shaven face, but he kept what Persaud calls “the soft voice and the aura of the calm oriental monk.”

The genius of figures like Chopra is that they claim to have distilled the “true essence” of Eastern religions. 

As Persaud writes:

“No need to label anything or separate it as ‘Hinduism,’ ‘Buddhism,’ ‘Jainism,’ etc. because they’ve extracted the ‘Truth,’ which gets lost in all the messy cultural stuff, disguising the insights and benefits, the core. And access to the core is exactly what we desire.”

—Prea Persaud

The vagueness is the point. 

Chopra presents his spirituality in intentionally hazy terms. 

That’s what his followers want and require. 

Words like “Vedic” and “Ayurvedic” and “consciousness” get deployed not for precision but for atmosphere. They’re foreign enough to sound ancient and authentic, vague enough that you can project whatever meaning you want onto them.

This vagueness serves a crucial function. 

It gives us permission to access spirituality without needing to change anything about our lives. 

You can embrace Chopra’s teachings while remaining fully embedded in capitalist consumer culture. You can be “spiritual” without the demanding ethical commitments of actual religious practice. 

You can buy his $350 meditation glasses and $10,000-a-year “anti-aging” packages and call it enlightenment.

And wait, there is more. 

Chopra’s Western western medical credentials make his quantum mysticism more credible, not less. 

He’s a licensed physician, board-certified, with appointments at prestigious institutions. 

He has the scientific authority of the West combined with the spiritual authenticity of the East. 

He’s the perfect hybrid.

He makes claims like “consciousness may exist in photons” and “the moon exists in consciousness, no consciousness, no moon” that scientists dismiss as nonsense. 

Richard Dawkins calls his work “quantum jargon as plausible-sounding hocus pocus” 

And biologist Jerry Coyne calls him a pseudoscientist “showing all the characteristics of that genre, including the use of meaningless jargon that sounds profound, a refusal to discuss serious criticism of his views, and a deep sense of persecution by ‘the establishment.’” 

But none of this matters. 

His followers aren’t looking for scientific rigor. 

They’re looking for the feeling of profundity that comes from someone who seems to bridge science and spirituality, West and East, material and transcendent.

The scientific-sounding language makes followers feel like they’re accessing cutting-edge knowledge. 

The Indian heritage makes it feel ancient and authentic. 

The vagueness means you can interpret it however you want.

And this approach sells. 

Chopra’s empire is worth an estimated $150-200 million. 

He’s published over 90 books that have sold more than 25 million copies. 

His business grosses over $20 million annually. 

He charges $25,000-$30,000 per speaking engagement. 

He has celebrity endorsements from Oprah, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.

The Pattern: “Spiritual But Not Religious” Isn’t the Solution We Think It Is

Here’s the structural problem that goes far beyond Chopra himself.

We correctly critique religious institutions when they enable abuse. 

We demand accountability from churches, mosques, synagogues. 

We hold clergy to ethical standards. 

We expect transparency, oversight, and consequences when people in power exploit the vulnerable.

But when it comes to spiritual gurus? 

We seem to assume they’re “outside” those oppressive institutional systems, even though there’s plenty of evidence that spiritual teachers can abuse power just as readily as religious clergy.

The power dynamics are even similar. 

Charismatic authority, vulnerable seekers, promised transcendence, specialized knowledge that creates an asymmetric relationship.

One critical difference? 

Spiritual gurus have zero institutional accountability within the wellness industry.

When clergy abuse their power, we can point to institutional failures. 

The hierarchy that protected predators, the denominational structures that prioritized reputation over victims, the theological frameworks that demanded unquestioning obedience. But institutions (for all their profound failures) at least have structures for accountability. Denominations can defrock clergy. Ethics boards can investigate complaints. Congregations can organize for reform. Victims can appeal to higher authorities.

What accountability structure exists for Deepak Chopra? 

None. No ethics board. No denominational oversight. No governing body to whom complaints can be filed. No transparency requirements. No institutional checks on individual charisma.

Just the guru, their followers, and the market. 

And the market rewards charisma, not ethics.

The “spiritual but not religious” move promises liberation from oppressive religious structures. 

But what it often delivers is individualized spiritual consumption with even less accountability than institutional religion offered. You get all the asymmetric power dynamics of the guru-disciple relationship with none of the institutional structures that might constrain abuse.

This doesn’t mean institutional religion is good. 

Religious institutions have enabled horrific abuse, and their accountability structures often fail catastrophically. 

But it does mean that the solution to bad institutions isn’t necessary no institutions.

It might be better institutions. 

Or at minimum, some form of collective accountability beyond individual consumer choice.

What This Reveals About Us

So what are we actually hungry for when we turn to figures like Chopra?

1. We want spiritual depth without material sacrifice. 
2. We want ancient wisdom without cultural context. 
3. We want transformation without discomfort. 
4. We want to feel enlightened without actually changing our lives.

Chopra gives us exactly that. 

• He tells us consciousness can cure cancer. 
• That quantum physics proves we create our own reality. 
• That ancient Vedic wisdom (unspecified) holds the secrets to health, wealth, and happiness. 
• That we can “optimize” ourselves into enlightenment.

He never asks us to give anything up. 

To join a community with obligations. 

To submit to ethical frameworks that might constrain our choices. 

To grapple with theological questions that don’t have easy answers.

He just asks us to buy things. 

Books. Courses. Retreats. Supplements. Apps. Meditation glasses.

What Now?

Chopra’s relationship with Epstein reveals the moral bankruptcy at the heart of his project. 

You don’t maintain a years-long friendship with a convicted sex offender, express relief when his accusers drop their cases, and tell him your time together was “a blast” if you’re genuinely committed to healing and consciousness.

But this goes beyond one guru’s moral failures.

In 1996, a former employee filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Chopra, alleging he made “numerous unwelcome sexual overtures” and that she had to answer calls from women with whom Chopra was having affairs. Chopra denied the allegations and countersued for blackmail. A jury rejected the employee’s lawsuit in 2000 after deliberating for only ten minutes. A jury also rejected Chopra’s blackmail claim.

In 2021, an anonymous woman published a detailed account describing how Chopra sexually exploited her when she was a patient at the Chopra Center seeking treatment for addiction. 

She writes that he initiated a sexual relationship with her while she was vulnerable, in his care, and had disclosed childhood sexual abuse to him in therapy sessions. 

Chopra denies these allegations.

I’m not a lawyer or investigator. 

I don’t know what happened in these cases. 

But I do know that patterns matter. 

And I know that when we give individuals this much power, this much wealth, this much uncritical devotion (with no accountability structures whatsoever), we create conditions where abuse becomes not just possible but likely.

So what do we do?

First, we stop assuming that “spiritual” equals “safe” or that rejecting institutional religion makes someone immune to corruption and abuse of power.

Second, we believe survivors when they tell us about abuse in spiritual contexts, just as we’re (slowly) learning to believe survivors in religious contexts.

Third, we get honest about our own complicity. 

What were we hoping to gain from teachers like Chopra? 

What shortcuts were we hoping to take? 

What responsibilities were we hoping to avoid?

Fourth, we build better structures. 

If religious institutions have failed us, the answer isn’t no structure. It’s better structure. We need accountability frameworks for spiritual teachers. Ethics standards. Transparency requirements. Ways for communities to address harm.

Finally, we do the actual work. 

Real spiritual transformation requires ethical commitment, community accountability, and the willingness to be changed in uncomfortable ways. 

It can’t be purchased. It can’t be optimized. 

It can’t be achieved by buying the right products or following the right guru.

Chopra will be fine. 

His empire will survive this revelation. 

His followers will find ways to rationalize his behavior or simply ignore it. 

As of this publication, Chopra hasn’t addressed his Epstein connections. 

Yesterday’s Substack post from him? 

“Why Creating Reality Is Personal: Reconciling Quantum Physics and Vedanta.” 

Business as usual.

The question is whether we’ll learn anything. 

Whether we’ll do the actual work of building spiritual lives that don’t require guru worship and unaccountable charismatic authority. 

Whether we’ll stop outsourcing our ethics to individuals who promise us easy answers.

The Epstein files revealed a lot about Deepak Chopra.

But what they reveal about us (about what we want, what we’re willing to ignore, what we’re afraid to face) is the real story.

And until we’re willing to look at that story honestly, we’ll just keep creating the next version of him.

Liz Bucar

Signs Your Soul Is Trapped

We all know just how important the connection is between body and spirit. 

In fact, the disciplines of psychology and spirituality are much closer connected than you may think. A very important aspect of any spiritual person’s thoughts is the belief in the existence of the immortal soul. It’s an idea with a very long history and one that has brought much comfort to people who are struggling for one reason or another. 

But what does it feel like when your soul is trapped?

When talking about a trapped soul, we mean when a person feels older than they actually are. (And being wise beyond your years is very hip these days, really.) There is a maturity that drives your actions and words, as well as a feeling of a greater belonging with the world, a strong conviction that you do what you do precisely because you want to do it, not because you have to. Mature souls may face many more difficulties in life due to their depth of awareness and heightened sensitivity, but their challenges also bring a great reward. They are normally very creative and produce art that is years ahead of its time. Living with a trapped soul can be painful, but there are things you can do to free your soul a bit more.

Do you think you may be a mature soul trapped in a young body? 

Here are some signs to look out for.

“Free yourself. 

You are the only one that knows what will make you happy.”

 – Anonymous

Here Are 6 Signs Your Soul Is Trapped 

(and How to Free It)

1. You’re not dating anybody

When you feel like you’re older than your years, you don’t want to just have one-night stands and move on to the next one. You crave a mature, long-lasting relationship – maybe even marriage. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it might mean that you’re missing out on living your best life. Try to convince yourself that your time will come and that you don’t need to rush things. Remember that you have your whole life ahead of you. Maybe try online dating or going out to a club – you will feel like you’re living for the day and it might bring an exciting change to your life.

2. You’re on the outside looking in

Do you feel like you don’t fit in with the “popular” crowd at your college or in your workplace? That might be because you expect a maturity from them that you’re not receiving. It can be a lonely place, likely because you feel you can’t relate to any of the people in your circle. To overcome this, try to befriend people one by one and this may help you relax around them. Feel around for their personality and recognize the good things about it. That way, you’ll find it much easier to fit in.

3. You’re lonely

People whose souls are trapped often find themselves at home on a Friday night with nothing to do. That’s because, again, you feel out of place with the people around you. You prefer the peace and quiet of your own home – as well as its safety. There’s nothing wrong with peace and quiet, but try not to spend your best years trapped indoors. Make sure you go out and get a feel for the place you live and the people around you. If you venture out of your shell, you may find enjoyment of a new kind.

4. Social media isn’t for you

You only check your Facebook once in a while and don’t think about it most of the time. You might have Instagram too because your friend recommended it, but you don’t even know or care about Twitter in the least. That’s because you feel like you’re too adult for these things and you don’t want to waste your time on social media. That’s fine – however, consider the option that maybe your social contacts are suffering because of it. Perhaps you have insights and observations that the world needs (including the millions of people on social media.) Find the healthy balance between your life online and your real life and you’ll be much happier.

5. You’re tired a lot

Having an old soul can exhaust you, and positive thinking alone won’t cut it. Sometimes you physically feel like you’re much older than you should be, which means you get tired, you have muscle aches, and you like spending a lot of your time in bed. There’s nothing necessarily bad in that, but consider that it may also indicate that your soul is trapped and needs a release. Try changing your diet, or pick up a sport and see how it makes you feel. Nothing makes a body and soul feel younger than energy and movement.

6. You’re often misunderstood

Whether it’s by your family, your peers or your significant others, you always feel like no one understands you. It’s easy to think that you’re the only person in the world with an old soul, but it’s not always the case. If you can, open up to someone you trust. It can even be a therapist or a spiritual guru who will be able to guide you to embrace the younger aspects of your soul. Learn how to talk to other people about where your soul is right now and feel the space outside of your own mind. It won’t only help you with your social contacts, but it will also expand your worldview. This type of communication can show you the benefits of being wiser, as other people will no doubt be impressed by your knowledge and maturity.

 

Final thoughts

For people who have old souls trapped in young bodies, life can be quite hard and lonely. But don’t despair, you can still be positive and even youthful toward life. 

Find more ways to be involved with the world around you and with your peers. Even if you need to force yourself to integrate into a certain environment, you will often end up feeling enriched by the end. Remember, having an old soul is no flaw; it’s just the way you are. People who love you and understand you will accept you for you, not for who you pretend to be. But it will benefit you massively if you try to free your soul from the trap of weariness by embracing the fullness that this life has to offer.

Kristen & Chris Butler

in, Power of Positivity

The Definition of the Soul That Made Oprah Cry | The Oprah Winfrey Show ...

DESAPEGO..................o que fazer….como fazer…….

Os Apegos são como os anexos num mail…….são como a “tralha” que normalmente encontramos na mala de uma mulher  …..são como aquelas coisas que guardamos anos e anos a fio num sótão ou numa gaveta…..e isto tb tem a ver com as Pessoas que afinal estão perto de nós…por compaixão …por dó…por mil e uma desculpa que inventamos como uma necessidade…..enfim…….

Apego é tudo aquilo que “nos pesa” /“prende”/“bloqueia “ e já não faz falta nenhuma para nada……..só pesa…..e destrói……é quase como aquele anuncio que aprece na TV das pernas cansadas onde um polvo as prende…..pois a Vida transforma-se nessa “prisão” quando não temos a Consciência e Coragem para enraizar o DESAPEGO……. 

É bom começares a entender que afinal nada nesta Terra é “TEU”……..

TU não és propriedade de ninguém, nem tens o direito de querer a propriedade ou manipulação de Outrem....mesmo que sejam família de sangue......e ao conseguires entender isso é mais fácil Desapegares-TE e acabares com as “escravidões”…….que afinal até te podem levar a graves doenças… 

Considera-te apenas alguém que está a gerir o que lhe foi “dado”/“emprestado “.....por isso quando algo ou alguém já nada acrescenta á tua existência nesta Terra…..livra-te disso……ficas bem mais LEVE……e afinal livras-te do tal “peso” que carregavas……. 

O Desapego não é sinónimo de indiferença….. apatia….. ou falta de energia/amor……nem sequer se resolve com o falar ou deixar de falar com alguém.....

é sim um estado que te é impulsionado do teu interior……e podes fazer o DESAPEGO em Amor….em Paz….e quem sabe até com um Sorriso….pois afinal não é todos os dias que temos a Coragem para nos “livrarmos de um peso”…..de um Ser ou algum bem material...... etc......

O Desapego é feito no teu Coração/Alma....... e não necessariamente na matéria ou terrenamente........

Não há razão para te pré-ocupares com o que os outros pensam ou sentem…..pois és TU que controlas a tua Mente.....a tua Felicidade….e acima de tudo o teu Coração/Alma.......há que aprender a ficar imune a comentários e pensamentos alheios……não é necessário ficar indiferente..... é importante sim que o negativo não de magoe mesmo/muito....

Acaba por se tornar também um bom exercício perante situações que possivelmente em condições normais deixaríamos ir andando………e tendo o Desapego enraizado tudo se torna mais fácil e normal de ser resolvido sem..... “mas nem meios mas”!!!!!!…….

Deves sim estar focada em TI…….saberes controlar a tua Mente e teres Auto Disciplina e --Auto Valorização pessoal…..pois assim tudo o que possa vir do exterior já não te perturba mais…..e vives o teu Agora em Paz……

Afinal trata-se de entrar num NOVO estado/vibração……que ao estar enraizado….já não te enfraquece….desmotiva….já não vacilas…..não ficas com pensamentos de duvida……etc…pois estás segura do teu DESAPEGO…..quando tem de ser…para o teu próprio bem e Tranquilidade……

E em vez de contornares situações ou obstáculos…..estás preparada para os enfrentar……consegues encontrar um caminho que te conduz á tua Paz…..Luz….. e Alegria interior……sentindo a Vida com outro sabor e dançando ao som da Sinfonia da Vida…….

Vais aprender a Amar sem possuir……….e a envolveres-TE sem dependências……

Descobrir a riqueza da Vida que existe em TI…..Confiares em TI…..

Quase como o Sol que nos ilumina e aquece a todos ….embora não domine ninguém…….

Vera Mouths

El apego se vuelve negativo cuando esta necesidad se transforma en dependencia y ansiedad, cuando sentimos que al perder algo o a alguien nos quedamos indefensos y no podemos enfrentar las situaciones que la vida nos presenta. Es por esto por lo que practicar el desapego se convierte en una clave para alcanzar la felicidad. 

Desapegarse significa ser libres… dejar de depender, de necesitar y dejar de vivir con miedo. Desapegarse significa dejar ir todo aquello que no nos deja avanzar para dar espacio a que nuevas cosas lleguen a nuestra vida.

Practicar el desapego es el primer paso para liberarnos de los excesos que nos amarran, esto nos ayudará a apreciar e involucrarnos en las cosas de una manera más saludable y equilibrada, para ello te invito a revisar estos 5 puntos clave que te ayudarán a dar el primer paso hacia una vida sin cadenas.

1. Toma conciencia del desapego. El primer paso siempre es ACEPTAR que debemos y queremos desapegarnos de alguien o de algo. No confundas aceptar con resignación ni conformismo; tomar consciencia y aceptar es darte cuenta y es hacerte responsable de que ya no te hace falta ni tampoco te hace feliz. Al hacer esto darás el primer paso hacia el cambio.

2. Aprende a ser responsable de ti mismo. La responsabilidad es un principio fundamental del desapego. Nosotros somos responsables de nuestra existencia, lo que no hagamos nosotros por nuestra persona, nadie más lo hará, de modo que evita depositar en otros tu felicidad. La felicidad no depende de una pareja o de un trabajo, tampoco de un vestido nuevo. Cultiva tu propio bienestar, no dejes nunca que tu bienestar, dependa de opiniones o consejos ajenos. La única persona que debe cumplir tus expectativas eres tú mism@. 

3. Aprende a dar y no a recibir. Dar es un gran ejercicio para practicar el desapego, pocas cosas hay tan satisfactorias como compartir lo que uno tiene; cuando encuentras la felicidad en dar con amor y generosidad, perderás el miedo a que eso que das tal vez no regrese. Con esta actitud estás generando, además, un flujo de energía positiva trayendo a tu vida todo lo bueno que has dado.

4. Vive el presente. Tendemos a cargar durante años aquellas cosas que en el pasado nos hicieron sentir mal, generando un trauma o bien, tendemos a aferrarnos a aquello que nos hizo sentir muy bien y que ya no tenemos, generando frustraciones. Estos apegos llegan a ser tan fuertes, que únicamente provocan que nos olvidemos de lo más importante: vivir el presente. Vivir de recuerdos nos puede hacer perder la perspectiva y el foco en lo que realmente importa. Recuerda que el presente es lo único que de verdad puedes alterar, el presente es tu oportunidad de encaminar las cosas hacia un brillante futuro. 

5. Asume las pérdidas. Como dice el dicho “nada es para siempre” y eso es con lo que tenemos que lidiar todos los días, pues todo en la vida es temporal. La buena noticia es que esto funciona para bien y para mal: las cosas buenas van y vienen, no debemos darlas por hecho y es mejor que las disfrutemos al máximo cuando se presenten. Las cosas malas, no debemos dejar que se apoderen de nosotros, pues al igual que las buenas, tarde o temprano se irán. Asumir las pérdidas nos librará del miedo y nos empujará a una vida llena de sorpresas.

Finalmente y resumiendo, recuerda que practicar el desapego no se trata de llegar a casa y tirar todo por la ventana, o quedarte sol@ para no depender de nadie. Se trata de liberarte de todo aquello que no le hace bien a tu vida y reforzar aquello que te hace sentir más libre y más liger@; significa sacar la basura de los cajones y llenarlos de energía positiva.

in, Orden Studio

Trigueirinho | O que são Alma, Espírito e Mônada?

Sadhguru On Karma: What are your karma and destiny?

Almas Velhas

"Aqueles que estão agora no fim do ciclo da Roda da Vida (Nascimento/Morte) são conhecidos como almas velhas. Neste estágio de evolução da alma há uma busca de equilíbrio e uma necessidade urgente de conclusão. Por fim, a alma está pronta para a etapa final da viagem: o retorno à unidade e ao final do ciclo das reencarnações na Terra.
Este retorno à unidade não implica qualquer perda da individualidade, como alguns supõem. Em vez disso, a alma completa a sua aventura como um ser único, original e "inteiro".
Os seus principais problemas são, na verdade, existenciais em vez de materiais. 
Para as Almas velhas a prioridade é sempre o seu próprio caminho, ao mesmo tempo que permitem que os outros busquem o deles. 
Ela é mais um cidadão do mundo do que um patriota.
Almas velhas tendem a fazer contacto visual directo e penetram no seu coração e na sua alma, elas não têm medo de olhar o outro nos olhos.
A velha alma passa a perceber cada coisa, cada ser, cada momento, como parte de uma grande tapeçaria."

Staying on Track

In a world where we have routines 

to get everything done, 

we rarely have a routine 

for our spiritual self.

In a world where we have routines for nearly everything - our route to work, our physical fitness regimen, and our weekday schedule - it's amazing how many people forget to create a routine for meeting their spiritual needs. 
We run around in an attempt to be at our many appointments on time and meet our many obligations. In our efforts to be as productive as possible, however, our spiritual needs tend to take a backseat. After all, taking care of our spiritual needs doesn't directly pay the bills or tone our abdominal muscles. We may even wonder who has time to meditate or write in their journal when there are more pressing matters to see to.

The truth is that nurturing ourselves spiritually
is what gives us the energy and grounding that we need
to make sure that our lives stay on track. 

How you choose to nurture yourself spiritually is a personal choice.
For some people, meditating once a day may be what they need to stay centered.
While spending 10-20 minutes with your eyes closed and your brain devoid of thought may seem like a lot of time doing nothing, this state of nothingness actually allows you to stay calm and focused so you can be as productive as possible.
Writing in your journal everyday lets you stay in touch with yourself so that you are always tuned in to your feelings. 
Repeating affirmations for success, happiness, and well-being on a regular basis can help you live with optimism and enthusiasm and create what you want in life.

Having a routine for nurturing your spirit that you do each day lets you feed energy to your soul and can serve you well if your life suddenly takes an unexpected turn into a difficult period. This kind of routine grounds your spirit in your body so that you stay anchored in yourself as you move through each day.

Nurturing yourself spiritually 

allows you to not only stay on track in your life, 

but it allows for your life 

to stay on track with what your spirit wants.

MADISYN TAYLOR

Enlightenment At Home

Spiritual growth can take place anywhere 

if you are open and ready 

to learn and receive.

Many spiritual seekers feel called to far-flung places across the globe in the interest of pursuing the path of their enlightenment. This may indeed be the right course of action for certain people, but it is by no means necessary to attaining an enlightened consciousness. Enlightenment can take root anywhere on earth, as long as the seeker is an open and ready vessel for higher consciousness. All we need is a powerful intention, and a willingness to do the work necessary to moving forward on our path.

In terms of spiritual practice, at this moment, there are more tools available to more people than at any other time in history. We have access to so much wisdom through the vehicles of books, magazines, the Internet, television, and film. In addition, the time-honored practice of meditation is free, and sitting quietly everyday, listening to the universe, is a great way to start the journey within. There is further inspiration in the fact that the greatest teachers we have are our own life experiences, and they come to us every day with new lessons and new opportunities to learn. If we look at the people around us, we may realize that we have a spiritual community already intact, and if we don't, we can find one, if not in our own neighborhood, then on-line.

Meanwhile, if we feel called to travel in search of teachers and experiences, then by all means, we should. But if we can't go to India, or Burma, or Indonesia, or if we don't have the desire, this is not an obstacle in terms of our spiritual development. In fact, we may simply be aware that our time and energy is best spent in our own homes, with our meditation practice and all the complications and joys of our own lives.

We can confidently stay in one place, knowing that everything that we need to attain enlightenment is always available right where we are.




MADISYN TAYLOR

Trabalho Espiritual

Enquanto permanecerdes nos planos astral e mental inferior, estareis tensos, agitados, e nunca encontrareis o silêncio necessário ao trabalho espiritual. É a natureza dos pensamentos e dos sentimentos vulgares que produz tais efeitos, e não pode ser de outro modo.

É preciso conhecer bem a natureza de cada coisa. Assim como os químicos estudam a natureza e as propriedades dos elementos químicos, vós deveis estudar a natureza e as propriedades dos elementos psíquicos.

Ora, precisamente, faz parte da natureza dos pensamentos e dos sentimentos interesseiros, egoístas, provocarem em vós a tensão, a excitação, a desordem. Quaisquer que sejam os esforços que fazeis para meditar, não o conseguireis enquanto não tiverdes dominado em vós os movimentos da natureza inferior.

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

CORPO FÍSICO - ACÇÕES

CORPO ASTRAL - SENTIMENTOS

CORPO MENTAL - PENSAMENTOS

CORPO CAUSAL - PENSAMENTOS SUPERIORES

CORPO BÚDICO - SENTIMENTOS SUPERIORES

CORPO ÁTMICO  - ACÇÕES SUPERIORES