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.
Table of contents
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.
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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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Hello, it’s my first time i write a comment and i just want to say thank you for being a part in my spiritual awakening, i’m on my spiritual transfotmation and it is so beautiful, i use to think that i’m gonna be stuck in my depressed mode and isolating myself from everyone, but now i feel connected with myself with others, i can communicate my feeling with someone or on my journal… Thank you for all the work you did it really helped me on my journey. So much love beautiful soul.❤❤
Hi firstly thank you for everything,you two are awesome kind people, I started karate 10year ago so I suppose thats when I started to notice that not everything is as it seems, about 5 year ago was when I saw let’s say the big bang ,since I done nothing but struggle with what is , your emails help massively so once again thank you both xx
I’ve found this to be a complimentary witness to “Empowered by Trauma” by PA James. We must all make self-acknowledgement of endured pains. In so doing–recognise our part through self-confession analysis and evaluation; Giving each one the ability to grow as an overcomer.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Now I think that I can readily answer my question. I came across the answer by chance as I was reading your wonderful book: Twin Flames & Soul Mates, which I purchased today (I saw it among the suggested books in the email and felt instantly drawn to it). I started the reading from the appendices, for I was so thrilled to take the tests first, and then I went to the Q&A appendix and found this amazing answer right away! I’ve just started the book (from the beginning this time) now and I already love it!
I love it how you conclude this inspirational article: “spiritual transformation is not really something we can control: it is a gift from Life”. In fact, this has always been a mysterious query of mine: why this happens to some people and not to others. Is there anything I can do to encourage my beloved ones into the spiritual awakening/transformation path (without being too intrusive of course)?
Your words today meant a great deal to me as I jump back on the wagon of Spiritual Awakening. I tend to get caught up in the events of the world, and sometimes the web isn’t as easy to de-tangle. I think my goal observed today is to take your articles and reflect daily in my own journaled experiences, for personal growth. An exercise in discipline. Merely writing it down, I feel, will help me make that commitment as I am on Day 19 of retirement. Thank you for your words. Thank you for your outreach.
Yes the old ways are no longer viable. I can no longer delve back wards into the confused inner child inside me, nor accept the paths, and methods I used stop the hurt, pain and suffering. As I have made resolution to hold and love the inner child, yet graciously move onward into being more adult both on inner and outer ways. By using hypnotic self healing tapes, I have re conditioned my hard drive (subconscious) to stop so much anxiety, pre conditioned fears, bad habits such as critical blame placed upon other people for my mistakes. Also to not hate and seek revenge either in mind, or action, nor re gurgitation of hurt from those who do not understand or not accept me as a likeable person. So the Key here is acceptance of some limitations while aiming to resolve them ASAP. So yes Spiritual Transformation is both hard yakka (hard work) to discover, to heal or resolve past issues, but also at the same time have acceptance of who you are, and who you possibly can be both now and into the New Age. It’s nice to know that I can use the inner gear stick, to change… Read more »
I have spent most of my life taking care of children and because of the actions of 1 child my life is in complete destruction. I went very dark for a while, but managed to find the strength to fight back against evil. I now have 1 child out the 6 children I once had. I no longer see them or my grandchildren. It’s a very hard transformation. Everyday I pray to find the strength to to move on. This is the worst time in my life.
2 months ago, I thought I met my kindred spirit. A man that is the guy version of me, lol. Opon meting him, I immediately felt this uncontrollably desire to better myself. I was 25 lbs overweight, I had stopped moving at home, just did the things that needed done and sat and watched tv or played games on the tablet. I had weird pains and aches, and all my joints and bones seem to hurt, I really just figured I was slowly dieing, but didn’t really care. In the past 2 months, I’ve lost 12 lbs, I took all surgery drinks out of my diet, I eat healthier, and exercise 5-6 times a day, plus work of course=) My friend mentioned above says he is inspired by my journey and started improving himself as well. We are like besties that have always known each other, we always say the right thing that the other needs to hear, it really quite remarkable the simplicity our relationship is. I have never had so much drive to self improve like this before. One month ago the Secretary of State called me and offer me a job at the DMV (I had done… Read more »
I have noticed that as of late, I have been much more forthright in speaking my truth in situations where I see that someone is not in alignment with me or my values or how I expect to be treated. Thus far and as result, I have cut ties with 2 of those with whom I was a client/customer. In times past, I would deeply analyze the behavior of others and ask “why?” but now I can quickly acknowledge that we are not a fit and simply move on; trusting that I no longer need a reason to honor myself. I have also been a bit more relaxed in my skin, no longer seeking or stressing external validation. Because of this I have found that others/strangers have either reacted rather kind to me with smiles and compliments and that if not, I am not as easily bothered by their energy or assumed opinions of me. I decided to no longer stalk my social media pages to complain or stress over a loss of followers or likes. I deleted all 100+ of my pics and decided to present a more authentic version of myself but more focused on my art/music/fashion endeavors… Read more »