During moments of unhappiness, when we feel lost, alone, or trapped in life we can choose to give in to despair or turn inward for strength, love, and compassion.
Through deep introspection, we may come to realize that our old habits, patterns, and beliefs no longer serve us.
When faced with unexpected existential questions, we often seek the answers through personal growth. Whether it is via higher education, meditation, connecting with nature, or practicing gratitude and mindfulness, the pursuit of inner growth can lead to a spiritual awakening.
The conscientious liberation of the old self results in a multi-layered concept known as spiritual ascension. But what exactly is spiritual ascension? This comprehensive guide will shed light on this enlightening experience.
What is Spiritual Ascension?
Also referred to as enlightenment, spiritual rebirth, mystical experience, or awakening, spiritual ascension is a complex, multifaceted experience.
While it can occur spontaneously, this existential shift is typically triggered by a major life-changing event, such as the death of a loved one, an accident, a health diagnosis, a mental breakdown, a job loss, or a divorce.
Spiritual ascension is a “phenomenon wherein we begin to emanate more light and we tend to become more conscious about our sense of being and our connection with the world around us.”
That is, we move from existing in the three-dimensional realm of consciousness to advancing into a five-dimensional state of being.
As a five-dimensional being, you experience radical compassion and empathy, effortless forgiveness, unconditional self-love and love for others, a heightened sense of harmony with every entity in the world, and the realization that time is an illusion.
The transition of shedding old egocentric patterns and behaviors, however, does not happen overnight as it can be a challenging journey. Contrary to popular belief, advancing toward your higher self is not all angels, rainbows, unicorns, and rays of heavenly light shining upon you from above.
Releasing old patterns, self-limiting beliefs, and habits that have been ingrained within you for most of your life requires a hard look at your relationship with your shadow self and the pain body. This entity resides within us and thrives off misery and despair.
This release is often accompanied by severe and shocking shifts where parts of your old life may fall apart. This is called, “The Dark Night of the Soul.”
Therefore, to reach your higher, most authentic self, you must first embrace the darkness.
5 Levels of Spiritual Ascension
Spiritual ascension is a uniquely personal journey. While no one path is the same, loneliness, confusion, and discomfort often accompany the bliss of spiritual awakening.
There are five levels of spiritual ascension. These stages, however, don’t necessarily occur consecutively or have specific timeframes. And, each level can be repeated multiple times.
Let’s explore the levels of spiritual ascension.
1. Cognitive Awakening
This type of spiritual ascension occurs when you experience a sudden realization about life or the world. You suddenly understand how your behavior and attitude affect your life and the lives of others, as well as how others can impact you.
2. New Personality Awakening
You can develop a new, more enlightened personality when you experience a consistent and deep cognitive awakening.
This shift can occur as you release past limiting or toxic patterns and beliefs. Inevitably, your essence transforms as you develop self-acceptance, love, and compassion.
3. Spiritual Awakening
During this phase of spiritual ascension, you awaken your spiritual energy at both a physical and spiritual level. Practices such as Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation can help with your spiritual awakening.
Spiritual awakening can occur gently or intensely.
An intense and sudden spiritual awakening releases your life force energy so swiftly it can be overwhelming and potentially unbearable. It can cause mood swings, mania, sleeplessness, seizures, changes in appetite, hypersensitivity, and altered states of consciousness, all of which can be terrifying and confusing for the inexperienced.
Conversely, a gentle spiritual awakening allows you to gradually experience higher physical and spiritual energy levels. As you slowly progress, you may feel rushes of energy or tingling through your body, changes in your libido, and a heightened cosmic, spiritual awareness.
4. Soul Awakening
An awakening of the soul during spiritual ascension can be instantaneous and short, or longlasting.
A temporary soul awakening, also known as “Satori” in Zen Buddhism, can be a fleeting moment or can last several days. During this time, you briefly see into your authentic eternal essence.
In a lengthy soul awakening, you feel one with your soul’s purpose, your higher self, and the universe. You see yourself as eternal and limitless, and you shift from an ego mindset to a universal perspective where compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, and unconditional love are at the core of everything you do.
5. Complete Awakening
As with the other stages of spiritual ascension, complete awakening can happen suddenly or after many years of spiritual introspection and training.
During complete awakening, also known as enlightenment, you experience complete ego death, meaning that you are one with all. You are everything and nothing at the same time.
According to Aletheia Luna of Lonerwolf, when the “ego is finally seen, understood, and overcome…all that remains is the Pure Awareness, Presence, Love, and Truth.”
6 Mystical Signs of Spiritual Ascension
While no one experiences spiritual ascension in the same manner, there are some common signs or patterns you may notice as your mind, heart, and soul evolve to a higher vibration.
1. You Become More Mindful
As you experience spiritual ascension, you become increasingly reflective. You gradually release fear about the future and regret about the past to focus solely on the present.
And you learn to see others’s habits and views with kindness and curiosity instead of judgment.
2. You Activate Your Intuition
As you learn to release the ego, you become increasingly aware of the different energies emanating from people and objects.
You experience signs from the universe in the form of coincidences, ‘deja vu’, or sudden epiphanies. This elevated discernment enables you to make more enlightened decisions and understand people’s intentions with greater ease.
3. You Manifest Effortlessly
Your increased awareness can also lead you to notice patterns and synchronicities everywhere. When your thoughts, beliefs, and actions are in harmony they can lead to the manifestation of your dreams and goals.
4. You Feel Aligned with the Universe
As you continue to release your egocentric tendencies, you slowly lose your prejudice, judgment, and preconceived notions about the world around you. As a result, you begin to consider other’s perspectives and circumstances.
This newfound understanding fosters a sense of harmony and unity with all that surrounds you.
5. You Feel Greater Empathy
As you release your self-centered patterns and adopt an unbiased perspective, you also create more room for acceptance and compassion.
By cultivating a deeper sense of unconditional love and compassion toward yourself, you ultimately extend it to those around you.
6. You Experience Clarity and Authenticity
As you release your old self, including thoughts and ideologies that no longer benefit you, you question your choices, goals, and priorities while your self-love and self-worth continue to grow.
This increased clarity guides your soul, propelling you toward your authentic self and purpose. Society’s understanding and acceptance are no longer your main concern. Instead, you derive fulfillment from within.
17 Common Physical Symptoms of Spiritual Ascension
As you move through your spiritual ascension journey your body also experiences a shift in your life force energy. Every cell in your body adapts to new ways of being.
These are a few physical symptoms you may experience during spiritual ascension.
- Body Shivers
- Dizziness
- Vibrations on the Top of Your Head
- Humming in the Ears
- Warm Hands and Feet
- Trembling between the Eyebrows
- Headaches
- Skin inflammation
- Sleeplessness
- Bloating
- Water Retention
- Aches and Pains
- Uncontrollable Eye Movements
- Eye Sensitivity
- Eye Color Changes
- Food Intolerances
- Exhaustion
Everyone’s journey is different during spiritual ascension. Therefore, you may experience some or all of the above physical symptoms at different intensities and regularity.
What to do During Spiritual Ascension?
Spiritual ascension requires you to leave behind your old beliefs and toxic habits. As you do this, life as you know it will crumble and disintegrate. It is an arduous, lonesome, and bewildering process.
Therefore, you must be gentle with yourself and allow your body and mind to slowly adapt to your newly awakened self.
Do not rush the process. Once spiritual ascension starts it cannot be stopped; however, there will be periods of complete overwhelm during which you might stall, descend levels, or momentarily halt your progress.
Do not despair when this happens. You need these moments to allow your body, mind, and spirit to adjust to your new self. Used wisely, these can be periods of rest and recovery.
Spend time in nature to recharge and calm your soul. Walk barefoot on the grass, take a stroll in the rain, soak up the morning sun, listen to the crickets at dusk, or sit under a tree at a local park. Can’t get outdoors? Watch a nature video or documentary or introduce greenery into your living space.
Practice mindfulness and meditation to connect to a higher power. Notice the sensations in your body several times a day. When you are aware of how your body feels, you no longer think of your past or your future, only the present.
Quiet your mind and breathe deeply at the beginning and of each day.
Expand your knowledge by reading books, attending workshops, watching documentaries, and listening to podcasts on various teachings on spirituality.
Keep a journal of your spiritual ascension journey. Writing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can help you reflect on your progress and connect you with your authentic self.
Be grateful for who you are, your progress, where you’ve been, what you have, and the people in your life. Surround yourself with inspiring, positive, uplifting people who are supportive of your spiritual path.
And find ways to give back to your community or a cause close to your heart through acts of service, kindness, and compassion.
Most importantly, don’t rush the process. Trust that your spiritual ascension journey will unfold as it is meant to. Be gentle and patient with yourself. Embrace every high and low moment, knowing there is divine timing guiding your path.
Final Thoughts on Spiritual Ascension
Often triggered by a major, life-changing event, or simply a craving for a meaningful life, spiritual ascension is a journey of self-reflection and the release of the ego and toxic patterns and beliefs.
This desire to transcend from merely existing to living a fulfilling life, to experience the world as a five-dimensional being, will find you exploring your darker, shadow self.
However, as you progress through the five levels of spiritual ascension you will discover your authentic self and your oneness with the universe.
