What is (spiritual) consciousness, and where does it originate? Both religion and science have been attempting to answer these questions to this day. Rarely do we pause to become aware of the fact that we can consciously perceive our own consciousness. However, even if many of us lead our lives inattentively, we still possess consciousness. One does not necessarily have to be spiritual to recognize this truth. Developing a spiritual consciousness for oneself and one’s life, however, means consciously embarking on an exploration into this own consciousness.

And what exactly is spirituality? Spirituality is, in the broadest sense, the search for the self. However, this is not about what we often understand as “self” nowadays, namely the body and mind. When we say “I,” we typically refer to the person and personality as we know ourselves – this self does not need to be found. Yet, many people reach a point in their lives where they can intuitively sense that this is not all there is, and the search for the true self, one’s spirituality, and inner life begins. A spiritual consciousness arises and leads individuals on the most fascinating journey in this life: the journey back to oneself.

Spiritual expansion of consciousness – can it be approached methodically?

Spiritual awakening is understood as the moment or process when a person becomes aware that they are not the person but the consciousness behind that person. This can be a gradual, step-by-step process or a sudden awakening. This spiritual awakening can be triggered by a life-changing event, such as an accident or a diagnosis. Of course, this does not mean that everyone who has experienced difficult moments in life is automatically spiritual or “woke.” However, there is a strong tendency in general: there seems to be a direct connection between personal suffering and spiritual awakening. Presumably, this is because the higher the pain, the more intense the search for healing or ways out of the current situation becomes. You start questioning yourself and your surroundings.

Different Phases of Spiritual Awakening

The process or moment of spiritual awakening is highly individual for many people and can be challenging to categorize into distinct phases. However, most individuals go through at least the following phases at some point:

1. The Awakening: Here, one becomes aware that they are more than just a body and mind. They begin to question what this “more” is and explore their own consciousness. They start to understand that they are not a separate being in a hostile universe but rather connected to everything around them. The victim mentality is gradually shed, and creative leadership in one’s own life is assumed.
2. Dark Night of the Soul: After their awakening, many people go through a period where old belief systems surface due to the newly found spiritual consciousness, intending to be resolved. This network of thoughts and emotions, usually formed in childhood, reveals where they have self-limited until now. These beliefs have been within them all along, unconsciously guiding them through life, but now, they can consciously examine them for the first time. Sometimes, it feels like a veil has been lifted, and past situations can suddenly be reinterpreted. However, this phase can be associated with very strong, negative, or painful emotions as old emotions linked to these beliefs are re-experienced.
3. Activating Personal Creative Power: In this phase, individuals begin to understand how much influence they have on their lives and actively start shaping it. They realize that they are the spiritual consciousness behind everything, and it is this consciousness that shapes their entire life. They understand that they can be who they want to be.

Spiritual transformation is rarely a linear process, and individuals often go through these phases multiple times in their lives. Dark phases are often strongly rejected until one understands that precisely this stage of spiritual transformation offers an incredible opportunity to let go of things that do not serve them well. This applies not only to the material world but also to thoughts and emotions. It is a time of purification and returning to oneself.

How to Trigger Spiritual Awakening

If you find yourself asking this question, chances are you are already in the midst of it. However, spiritual consciousness develops in its own unique way and cannot be forced. Here is a list of things that may help you on your journey of self-discovery:

1. Self-Reflection: To discover who you truly are, question everything you believe about yourself.
2. Seek Role Models: Podcasts, YouTube channels, and books from people you admire can help you see beyond your current perspective.
3. Get Help: You don’t have to do everything alone—psychological counseling can be a valuable ally in your journey.
4. Connect with Like-minded Individuals: Having people in your life who are on a similar path makes the journey easier.
5. Meditate: Through meditation, you can intensify your self-exploration and perhaps hear things that go unnoticed in the noisy routine of daily life.

Spiritual Consciousness and Awakening in Relationships

One of the most significant catalysts for developing spiritual consciousness is a partnership. Due to the close bond with our partner, this special relationship serves to mirror our own belief systems more intensely. While this can be challenging and exhausting at times, it also offers the opportunity for closer examination. As the most significant mirror we have in life, our partnership vividly shows us where we still need to work on ourselves.

Spiritual Consciousness & Awakening: What is it?

It is fundamentally possible to turn to various tools for expanding consciousness, but one should also be aware that the development of spiritual consciousness often takes its own path, and we are continually confronted with surprises. This is partly because we mainly perceive the process of becoming spiritually conscious from the limited perspective of our ego, and the broader connections remain hidden from us. Additionally, one must question why there is such a rush to engage in spiritual consciousness expansion. It is one of the ailments of our civilization that we always want to do everything faster and better – which is precisely the opposite intention of fostering our spiritual consciousness. It is not about self-optimization but self-discovery, and in the endeavor to develop a higher consciousness for oneself and one’s environment, these ways of thinking must be discarded sooner or later.

Nevertheless, it will happen repeatedly that we let our ego guide us instead of listening to our Higher Self – the more conscious we become, the more likely we are to notice this. What is the ego? Spiritually, the ego is the person with whom we identify and everything that goes along with it. Our name, our body, our thoughts, and emotions. The Higher Self, on the other hand, is the part within us that has never lost access to higher levels of consciousness and guides us through synchronicities, experiences, and intuition. Often, the Higher Self is also referred to as the soul or Divine Self. And while understanding the significance of the Higher Self and differentiating it from the ego is crucial, especially in the initial phases of our spiritual development, it is equally important to recognize that at a certain point, this division becomes irrelevant. Ultimately, everything is one, and this categorization does not occur on all levels of consciousness.

Dissolving the Ego: Is it Possible?

It is possible to dissolve the ego, but probably not in the way you might think. Like everything else, the ego serves a specific purpose. Only through your ego do you have the ability to experience the world as it is. Dissolving it would mean not being able to perceive the world as you know it. However, that is not your original intention. You are here to get to know yourself from this perspective and rediscover yourself. It is not necessary to dissolve the ego to expand your spiritual consciousness. On the contrary, the realization lies in understanding that your ego does not truly limit you. You are the ego – and at the same time, everything that is. Isn’t that much more exciting than the assumption that you have to get rid of something? The ego is just as much a part of you as your Higher Self; it’s all you. Making judgments would mean not accepting parts of yourself. Does that sound like spiritual consciousness?

By the way, there is also a collective spiritual consciousness, or ego. This term refers to the collective consensus that exists on many topics. For example: Eating vegetables is healthy. This is a collective belief agreed upon by everyone in this space-time dimension.

Can LSD Help Develop Higher Consciousness?

Indeed, the consumption of psychedelics (whether LSD, mushrooms, Ayahuasca, or others) has intriguing effects on our spiritual consciousness. Through hallucinogens, a temporary “Ego-Death” can be achieved, helping to expand our spiritual consciousness and gain insight into higher spiritual consciousness levels. This death of the ego can be quite frightening as you leave behind everything you know. It’s important to note that the ego doesn’t truly die; in this moment, you only have access to consciousness levels that you cannot perceive through the lens of your ego. This can assist in gaining an enhanced understanding of who you truly are.

Caution: When using psychedelics, it’s important to distinguish between Highdosing and Microdosing – the latter is more helpful for increased energy in daily life rather than for spiritual consciousness expansion. In general, self-experiments should always be conducted with proper preparation.

Spiritual Consciousness: Being Spiritual and Aware

Sounds complex? It is – and at the same time, it isn’t. On this journey, one often has to leave logic behind and embrace the paradox. Developing your own spiritual consciousness is a personal and individual process, and you are your best teacher. You know where you’re headed, and even when it seems like you’ve forgotten, that knowledge is within you. All the gurus and spiritual teachers who may have already helped you or will help you along the way can only do one thing: guide you back to your own wisdom and spiritual consciousness.

10 January 2019y.