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ยป Home ยป Rebirth

The 9 Stages of Spiritual Self-Realization

by Aletheia Luna ยท Updated: Sep 21, 2024 ยท 111 Comments

Image of a tree and sun symbolic of self-realization
Self-realization quote by Aletheia Luna

Self-realization is one of those phrases that we hear on the spiritual path that goes in one ear and out the other. We donโ€™t give it much thought, yet itโ€™s at the very heart of EVERYTHING.

Without seeing Self-Realization as the ultimate point of the spiritual awakening journey, our paths are vague, blurry, and disjointed.ย 

We donโ€™t really know why weโ€™re doing what weโ€™re doing. And if we do have some faint reason, we never feel truly satisfied because everything we obtain, all the spiritual brownie points we collect, ultimately feel empty and disappointing.


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In fact, when we lose sight of the importance of Self-Realization, our spiritual paths are nothing but one distraction after another.

We become spiritual consumers, dabbling here and there in attractive spiritual โ€œproducts,โ€ without ever really diving deep.

I call this “Rabbit Hole Spirituality”: like Alice in Wonderland, weโ€™re constantly falling into endless rabbit holes of new trends, exciting practices, and sparkly feel-good philosophies.

But the reality is that weโ€™re lost in a surface world full of superficiality, and eventually, something new will come along and catch our eye, and off into another Rabbit Hole weโ€™ll fall.

Thankfully, there are paths out there that are aligned with a deeper form of spirituality โ€“ and all of them lead to Self-Realization in one way or another.

If youโ€™re not quite sure what the hell Self-Realization is, or how to experience it, keep reading.

Table of contents

  • What is Self-Realization?
  • The 3 Shamanic Realms of Self-Realization
  • The 9 Stages of Spiritual Self-Realization
    • 1. Self-Awareness
    • 2. Self-Exploration
    • 3. Self-Discovery
    • 4. Self-Understanding
    • 5. Self-Love
    • 6. Self-Transformation
    • 7. Self-Mastery
    • 8. Self-Transcendence
    • 9. Self-Realization
  • How to Experience a Taste of Self-Realization

What is Self-Realization?

Image of a solar eclipse symbolic of self-realization

There are two definitions of Self-Realization: one is secular, and the other is spiritual.

According to various Western psychological and philosophical traditions, Self-Realization is the fulfillment of our personal potential in life. Essentially, itโ€™s being all that we can be in an unlimited, expansive sense.


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However, according to Eastern spirituality, Self-Realization is the knowledge and embodiment of our True Nature or the Higher Self beyond the ego.ย 

Here we have two strangely conflicting definitions from the East and West.

Which definition is correct?

Actually, neither definition is right or wrong: both are equally relevant as they uphold, and relate to, each other. Iโ€™ll explain why next.ย 

The 3 Shamanic Realms of Self-Realization

Image of a tree that symbolizes the three shamanic worlds of self-realization

Self-Realization is not so much of a flashy lights-and-glamor moment as it is a slow and steady process of spiritual unfoldment. This process occurs within the three realms of existence:

  1. The Middle World
  2. The Lower World
  3. The Upper World

Using shamanic terminology, the middle world is the realm where we live everyday life. This is the realm where we go about our daily existence with family, friends, and work colleagues.ย 

The lower world is the downwards and inwards realm where everything hiding beneath the surface dwells. This is the realm of thoughts, feelings, instincts, dreams, unconscious wounds, and at a core level, the Soul.

The upper world is the upwards and outwards realm where we transcend the body, mind, and Soul, and enter the immaterial, eternal Spirit that permeates all layers of existence.

Each Realm Has a Purpose

Within each realm there is a task for us to fulfill:

  • In the middle world, the task is ego growth
  • In the lower world, the task is Soul embodiment
  • In the upper world, the task is Spirit realization (also known as Self-Realization)

As depth psychologist Bill Plotkin writes,

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Ego growth, soul embodiment, and spirit realization are equally vital to growing whole. Although all three components can be engaged concurrently, there is a natural sequence to their unfolding: ego growth is the foundation upon which soul embodiment rests, and the latter, I believe, most effectively galvanizes spirit realization.

Here we see that all three realms build on top of (and support) one another โ€“ the ultimate goal being Self-Realization.

The Difference Between self-Realization and Self-Realization

So here we see there are actually two types of Self-Realization.

The West promotes the realization of the selfโ€™s (egoโ€™s) fullest potential. This process occurs within the middle and lower world realm. Some Western schools of psychology, such as those that adhere to Carl Jungโ€™s philosophies, also promote Soul realization (also known as the individuation process).

And the East promotes the realization of the Self โ€“ that is, liberation from the small fabricated self (ego), and the embodiment of oneโ€™s Higher Self or True Nature. This is an upper world path, a path that transcends the personal ego and Soul, and unites us with the Absolute, Unchanging, and Eternal Spirit. This is the path of enlightenment.ย 

Most Western and Eastern schools of thought ignore or deny the importance of all three paths working together in unison. But they are all essential paths to embrace so that we can experience true Self-Realization, just as a tree needs roots, a trunk, and branches to be whole.

The 9 Stages of Spiritual Self-Realization

Image of a sun over the ocean symbolic of self-realization

And should you choose to devote yourself to the ongoing journey of self-realization, you will develop a tremendous sense of respect for who you really are. It is only then that you will come to appreciate the full depth of meaning in the advice: โ€œThis above all: to thine own self be true.โ€

โ€“ Michael A. Singer

As I mentioned previously, Self-Realization is not so much one great big moment as it is a gradual process of spiritual unfoldment.ย 

(However, it must be noted here that for some people, Self-Realization does come as one big moment. But for the vast majority of us, itโ€™s a slow and steady process.)

Below youโ€™ll find the nine stages of spiritual Self-Realization: from the beginning of the journey, all the way to the end.

Please note that Self-Realization is not necessarily (and often isnโ€™t) a linear process. We often experience a spiral of blossoming and transformation, and itโ€™s common to move forward and backward along this nine-stage journey.

Here are the nine stages of spiritual Self-Realization:

1. Self-Awareness

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

At the beginning of the journey is the dawning of self-awareness. This new awareness may dawn occur sporadically as a result of temporary moments of introspection or, alternatively, this awareness may suddenly erupt into our lives in the form of an unexpected spiritual awakening.

What is self-awareness? Self-awareness is when we become aware of ourselves (from an ego-based standpoint) and how we interact with the world.

Those who are self-aware move away from their previous psychological ignorance (also commonly referred to as โ€œbeing asleepโ€) and into greater self-consciousness.

This gaining of sudden self-awareness can be a painful and humbling period as it tends to illuminate many of our harmful thoughts, habits, choices, and ways of relating to the world. And typically, we donโ€™t like what we see. Thus, we either numb ourselves out of denial or enter the path of self-growth (also known as the spiritual path).ย 

2. Self-Exploration

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

After the shock of awakening to more self-awareness, weโ€™re driven by the desire to explore ourselves more โ€“ this is the journey of self-exploration in a nutshell.


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Self-exploration is fuelled by a mixture of curiosity (โ€œWho am I really?โ€) and dissatisfaction (โ€œI canโ€™t believe I did/said/believed that!โ€). We want to find out more about personalities and understand our authentic place in life.

Self-exploration often occurs in the middle world (the realm of everyday life) and the purpose of it is to uncover how we think, feel, and behave. To get answers, we seek to gain knowledge and understanding of ourselves through books, workshops, films, courses, therapists, teachers, personality tests, and other psychological and spiritual practices.

3. Self-Discovery

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

Once we start dabbling in the world of self-exploration, we eventually experience self-discovery, which is what happens when we dig underneath the surface of our egos.

Self-discovery occurs when we move from the โ€œwhat?โ€ to the โ€œWHY?โ€ While the previous stage (self-exploration) deals with what we like/feel/do/think, self-discovery deals with why we like/feel/do/think everything that emerges inside of us.

In this stage, itโ€™s common to begin various forms of inner work that get to the root of our core selves.

4. Self-Understanding

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

Self-understanding is a crystallization of the previous three stages: itโ€™s a deep understanding of the dynamics and workings of our ego selves.

People who have reached this stage have a thorough and multi-layered understanding of the origins and reasons why they think, feel, and behave the way they do. Not only have they explored their conscious ego, but theyโ€™ve also explored their unconscious mind to meet their shadow selves and other buried core wounds.

Self-Understanding is a lower world path that goes downwards and inwards, touching and revealing the very nature of our Souls.

5. Self-Love

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

Next is self-love: the stage where we are filled with compassion for ourselves and all that weโ€™ve been through.

As a lower world path, self-love is what happens when we tap into the fundamental nature of our heart and soul: love.

When we love ourselves, we’re fuelled by a deep understanding of ourselves. In fact, without the previous stage (self-understanding) itโ€™s almost impossible to practice self-love because we donโ€™t know what or why we do, think, and feel what we do.ย 

Learning how to love ourselves means that we stop punishing ourselves, start nurturing our inner child, and begin experiencing greater self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-forgiveness.

6. Self-Transformation

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

In this stage, we begin to shed our old and limiting habits, perceptions, and compulsions that were created by the false self (ego) and begin to experience transformation.

When we experience self-transformation, we enter a death and rebirth process that can feel uncomfortable and destabilizing at first. But ultimately, any change we undergo is liberating. In other words, we become more Soul-centered instead of ego-centered, and weโ€™re more comfortable in our skin.

Thanks to the previous five stages, we’re able to make space for new growth to occur. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, we feel more expanded, free, and grounded.

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7. Self-Mastery

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

As a culmination of stages 1-6, this stage is about reaping the rewards of a stable and well-adjusted ego. Psychologist Carl Jung referred to this stage as individuation, that is, becoming a whole human being who is connected and aligned with the Soul.ย 

Self-mastery is self-explanatory โ€“ it means mastering the false self (or ego) โ€“ but not with a tyrannical or domineering stance. Instead, mastering the false self is done with love and understanding.ย 

Instead of being slaves to our egos, we live from the heart and Soul, and our egos are in service to the Soul.ย 

When we experience self-mastery, our inner and outer worlds are balanced (i.e., we are spiritually integrated), and we become the Kings or Queens of our own middle worlds (everyday life) and lower worlds (inner life). We are self-contained, calm, perceptive, wise, compassionate, and lighthearted.

8. Self-Transcendence

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

Next is self-transcendence which is where we start entering the world of Spirit (or the upper world).ย 

When we walk the path of self-transcendence, we are seeking to move beyond our limited egos and attachment to our Souls, and rest in the deep spiritual Oneness at the center of who we really are.

The desire to self-transcend may come naturally throughout time (as a result of diligently walking the spiritual path), through a sudden mystical experience, profound transpersonal insight, or a deep inner calling to taste ultimate freedom.

Common self-transcendence paths and practices out there include meditation, yogic disciplines, mystical and higher consciousness traditions (Sufism, Gnosticism, Taoism, Buddhism, etc.), self-inquiry, non-dual teachings, contemplation, and so forth.ย 

9. Self-Realization

Image of the sun that represents self-realization

At last, we come to Self-Realization which is ultimately a gift of grace from Life, Spirit, or the Divine.

While we cannot “achieve” Self-Realization in the linear ego-based sense, we can prepare the soil of our inner garden, so to speak, to receive such a sacred gift.

So how does Self-Realization occur?

Self-Realization occurs when we stop identifying with the limited ego, deepen into a Soul-centered presence, and recognize ourselves as one and the same as the Divine on a visceral level.

Moving past a sense of โ€œme,โ€ โ€œmine,โ€ and โ€œI am …โ€ (aka., the inner stories fabricated by our illusory selves) we come to embody what is referred to as Christ Consciousness, Enlightenment, Buddhahood, Non-Dual Awareness, and Oneness.ย 

Other names for this energetic expansion and shift in awareness are is Nirvana, Heaven, Moksha, Unio Mystica, Samadhi, Cosmic Consciousness, and so on.ย However, while this inner shift has been given many wildly exciting names, it has also been described as delightfully ordinary and unfathomably simple by those claiming to have tasted it.

Ultimately, to experience Self-Realization is to see through the insubstantiality and impermanence of the ego, the dreamlike nature of thought, and the illusion of attachment to all phenomena, and into the vast, spacious, and eternal presence that exists everywhere.ย 

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In this stage, we are free from separation and find our true Home again. What remains is a pure radiance of being, a sacred union with Life, and an ever-deepening blossoming of love, connection, inner peace, and openness to existence.ย 

How to Experience a Taste of Self-Realization

Image of a woman experiencing enlightened self-realization

Self-Realization is a journey that could take you a few years, decades, an entire lifetime, or longer. But it is a sacred path that is worth every bit of your time, effort, sincerity, and focus. Ultimately, it is the path of enlightenment, the path of freedom, and the path of love. What could be more meaningful than that?

Now that we’ve explored what Self-Realization is and its nine stages, how can we taste โ€“ even just briefly โ€“ this experience? (I’m sure you’re curious!)

Here are some methods and practices that can help you to dip into this life-changing experience (although nothing is ever guaranteed):

  • Long stretches of meditation (45 minutes or more per day) โ€“ Keep in mind that it’s important to work up to the goal of longer meditations, especially if you’re a beginner. Find a style of meditation that feels comfortable and beneficial to you and stick with it for at least a month.
  • Plant medicine journeying (with ayahuasca, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, etc.) โ€“ If you have a mental illness, I recommend talking to a therapist beforehand or trying another one of these suggestions (as plant medicine can sometimes negatively exacerbate symptoms). Otherwise, plant medicine is an amazing path that I highly recommend approaching with a clear conscious intention and tons of respect.
  • Entering altered states of consciousness (such as through a trance state, lucid dreaming, breathwork, and self-hypnosis) โ€“ Remember to be gentle with yourself and go slowly when entering altered states (this can help to prevent overwhelm).
  • Nature immersion โ€“ Try spending long periods in nature (1+ hours), particularly in wild and untamed areas that aren’t visited by people. Nature has a magical way of opening the heart and mind to new horizons!

If you can recommend any other practices, please share them below!

***

In the words of great Indian sage Ramana Maharshi:

Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.

Perhaps one of the most important things to understand about this topic is that the journey of Self-Realization is not linear. We don’t simply move from point A (Self-Awareness) to point Z (Self-Realization). There is no straight line here. This journey is certainly not logical or simple.

Instead, see Self-Realization as a spiral or a circle. This is a process of unfolding that ebbs and flows, waxes and wanes, opens and closes like the sun, moon, ocean, clouds, and flowers.

In one period of life, we might return back to the basics of learning about ourselves and developing more ego awareness (even after years of doing that kind of work and thinking we’re “done” with that!).

In other parts of life, we might be called to follow a more transcendental path. And then again, we might be called to return to “beginner’s mind” once again.

No part of the journey is better than the other or more needed than the other: each stage is interdependent and divinely entwined.

However, by listening to the various wisdom traditions in the world that contain Self-Realization at their core and by putting our spiritual journeys into context (rather than getting lost in the rabbit holes of spiritual materialism), we can understand the deeper purpose of our lives and inner paths.

May your journey of Self-Realization be deep, expansive, and liberating.

Tell me, what stage do you think you’re in on the journey toward Self-Realization? Iโ€™d love to hear about your experiences.

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About Aletheia Luna

Aletheia Luna is a prolific psychospiritual writer, author, educator, and intuitive guide whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. She is the author of hundreds of popular articles, as well as numerous books and journals on the topics of Self-Love, Spiritual Awakening, and more. [Read More]

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  1. Michael says

    December 28, 2021 at 8:14 am

    I love your articles!!
    I am 59 years old.
    I have meditated for most of my life and have lead a very calm peaceful life.
    Only recently have I discovered that I am God and will continue to realize the truth of my reality and I am so excited that realizing is all I want to do!!!
    I have been listening to higher consciousness embodiment tapes lately and it is going wellโ€ฆ
    The veil is thinning and I am ready to break through!!
    Is there anything else I could do??
    Excited and ready for whatever is next!!!
    Thank you for your beautiful articles!!

    Reply
    • Mateo Sol says

      December 28, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you Michael. One of the biggest obstacles in self-realization is the attachment to the “I am God” aspect. The divine arises through our experience, but the moment we make it a label of identification, of “I am”, we’ve created a new identity that blocks us from the divine.

      I am, God is, somewhere in the overlap of those two, in the experiential process itself, lies what mystics point at in their awakening words.

      Reply
  2. leon says

    November 12, 2021 at 1:53 pm

    This is an amazing explanation really insightfull! I feel like I am at stage 4 5 and 6, but as you said it’s not linear and you may move back and forth perhaps filling in more pieces of the puzzle as you go, thankyou so much this is brilliant!

    Reply
  3. John Robbins says

    August 15, 2021 at 7:36 pm

    I have been searching for the ultimate state of being for as long as I can remember and my motivation has always been based from the fear energy of wanting to secure survival.
    This year…. after many years of searching….I have become aware of the above truths about myself and have stopped searching. I am now on the journey of consciously learning self realization. Thatโ€™s how I found your website. The information on your site is in clear harmony with my journey.
    Thank you. This is a great find for me. Iโ€™m going to return to it until I have exhausted all of the content of all of the links that point to more teachings. Iโ€™m sure that process is going to take a few mornings and quiet some time.

    Reply
  4. Barbara says

    July 14, 2021 at 6:47 pm

    Hello, great article! Iโ€™m wondering if the notion of self-realization in the Western sense could better be denoted by the term โ€œself-actualisationโ€. I have been participating in various online workshops lately which are helping people to develop the idea of oneโ€™s place in the world but Iโ€™m realizing more and more that my true path is a more spiritual one toward developing my inner world.

    Thank you and blessings!

    Barbara

    Reply
    • Mateo Sol says

      July 15, 2021 at 8:21 am

      Thanks Barbara for raising the question. I’ve thought about this as well in the past but I feel ‘self-actualization’ is much more grounded in the psychological aspect of things (very much based on the work of transpersonal psychology Maslow.) With Self-Actualization, at least from my understanding, it seems to be much more focused on the spiritual shift, the internal opening to that which is greater than us (contrasted to the actualization of the self which is more about fulfilling the greatest potential we each carry inside.)

      I hope this distinction helps.

      Reply
  5. SB says

    June 26, 2021 at 12:25 am

    Hi Sol & Luna
    On the Summer solstice I had a profound experience and feel that I have just arrived at stage 9. I have used all the methods you have mentioned above, meditating, being in nature and utilising plant medicines and of course it has been a long journey of looking at the shit in my ‘rucksack’ and seeing the many many ego layers. I know I still have some polishing to do, but for now, I am going to take a break and enjoy this feeling of liberation. I have dipped into your website many times over the last 5 years, your work has been a great support on my journey.
    I just want to say a big thank you for all the information on your site. This article for sure gave me confirmation of where I am at and that I am not going completely nuts. Keep up the amazing work guys, donation coming your way.

    Reply
    • Mateo Sol says

      June 26, 2021 at 1:48 pm

      Hey SB,

      I’m grateful to hear our work has provided you some clarity along the way, this journey can be most disorienting especially when we go at it alone. I do think ‘taking a break’ is often wise, I’ve experienced a few existential dread burnouts from ‘flying too close to the sun’, and have learned the necessity of grounding myself in the heart more than the head. The mind gives us infinite new ways of showing us how we can grow here and try that, but it’s a never-ending treadmill.

      Ultimately how we connect from the heart with ourselves and others is the most important quality in the spiritual path, always orient towards that. And thank you, we appreciate any support that makes the freedom of information on this site possible.

      Reply
      • Stella Bale says

        July 01, 2021 at 4:14 am

        Hi, thank you for your reply, its good to hear you agree with taking a break. The Ebb and Flow of moving within the stages resonates with me, just as we can have moments of nirvana in meditation, I feel we can experience self realisation whilst in the middle world for days or longer and then find ourselves feeling that perhaps it was all just a dream.

        Reply
  6. Kim says

    May 12, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    I just decided to retire at the age of 70. It is late, rather then never.
    I am a Buddhist. Recently wonder WHAT and WHY about myself and the outside world.
    Recently realized ” I” actually only a body and mind process, mind works.
    By Google, searching for Self realization, I came to your advice.
    This mind would like to go through the nine stages of spiritual self realization, guided by you.

    Reply
  7. CHRISTINA ILCZYSZYN says

    April 28, 2021 at 12:59 am

    I have been experiencing the re-awakening journey over the past year… After coming across your website and reading several of your articles… I have embarked upon the self-transcendence, with intermittent moments of self-realization… I am fortunate for the progress I have made since having kundalini awakening 4 weeks ago… My life has never made more sense than it does now…

    Thank you Universe for your abundance, I am forever grateful!
    ใ€ฐ๏ธใ€ฐ๏ธ

    Reply
  8. Zoe says

    March 19, 2021 at 9:44 am

    My background sounds very familiar to my own. It is difficult for me to tell whatโ€™s I am in the path. But I do have this constant back and forth of โ€œOh I get it. It makes perfect senseโ€ to โ€œah I lost it. I donโ€™t get it.โ€ Itโ€™s exhausting really. Literally one day got it, next day lost. Also seems like life is really having a throw with me. Divorce is looming, trouble with kids, constant friction from others. I feel like a metamorphosis is coming. Felt that for a while now. As far as if Iโ€™ve done enough shadow work, been aware enough to pin down all my unconscious beliefs and thoughts that arnt true and holding me back from self realization and on too Self Realization, I feel like I havenโ€™t…. so I guess Iโ€™m going to stand in my own way until I feel Iโ€™ve suffered enough โ€โ™‚๏ธ. I really thought I had until I wrote this here… more digging required I suppose. I have had 2 tool assisted mystical experiences that were so beautiful I couldnโ€™t explain it with language but they were assisted and my ego kicked back in slowly but steadily. Iโ€™m already grateful for when I get to know our oneness after the work is done. I donโ€™t mean to put my realization out into some projected future but itโ€™s not here at THIS NOW but maybe the next one?

    Reply
    • Mateo Sol says

      March 19, 2021 at 10:26 am

      Thanks Zoe, life definitely has a way of making us experience the rollercoaster of it all, especially once we start becoming more aware of our ups and downs, our ‘presence’ moments and not so present (though even catching yourself not being present is really true presence, but our ego’s like to spit out the ‘you failed again’ story.)

      There’s an interesting Koan like exercise that one can ask. If life is a series of present moments unfolding, is there really a ‘next’ one?

      Warm hugs

      Reply
  9. Nick says

    February 27, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    My journey feels like a spiral. I feel like I have been through all the stages many times. I reach what I think is 9, then realise there is another layer of self to discover! I feel quite high on the spiral now, but finding your website has triggered a vision of another layer where I will start again.
    I hope this makes sense. Hopefully will get to the bottom of things eventually and be at peace with myself.

    Reply
  10. Countess Donna Valois. says

    December 23, 2020 at 12:51 pm

    Stage 9, I been aware since I was 7yrs old. It comes naturally. So grateful to read this article. Nature emmersed and lucid dreams. Mentoring people has been my journey.

    Reply
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  • Resisting The Path
  • Finding Guidance
  • Starting The Journey
  • Turning Inwards
  • Facing The Darkness
  • Illumination
  • Traps & Pitfalls
  • Rebirth
  • Integration

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Walk the path less traveled

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Welcome! Our names are Aletheia Luna & Mateo Sol and weโ€™re spiritual educators currently living in Perth, Western Australia. What's this website about? For spiritual rebels and outsiders, our mission is to help you dissolve the shadows that obscure your inner Light and find peace, love, and happiness. Unlike other spiritual spaces, lonerwolf focuses on approaching the spiritual awakening journey in a discerning and down-to-earth-way. Start here ยป

 

Let The Universe Choose My Message!

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