Something is shifting, morphing, and evolving in your life. These alchemical changes might be subtle or shocking, sudden or progressive … but whatever the case, something is transforming below the surface. You are like the caterpillar dissolving in its cocoon.
Perhaps life is heading in a surprising direction. New doors may be opening to you, out of the blue. Synchronicities may increase. And what haunted you before is beginning to fade away.
You just aren’t the same person you used to be – and this can feel disorienting yet titillating!
If you can relate to these feelings and intuitions, you might be going through a spiritual transformation.
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What is Spiritual Transformation?
Spiritual transformation is what happens when we evolve on the level of the Soul. Like a lotus flower (which is symbolic of inner alchemy), we emerge from the muddy waters of the ego into more sky-like expansion. Spiritual transformation can happen slowly throughout time or in an unexpected, fast, or intense way.
Examples of Spiritual Transformation
To help illustrate spiritual transformation in a more nuanced way, here are a few common experiences of spiritual transformation that people have:
- Letting go of an old toxic pattern or behavior
- No longer feeling limited by a certain trauma
- Becoming more authentic and soul-centered
- Desiring to open up rather than shut down (and hide)
Of course, there are endless possibilities when it comes to spiritual transformation. Can you relate to any of the above examples? (If you have your own unique story to share, feel free to write it in the comments below.)
Spiritual Transformation vs. Spiritual Awakening (What’s the Difference?)
While spiritual awakening and spiritual transformation sound similar and are certainly connected, these two experiences are different. Let me explain why, just to clear up any confusion:
Spiritual awakening is an umbrella term that refers to the spiritual path as a whole. Spiritual transformation, on the other hand, is what happens within the spiritual journey.
Another way of distinguishing these two terms is by seeing spiritual awakening as a force of change that happens at the very beginning of the spiritual journey. And spiritual transformation is what happens near the end of the spiritual journey.
Keep in mind, though, that the spiritual journey is cyclical – so we may undergo a transformation and then begin a new era of awakening which will eventually lead to another transformation. The cycle is an ever-expanding mandala.
9 Signs You’re Experiencing a Spiritual Transformation
Our whole spiritual transformation brings us to the point where we realize that in our being, we are enough.
– Ram Dass
In essence, spiritual transformation is about returning closer and closer to the Centre of our being. It is a culmination point where all of our effort, all of our inner work and soul work, and all of our spiritual journeying begins to ‘pay off.’
However, the rewards we receive are not always what we expect – they are what we need rather than what we want. (Of course, it’s entirely possible to get what we both want and need.)
As a cyclical process, spiritual transformation is bound to happen to all of us walking the spiritual path not just once, but many times over – each time helping us to embody deeper layers of our True Nature.
Here are some key signs of spiritual transformation. How many can you identify in your own life?
1. Old ways of being disintegrate
You begin noticing thought patterns, habits, beliefs, and other limiting ways of being crumble – they don’t have the same hold on you as they once did. This dissolution or death and rebirth can cause you to feel many different feelings. Some people feel relief and gratitude, while others feel nervous and on-edge. Whatever the case, just know that it’s part of the natural flux of spiritual transformation.
Read: 7 Stages of Spiritual Alchemy »
2. New doorways open
You might be presented with new and unexpected opportunities for growth. In particular, synchronicities (or meaningful coincidences) will increase, and you’ll feel like you’re living ‘in the flow.’ Whatever you do seems to yield important results and there’s no longer what feels like an ‘invisible barrier’ preventing you from progressing.
3. Letting go and surrendering
You feel more comfortable letting Life take over the driving seat for a while, trusting in its wisdom. Letting go, letting be, and surrendering to Spirit becomes more second-nature to you. In the past, you would have struggled and resisted a lot, but now, you feel more at peace with ‘handing over the reins.’
Read: What is Inner Peace? (12 Paths to Liberation From Suffering) »
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4. Self-identity loosens
As you undergo the process of spiritual transformation, the attachment to your ego becomes more transparent. You cease being stuck in limited and rigid ways of being. There’s a freshness and lightness within your mind and heart that makes it easier to be fluid and adaptable. Because your ego lessens, you react less to other people and events that would usually rile you up.
5. Some people in your life leave
This doesn’t always happen, but it’s common to witness people moving on and leaving your life during spiritual transformation. Some say this is because you’re no longer “vibrationally matched” to them – or in more down-to-earth terms, you’ve each learned your lessons from the other and it’s time to get gone. You might feel a sense of relief or alternatively a sense of grief for the departure of those once close to you. Whatever the case, let yourself feel these emotions and know that it’s a necessary part of the cycle of life.
6. Profound insights into the nature of reality
It’s common to receive an influx of deep understanding about your life and the universe during spiritual transformation. These epiphanies are often referred to as ‘cosmic downloads’ – it’s as if your head opens and you’re absorbing all there is to know about the Great Mystery. What was once hidden or obscured now becomes clear, and the puzzle pieces of your life begin to fit together.
Read: The 9 Stages of Spiritual Self-Realization »
7. Energetic purging and detoxification
Perhaps one of the less enjoyable aspects of spiritual transformation is what I call energetic purging and detoxification. This purification is usually manifested in our bodies and can sometimes become quite disruptive. Another name for this experience is undergoing a kundalini awakening where the primal life force energy rises within us, and with it, clears out old ‘energetic blockages.’
8. More inner security and trust in Life
Most of us live our lives in a state of near-constant anxiety. Even if we’re not consciously aware of this fear, it’s always lurking at a deeper subconscious level. During spiritual transformation, some (and in very rare cases, all) of this looming anxiety dissolves. What we’re left with is more trust in the unfathomable wisdom of Life or the Divine. We understand that everything is working for us, not against us. This enhanced trust leads to feelings of greater inner security as we come to see that nothing can truly touch our Essence.
9. Deepening love and compassion
Finally, we come to one of the most (if not the most) beautiful aspects of spiritual transformation: love.
Our connection with our heart increases and sometimes expands to feelings of compassion for all beings. The hatred and resentment we once felt towards certain people bursts and is replaced with understanding, love, and oftentimes grief for their pain. We experience what is known as Christ Consciousness (or Oneness) where we embrace and simultaneously mourn all beings.
Of course, it’s common to experience varying degrees of this heartfulness ranging from more a heart-centered understanding to complete unconditional cosmic love. What’s most important is not how much we experience, but how deeply it impacts us and transforms our old patterns.
Read: What is Spiritual Oneness? (+ 5 Ways to Experience It) »
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In the end, spiritual transformation is not really something we can control: it is a gift from Life. It’s an organic result of turning inwards, dissolving the shadows that obscure our Inner Light, and seeking freedom.
Furthermore, spiritual transformation tends to come and go in waves. For example, we may experience a long or short period of transformation, but that experience will eventually fade away and be replaced with something new. Such is the nature of existence. :)
What has your experience of spiritual transformation been like? I’d love to hear below in the comments! What have you learned through it?
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I am currently undergoing a spiritual transformation, so the timing of this article appearing in my email felt very significant! Thank you for your great insights and helping me to pinpoint what it is I’m going through and continue to release resistance.🌿
I believe I’d always been on the cusp of something. Even as a very young child, I was very spiritual, and always into the mystical..I had several depressive episodes in my life, (& lots of fears and anxieties)..but the last one, when I was 50 yrs. old, set me on the path..
After a lifetime of trauma and four years of intense soul searching and therapy I finally underwent gender affirming surgery last December at the age of 56. Nine weeks later my partner of 22 years died very unexpectedly while on holiday abroad with friends.
I have definitely passed through the dark night of the soul on my journey and I now find myself starting a new life in so many ways and on so many levels, which is both daunting and exciting.
Sounds awesome. Hmm I may be getting closer to one, a lot of things are happening in my life but old thoughts and hang ups still haunt me a lot. Spiritual transformation is epic!
Here’s my story: For context, I had a traumatic brain injury as a teenager. Before that, as a child I was filled with so much potential, strived for greatness and always maintained good grades. After, everything went downhill. I started not caring about grades, made terrible decisions and ended up with an abusive boyfriend. I honestly believe the TBI changed my whole life. Until recently, I was in a deepening depression for over a year. In the last few months it crept up and became so much worse. I pushed all of the people who cared away. I had no drive and no ambition. I ignored alarming health problems because I simply just didn’t care if I was going to die. I felt like the universe was trying to tell me something, but again I just didn’t care. I was constantly crying out of nowhere (never cried much before) Last Saturday, I was in bed for 17 hours, miserable and at my darkest point. I begged the universe to help me, to open up some kind of doorway and for some kind of miracle. The next night after work, I was getting in my shed and had a heavy wooden… Read more »
I feel exhausted all the time, my eye sight is blurred, I’m having vivid dreams and seeing synchronicities everywhere especially “444”, and i have a sudden deep connection with the Devine. I could feel a change happening within me I just didn’t know what it was until I started being curious. I thought I was going crazy…
I can’t disclose my real name due to the sensitive nature of who are my clients, but the most weird (in a positive way) situations have been occurring twice in within the past 5 days. I was fortunate to be in the right place and time to receive amazing blessings spoken to me by complete strangers. One even told me in a foreign language that I have a spirit of life within. I know what was spoken to me because I asked what does it mean. It’s been exciting and I wonder what is next.
I’m experiencing this right now, and over the past 3 months.
My Spiritual Awakening caught me by surprise. I came out of a very deep emotional trauma, to numbness, and feeling outside of my body. The way I normally saw people, places, and things were no longer present. Instead, my mind was clear, and thoughts were absolutely vivid. I couldn’t go back to what once felt comfortable and it actually felt like a disrespect to even consider it. The mystic forces around me removed the words to even be able to express with anyone what had transformed me – Spirit knowing well that others were not ready to receive such a disclosure of evolution. I moved very slowly into rebirth. Complete mind, body, and spirit ascension. I treaded very lightly, and my senses were heightened at every move and thought. I wasn’t confident in what I was experiencing but to my delight, I felt soft energy all around me as though it were directing my path. I accepted it. As I trusted Source, I stepped into the dynamic dimension of my Spiritual Awakening. I love it and sometimes it brings tears to my eyes.
Thank you for this valuable info. I can attest to all of this. It’s reaffirming that O am on this path.