The Dark Night of the Soul & Other Spiritual Awakening Myths (+ 5 Traps to Avoid)
Knowing the myths about spiritual awakening (and the traps you can fall for) is vital to your spiritual ascension.
So, in this post, we’ll—
Discuss the Dark Night of the Soul and 4 other “myths” about spiritual awakening.
Point out five traps people often fall for when they experience spiritual awakening.
Clarify a very important distinction about spiritual awakening, trauma, and healing.
Getting the full blessings of spiritual awakening relies on your awareness of what is true and not true. This guide will help you move forward on your path, in knowledge and wisdom.
Ready?
Let’s go.
Myths About Spiritual Awakening
At the beginning of a spiritual awakening, we’re undergoing a transition—our Soul wants to ascend, and it needs for us to come along.
But as much as we want to follow our Higher Self, we’re very often held powerfully in place by our Ego, which leaves us prey to misconceptions and may even cause us to become prideful and (unintentionally) exclude others.
This doesn’t make us bad—we are human, after all--but it is a missed opportunity to grow a
s individual spirits and for us to come together more harmoniously with the world around us.
So, with that in mind, let’s look at a few myths of spiritual awakening—
A Spiritual Awakening Always Arrives with a Dark Night of the Soul
Google “spiritual awakening” and you’ll often see “The Dark Night of the Soul” prominently featured.
But to suggest that this is a ritual one must pass through is a myth.
We arrive at our own spiritual awakening for reasons as unique as the person we are. And the truth is, many people experience it as an intense but natural pivot from the life they’d been leading, without the inner turmoil typical of a Dark Night of the Soul. And though certain aspects of who we are (and what we value) may predict a Dark Night of the Soul, it just as often does not.
There simply is no one event that signals spiritual awakenings. It happens for reasons of its own, in what way your soul decides.
Spiritual Awakening Is a Nondenominational, Non-Religious Experience.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Spiritual awakening beckons a lifelong journey of discovery that often begins in a church, temple, a mosque, or synagogue.
The crux is this—does the person begin to grow and learn as the result of the experience? Does their soul continue to spiritually ascend?
Whether it’s taking place within the fellowship of a house of worship, or alone in the wilderness, all that matters are the changes taking place inside you, that reflect the unique needs and desires of your Soul.
A Spiritual Awakening Brings Instant Enlightenment
If a path in life is worth taking, it probably won’t take you straight to your destination. There’s simply too much to be learned from our mis-turns.
Make no mistake, spiritual awakening is a lifelong journey. Keep that in mind, and you’ll free yourself of the disappointment of discovering nothing comes instantly, nothing always comes easily.
There is only joy, the joy of lessons we learn on the way.
Only “Old Souls” Experience Spiritual Awakening.
There’s a ton of info out there on Old Souls and Young or New Souls. And though it’s fun guessing just how old (mature) our Souls actually are, the very fact that we can never really know puts to lie this myth.
Anyone can and will experience a spiritual awakening if their Soul--young or old--is ready to begin its ascension.
Once You’re “Awakened”, It’s All Smooth Sailing
Regrettably, it’s not.
Spiritual growth is a process, one we follow as we develop our own variation of spiritual alchemy. And most importantly, it’s neither linear nor immediate.
It’s work—overcoming our shadows and inner woundings--and it can be very frustrating when we find ourselves on a path we impulsively chose without proper guidance.
But when we humble ourselves and begin to grow, we discover that there is never a right or wrong decision, but only growth that takes place amidst the trials and tribulations we weather on the way.
Common Traps for those on the Spiritual Awakening Path
Like spiritual awakening myths, the “traps” we encounter on our path towards ascension are evidence the Ego is still strong within us. Here are a few “potholes” to look out for.
Thinking Spiritual Awakening is a Spiritual Bypass
Spiritual awakening doesn’t mean the hidden shadows of your life--childhood traumas, psychic wounding-- will magically disappear. For the Self (soul) to grow, we need to do our inner work--honestly and bravely.
Only then will we move forward on our spiritual path.
Believing You’re Good and They’re Evil
Spiritual awakening is the pursuit of Oneness, the gift of seeing yourself in others. However, it’s easy to confuse spiritual awakening with a “cleansing” that elevates us above others.
Feeling superior to others, disassociating with those we mistakenly see as inferior, is the Ego maintaining its judgmental influence on us.
Keep your focus on yourself, observe yourself growing in humility and gratitude, and you’ll be the living embodiment of real spiritual awakening.
Seeing Yourself As a “Spiritual” Person
Labels—applied to ourselves and others—is a vestige of the Ego. Spiritual awakening is about transcending those labels.
Any self-identification that goes beyond seeing yourself as merely a “soul having a human experience” is evidence that the Ego is still strong. This will change as we progress along the spiritual awakening path.
Expecting Immediate Piety and Bliss
Spiritual awakening is about growth, and though the onset of the experience may come on suddenly, your personal transformation probably won’t be.
So don’t think you need to be Miss Love and Light. It’s every bit the trap as thinking we’re better than others.
Focus instead on “courageous”, and “grateful” -- qualities that will get you through the difficult times and allow you to experience the full blessings of spiritual awakening.
Acting Nice (Or Thinking You Need To)
Up until now, your life has been steered by a powerful combination of rules, laws, and behavioral norms. So, you may think that--in the wake of your spiritual awakening--anything less than “being nice” is unacceptable.
Our gift to you?
It’s okay not to be.
You’re human. And acting up is part of that. And your “failure” to be terminally nice doesn’t at all mean that your spiritual awakening wasn’t true.
Spiritual awakening is personal growth--not behavioral conversion—and our thoughts and actions evolve upwardly naturally as we begin to see ourselves as One with the world around us.
Your Journey, Free of Pitfalls
In the excitement of spiritual awakening, it’s easy to slip on faulty misconceptions. This doesn’t make you bad, it doesn’t mean you didn’t have a true spiritual awakening.
But it does mean you’re human.
Remember that spiritual awakening is an intensely individual experience, unique and different for everybody. And there simply aren’t any rules.
Just a wonderful opportunity for growth.
Grasp the blessing, seek out good teachers and walk your own path, guided in wisdom, and love, for yourself and for others.
Blessings to you on your journey.
If you or someone you know could use support, more clarity or understanding while experiencing a Dark Night of the Soul and/or Spiritual Awakening, I can help you. Click here to reach Christine
If you found this article helpful, please share with others.
Christine Ryan, Sedona, AZ
ICP Certified Life Coach.
Certified Spiritual Response Therapy Practitioner
Conscious Connective Breathwork Practitioner
Exploring Your Passions and Soul Purpose
christineryanlifecoach1@gmail.com
We are all on a unique path. I've spent over forty years of my life helping others find their way. My Life Coaching is custom tailored and based on the fundamental truth and my years of life experiences. We will work together, as a team, to create the life you want and deserve. Join me on this magical journey of development and transformation.
In my practice, I use emotional clearing and healing practices, counseling, action plans and tools to help you transformation from pain and lack to the life joy, harmony and the fulfillment you are seeking.
Blessings on your journey.
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