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A Mindful Guide To Spirituality For Beginners + 15 Steps For Beginning A Spiritual Journey

Maybe you’re looking to understand your purpose in this life, or you’re experiencing an existential crisis . 

Or perhaps you’re starting to examine the belief system you grew up with. Whichever the case, you’re contemplating a spiritual journey .

But where and how should you start?

To help you figure it out, we’ve created this beginner’s guide to spirituality.  

Below, we’ll unpack definitions, look at different spirituality types , review the process, and briefly discuss the available practice paths.

What Is Spirituality?

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What are the basics of spirituality ? In some ways, it’s an impossible question to answer because spirituality means different things to different people. 

For some, it’s a religious pursuit. For others, it’s an individual exploration of spirituality.

The director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, Christina Puchalski, MD, contends that “spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.”

Generally speaking, most forms of spirituality:

• Invite practitioners to connect with a higher power or source
• Encourage a transcendental end-goal through belief or energetic experiences
• Involve the search for greater meaning or feeling
• Feature a relationship between the practitioner and a divine force

What Are The 3 Elements of Spirituality? 

Back in the day, the three pillars of spirituality were truth, goodness, and religiosity. People’s definitions, narratives, and rituals differed, but nearly everyone saw spirituality as a religious undertaking.

But things are different these days. Sociologically speaking, spirituality is no longer tethered to a theological framework. And while religion colors many people’s spiritual pursuits, growing numbers are severing that tie.

As contradictory as it may sound, it’s not uncommon to meet deeply spiritual atheists — which begs the question: What are the three new elements of spirituality in an increasingly secular world? We’d argue they’re connection, love, and faith.

Most people pursuing spiritual journeys want to feel deeper connections with themselves, others, and the Universe. For some, the bond is cosmic and otherworldly; for others, it’s about communing with nature, neighbors, and the galaxy’s physical realities.

It’s been said that love makes the world go round, and we’d agree. When people love instead of hate, offer grace instead of judgment, and collaborate instead of competing, everything — (and by extension everyone) — is better.  

Faith has myriad definitions and is expressed in disparate ways. For some, it’s a religious undertaking. For others, faith is linked to personal development and fostering humble confidence. 

Have you been wondering how to start a spiritual journey?

One of the most important things to understand is that going through one can take physical and emotional effort since most of us cruise through life on autopilot.

The energetic shift required to change spiritual gears can be more intense than people imagine.

But it’s well worth the endeavor. Navigating a spiritual journey can help us become comfortable with ourselves and live more meaningful, joyful, fulfilling lives.

With courage, forgiveness, and honesty, we can examine our true natures and develop greater capacities for love and compassion.

People who successfully go through a spiritual transformation tend to be more content, calmer, and self-confident.

What Are the Types of Spirituality?

There are several types of spirituality. Some folks pursue all of them; others pick one or two to master.

The choice is yours and may depend on a “soul contract” you signed before diving into this life.

Mystical spirituality focuses on cosmic and intuitive aspects of existence. People who subscribe to these types of esoteric belief systems have faith in a force more powerful than what we can see and touch.

They also believe in a universal unity that transcends the physical world.

Practitioners of mystical spirituality may say things like “everything happens for a reason” and “there’s a cosmic explanation behind everything.”

Authoritarian spirituality involves devotion to a hierarchical structure in the heavens and Earth. Fundamentalist commitment to a religion or belief system is the most common type of Authoritarian spirituality.

Sometimes, this type of journey can safely allow individuals to immerse themselves in their chosen faith, like monks living in ashrams and temples. Unfortunately, it can take a more violent, destructive turn, as is the case with some sects of fundamentalist cults and religious movements.

People who travel down the authoritarian spiritual path may believe that their belief system is the only right way.

Intellectual spirituality is rooted in the notion that knowledge is power.

People who choose this path enjoy reading about and discussing theories. They find their way to the unknown through learning.

All spiritual disciplines have an intellectual sect or path to enlightenment, and many people drawn to intellectual spirituality combine it with service, devotion, or mystical ritualism.

Service spirituality involves attending to others’ needs. Mastery of the craft comes when an individual genuinely helps others without expecting anything, not even a “thank you.”

It can be a tricky path because many folks don’t recognize that they serve performatively. They feast on the praise showered on them for being “good people.” However, healing through service can only happen in a pure state of generosity without a need or thought of recognition or reward.

Some people are introverted, and others are extroverted. Folks who fall under the former umbrella may appreciate individualized spiritual journeys, whereas those in the latter may seek out socially spiritual events — like group retreats.

If you pick this path, think long and hard about your relationship with dependency. Are you choosing to seek communal salvation because of fear or a genuine desire to live selflessly among others?

Common Mistakes on The Spiritual Journey for Beginners 

Ethereal journeys can be exciting and fulfilling — but nobody ever said they’re easy, especially in the beginning. Finding one’s spiritual sea legs can be a bumpy ride! 

With that in mind, let’s unpack a handful of mistakes many people make at the start of their spiritual awakening.

Have you ever tried spirituality for a week (or ten) and gave up when miracles didn’t immediately rain down in your lap? Please don’t feel bad; you’re not alone; it always happens. In fact, it’s more common than successfully establishing a mindfulness or spirituality routine.

Remember that devotional work — (both religious and secular) — isn’t a magic bolt that instantaneously ushers “the dream” into your conscious realm. Heck, monks practicing for decades have yet to experience bliss, much less enlightenment.

In other words, it takes time. Lots and lots…and lots of time. So cultivating patience early in your journey is wise.

The benefits of mindfulness (spirituality’s backbone) can sometimes lead to judgment. Bluntly stated, “baby spiritualists” can be “all ego and no insight.”

Many also approach the journey myopically and think: Well, if X worked for me, it can work for anyone. Then, when people fall short of expectations, newly minted “gurus” attribute their failure to some moral failing rooted in laziness and victimhood. 

But each life carves a distinctive path in the sands of time and space, and what’s good for the goose isn’t necessarily suitable or feasible for the gander.

It’s also a bad idea to cut people out of your life because they aren’t on the same exact track as you. Like stars, lives have singular trajectories — and judging another’s is rarely an excellent karmic idea. 

Bottom line: When it comes to spirituality, worry about yourself — and only yourself.

Spiritual newbies love to search for answers outside of themselves. Sure, the Universe throws people proverbial bones in the form of “signs” every so often, but the work of spirituality is internal. 

Forming a conscious bond with the world around you is about learning to recognize your divine spark.   

As discussed, novices frequently search for external answers. They also crave external validation, which defeats the purpose of a soulful journey. 

Ultimately, it’s best to avoid spiritual competition at all costs. Your quest for meaning, connection, and purpose should never be a status contest.

Another common mistake is conflating personal and professional goal-setting with spirituality. Goal-setting is about what you want your life to look like, materially and professionally. Spirituality is about how you want to feel, see, and experience the world. 

Please don’t read us wrong. Goal-setting and spirituality can work in tandem, but they’re different. The former requires external effort and feedback; the latter is an internal process.

Embarking on a spiritual journey for beginners can be disorienting at the start.

Think of it as if you’re a 16th-century explorer. When you leave port, you’re anxious, detached from what you know, nervous, and unsure of what awaits you. 

You’re out to sea for a long time. Then, one day, you discover a new land; you’re elated and rewarded handsomely. In most ways, a spiritual journey follows that same arc.

A spiritual journey has many potential benefits, including:

• Experiencing a cosmic-level of love and respect for all living people, animals, and plants, instead of only feeling connected with folks and things with which you’re most familiar and comfortable
• Moving through experiences with faith, optimism, and joy
• Being aware of life’s divine nature
• Getting to know and love yourself unconditionally, even when you mess up
• Being able to see magic in the ordinary
• Being aware of the divine grace that helps fuel your life
• Coping better with stress, anxiety, and depression
• Restoring a sense of hope and optimism about life

Spirituality for Beginners: 15 Steps for Starting Your Spiritual Journey

Some peoples’ spiritual paths are clear from an early age. The rest of us usually need to put in a little effort to find the road that most resonates with our eternal beings. In some ways, it’s a trial and error process.

However, there are things you can do to prepare and make the journey easier.

The Universe is, at its most basic level, a web of interconnected energy. Living and working in clean, uncluttered places attract healthy, positive vibes and wavelengths to your space and aura.

It’s beneficial to know where you’ve been to figure out where you’re going,

When embarking on a spiritual journey, take stock of the belief system you grew up with or currently subscribe to. Does it serve you? Is it comfortable? Do you practice it because that’s all you’ve ever known, or does it genuinely resonate with you?

A significant part of spiritual journeys is getting to know yourself. Getting it right takes self-compassion , honesty, and self-forgiveness — which isn’t always easy.

As such, you must care for yourself, and developing a self-care routine is wise during this period of your life. Moreover, we can control habits, which adds a bit of stress-lessening stability to a sometimes rocky time.

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Before you pick a path, read up on the possibilities. Think about your motivations and what you want to get out of the experience.

Don’t forget to consider the logistics of your life. Try not to pick something that doesn’t fit into your lifestyle. Sure, it’s fine to make some changes — like adding meditation and journaling.

But if you have a nine-to-five job, it’s not practical to pick a path that requires you to live in an ashram for 24 months straight.

You get to captain your spiritual journey and decide who gets to know. If it’s something you want to share with the world, post about it on social media. Start a blog about your journey.

And if you want it to be a personal experience between you and the higher forces, keep it 100% to yourself.

Nature plays a big role in spiritual journeys. After all, it’s the Earthly manifestation of otherworldly forces. Connecting with nature is akin to bonding with universal energy, and it helps during a spiritual transformation.

Spiritual journeys aren’t smooth sailing at all times. The waters can get rough, and you must learn to be kind to yourself to get through it.

Instead of listening to the negative voice in your head, give attention to the positive one. Learn to forgive yourself; understand that everyone messes up, including you — and that’s OK.

Once you’ve adjusted your mental facilities, done some research, and prepped your space for the journey, it’s time to pick a path you want to try.

Don’t worry about not picking right the first time. It happens to loads of people. Remember that this is a time of exploration and discovery, so feel free to try on different things till you find something that fits your soul.

Skepticism is bound to drop by for a visit during your spiritual journey. Do your best to keep an open mind. Some things you try may feel silly and improbable. But give it a shot anyway. Hey, you never know.

Giving everything a chance is another important aspect of a spiritual journey. You probably won’t get much out of the experience if you go through the motions half-heartedly.

So allow yourself to believe in magic and mysticism for a bit. Who knows, maybe there is a scientific explanation for why certain “spiritual” things work, and we just don’t understand it from a practical standpoint yet.

The spiritual market is filled with many aspiring cult leaders, grifters, and various types of scam artists. They prey on peoples’ vulnerabilities, and they’re usually skilled at leaching money from marks. So be careful about the orbits you inhabit.

Having a record of your journey is educational and fun. Think how satisfying it will be to go back a year or two from now and read how far you’ve come.

Rituals are a fun way to enhance the spiritual journey. Plus, they put you in the right frame. If you use candles, however, make sure to be safe.

One of the biggest hurdles some people face on their path to higher consciousness is that they refuse to believe.

But it’s a catch-22 because to perceive extra-sensory forces, you must believe in them. So try to put doubts aside and give yourself to the unknown for the time being.

Journeys can take decades. Heck, some people argue that one’s spiritual journey is never over as there’s always more to experience and learn.

Keeping up a reading and learning habit is the best way to keep your spiritual receptors tuned and receptive.

What Are The 5 Spiritual Paths?

Many paths can teach you how to learn about spirituality. Some people stick to one; others try on several.

The knowledge path is suited for people who gain depth and insight through wisdom and gathering knowledge.

Analytical meditation, contemplation, studying, and journaling are important tools for people on this path. They frequently delve into questions about self-knowledge and the greater good.

The path of devotion is all about surrendering to something greater than yourself. The ultimate goal is to liberate the soul from its ego. Praying, chanting, and using mantras are common.

Meditation is a spiritual path in and of itself. People who go this route usually are interested in connecting with a higher power. They also value stillness and calmness.

Active selflessness defines the path of service. But it can be a tricky road, as practitioners mustn’t focus on their efforts but instead on the needs of others. People who serve for the wrong reasons can find themselves in miserable places.

The energetic path is probably the least discussed and one of the most powerful. It combines several disciplines, including meditation and knowledge. People who go down the energy path typically use rituals.

We hope you found our guide to spirituality helpful. Whatever path you choose, and no matter how long it takes, your spiritual journey will help you have a deeper understanding of yourself and the meaning of your life. 

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Exploring Spirituality: A Guide to Understanding and Practice

Welcome to Humanity's Team's exploration of spirituality. In this detailed guide, we'll delve into the most commonly asked questions about spirituality, offering insights and guidance for your own spiritual journey.

What is Spirituality?

Spirituality is a concept that transcends a single definition, encapsulating a myriad of personal beliefs and experiences. At its core, spirituality involves a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves, often leading to a quest for meaning in life. Unlike religion, which is often structured and doctrine-based, spirituality focuses more on individual belief and personal experience. It can include belief in a higher power, a sense of interconnectedness, a quest for self-discovery, and a lasting and beautiful search for answers to life's big questions.

How do we become more Spiritual?

Embarking on a spiritual journey is a deeply personal process. Central to this journey is the cultivation of inner awareness and mindfulness. This can be achieved through various practices including meditation, yoga, spending time in nature, or engaging in art and music. Helping to still the mind, these activities allow for introspection and a deeper connection with one's inner self. The key is to find the practices that most resonate with your soul and to incorporate them into your daily life.

What are the benefits of Spirituality?

Engaging in spiritual practices can lead to numerous benefits in both the mind and body. Studies have shown that spirituality can contribute to better mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can foster a sense of peace and well-being, enhance our resilience against stress, and improve overall quality of life. On a physical level, certain practices such as meditation can lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, and enhance sleep quality.

Can Spirituality and Science coexist?

The relationship between spirituality and science is a fascinating area of exploration. While they may seem contradictory, many find that the two complement one another. Science offers a way to understand the physical world, while spirituality provides a framework for understanding the non-material aspects of existence. By integrating both, one can find a more holistic understanding of life and existence.

What is the difference between Spirituality and Religion?

Spirituality and religion, while related concepts, have distinct differences. Religion typically involves specific beliefs, rituals, and practices often centered around a deity or deities and is organized in a structured community. Spirituality, on the other hand, is more about an individual's personal relationship with the divine or the universe. It is a broader concept that can encompass religious beliefs but can also be entirely separate from them.

How do we meditate for Spiritual Growth?

Meditation is a cornerstone of many spiritual traditions and a powerful tool for personal growth. To begin meditating, find a quiet space and dedicate a few minutes each day to practice. Focus on your breath, a mantra, or even a candle flame, and gently bring your attention back whenever your mind wanders. The goal is not to empty the mind, but to observe it, understand its patterns and learn to be present in the moment.

What are Spiritual practices?

Spiritual practices are activities that deepen one's spiritual connection and understanding. These can range from traditional practices like prayer and fasting to more contemporary practices like eco-spirituality or volunteer work. The key is to engage in practices that feel meaningful and enriching to you, whether they are introspective practices like journaling or more active activities like community service.

How do we find a Spiritual Path?

Finding a spiritual path is a journey of exploration and discovery. It often involves reading about different spiritual traditions, experimenting with various practices, and reflecting on personal beliefs and experiences. It's important to remain open-minded and patient, as finding a path that resonates can take some time. Keep tuning into your intuition and trust that in time the right path will reveal itself to you.

What is a Spiritual Awakening?

A spiritual awakening is often described as a profound realization or shift in consciousness. It can manifest in various ways, such as a newfound sense of clarity, a deep understanding of one's purpose, or a feeling of unity with all existence. Such awakenings can be spontaneous or the result of prolonged spiritual practice. They often lead to significant changes in one's perspective and lifestyle.

How does Spirituality affect Mental Health?

Spirituality can play a vital role in mental health and well-being. It can offer a sense of purpose, provide comfort in times of stress or grief, and create a sense of community and belonging. However, it's important to approach spirituality in a way that is healthy and supportive of your mental health, recognizing that it's just one component of a holistic approach to well-being.

Discover Your Spiritual Path: A Personalized Quiz

Embark on a journey of self-discovery with our quiz. Answer these questions to uncover insights into your spiritual path and find practices that may resonate with you.

What draws you most in your exploration of spirituality?

A. Understanding the deeper meaning of life.

B. Feeling a connection with a higher power or the universe.

C. Finding inner peace and mental clarity.

D. Experiencing a sense of community and belonging.

Which activity do you find most fulfilling?

A. Reading and learning about different philosophies.

B. Spending time in nature.

C. Practicing meditation or yoga.

D. Volunteering or helping others.

Which qualities do you seek most in your spiritual practice?

A. Wisdom and knowledge.

B. Mystery and awe.

C. Calmness and balance.

D. Compassion and service.

How do you prefer to explore spirituality?

A. Through structured study or religious texts.

B. Through personal experiences and intuition.

C. Through guided practices like meditation or retreats.

D. Through community service and social activism.

When facing challenges, you prefer to:

A. Reflect and seek insights from various teachings.

B. Connect with nature or a higher power for guidance.

C. Engage in mindfulness or calming techniques.

D. Seek support from a community or group.

Mostly A's: The Seeker of Wisdom

You are drawn to the intellectual aspects of spirituality. You may find fulfillment in studying spiritual texts, engaging in philosophical discussions, and exploring various religious and spiritual traditions.

Mostly B's: The Mystic

Your path is one of personal experience and intuition. You may be drawn to practices that connect you with the natural world, contemplative activities, and an exploration of the mystical aspects of spirituality.

Mostly C's: The Inner Explorer

You value inner peace and balance. Mindfulness practices, meditation, and yoga might be particularly beneficial for you as you seek to understand your inner self and find tranquility.

Mostly D's: The Compassionate Activist

Your spirituality is deeply connected with community and service. Engaging in social activism, volunteering, and being part of spiritual communities align with your desire to make a positive impact on the world.

Remember, your spiritual journey is unique to you. This quiz serves as a starting point for an exploration into various practices and methods. I encourage you to blend elements from each area that resonate with your personal beliefs and experiences.

Resources offered by Humanity's Team to support Your Spiritual Journey

At Humanity's Team, we are dedicated to supporting your spiritual growth and exploration. Recognizing that each journey is unique, we offer a variety of resources tailored to meet the growing diversity of needs and interests:

Free Programs and Masterclasses

Our free programs are designed to provide valuable insights and teachings from renowned spiritual leaders and thinkers like Gregg Braden , Neale Donald Walsch , Michael Bernard Beckwith , Suzanne Giesemann , Nassim Haramein , James Van Praagh, and many more. These masterclasses cover a wide range of topics, from mindfulness and meditation to deeper philosophical discussions about spirituality and its role in today's world.

Humanity Stream+

Our streaming platform, Humanity Stream+ , offers a wealth of spiritual content at your fingertips. It features a diverse collection of talks, workshops, and documentaries focused on spirituality, interconnectedness, and personal development. This platform is an excellent resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of spirituality in daily life.

As we've explored these common questions about spirituality, it's clear that spirituality is a deeply personal and unique journey for each individual. We hope this exploration has provided valuable insights and guidance for your own spiritual path. Remember, the journey is as much about the process of discovery as it is about the destination. Be well on your journey, and Namaste.

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Becoming Minimalist

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A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring Spirituality

Written by joshua becker · 145 Comments

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” —A.W. Tozer

When I was in college, I read the preceding quote from the theologian/philosopher A.W. Tozer. The substance was so profound I have never forgotten its message almost 15 years later. It continues to spring up again and again in my mind on a regular basis.

I realize spirituality can be a very touchy topic that arouses countless strong opinions, intellectual arguments, and far too many unspeakable emotional wounds. Nevertheless, I believe the quote above holds true. There is nothing more central to our lives than our understanding of spirituality. And it is a conversation we ought to engage in far more often than we do.

Whether we have intentionally pursued a personal spirituality or not, our beliefs have a profound impact on our lives. Consciously or subconsciously, it influences us in countless ways. Consider how it impacts our understanding of…

• Ourselves. Does God care about me? Is He mad at me or pleased with me? If there is no God, who am I? And where did I orginate?
• Others. Are all lives equal? If so, on what basis? What is my responsibility to care for others?
• Minimalism. If we have removed the pursuit of worldly possessions from our affections, with what will we replace it?
• The world around us.  In what specific ways should we care about the world and the environment around us? Is our motivation in this regard more significant than survival of our species? And if so, how do we as humans responsibly interact with it?
• Morality. Is there a moral set of truth for the universe established from a higher power? Or is morality determined by each individual?
• Evil. What am I to understand about the evil and suffering in the world? Is it there for a reason? To what extent should I try to counteract it?
• Money. Does the universe give money/status to some and not others? Or is money/status earned by the individual? What should I do with it when I obtain it? Do I hold any responsibility to care for those with less?
• Afterlife. Is there life after death? Is death something to be feared or welcomed? And either way, how should I be preparing for it today?

No doubt, our understanding of spirituality carries great influence on our lives. For that reason, one of the most significant journeys we can ever embark upon is the exploration of it.

I understand fully this community is made up of readers from every imaginable religious/non-religious background. I am so very thankful for that reality. And I should be quick to mention this post is not an endorsement of any specific religion. Instead, my hope is only to prompt each of us to further consider the role of spirituality in our everyday lives. And cause us to joyfully embrace the journey rather than shy away from it.

Because of the important role it plays, you will never regret any time spent furthering your understanding of the Universe. Whether you have never tried, have tried but given up, or spend time everyday seeking one specific God, let me offer seven beginning steps that are central to our personal exploration of spirituality.

1. Respect those that have gone before. The quest to understand spirituality is as old as humanity itself. Billions have gone before and have spent countless hours seeking spirituality. Don‘t overlook their efforts. Consider their findings and their writings—even those outside the religion you have become accustomed to.

2. Your journey must be your own. You alone must be the decision-maker for your view of God. You should not blindly accept the teachings of another (even your closest mentor or parent). Your heart must ring true and your spirit must rejoice in your spirituality—or it is worthless.

3. Start right where you are. We all have special gifts of character: compassion, laughter, self-discipline, love, etc. Use them as your starting point. Are you facing a trial in life (disease, loss, rejection)? Use it as motivation to further pursue your understanding of spirituality. Lao-tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  He was right in every regard. Start your journey with whatever first step makes the most sense to you.

4. Ask God for help.  By this I mean, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by making the request. If there is a God, He may answer your prayer. And if there is no God, the process of making the request will still work to help focus your senses and desire.

5. Practice, practice, practice. Like everything else in life, spiritual growth is mastered through practice. If you don’t find your answers after your first few steps, take some more in a different direction. It will require time, effort, and energy. But given its influence on our lives, it is always worth the effort in the end.

6. Don’t be afraid of unanswered questions. Although leaving questions unanswered may sound contrary to the goal of the pursuit, we should not be afraid of them. These unanswered questions will cause some to forever abandon the journey. And while our spirituality should make sense of our heart‘s deepest questions, it would seem unreasonable to believe our minds could successfully fathom all the mysteries of the universe.

7. Be wary of “everyone is right” thinking. If there is no God, there is no God. If there is a God, He is something specific. Personally, I am skeptical of the thinking that says God can change from one person to another—that philosophy crumbles under the weight of its own logic. God is who God is. And it‘s our responsibility to successfully find Him.

Again, I realize fully this journey is going to look different for every single one of us. Spirituality is a highly personal matter and will likely result in different outcomes. This is not a post that endorses any specific religion. It is simply a post of encouragement and a reminder this journey is important.

I do not typically moderate comments too closely (unless they turn offensive). But I might make a suggestion for this post. In the comments below, I would be interested to hear about your personal journey toward spirituality. How did it begin? And how did you arrive at your understanding? I think this conversation will be more helpful and encouraging than a specific argument made for choosing your view.

Image:  overgraeme

March 7, 2024 at 1:58 PM

My mother my whole life was Mormon, up until I was 7 years old. She wrote a book, which I won’t name here as not to DOX myself and respect her, about her near death experience where she met God. I grew up thinking that I lucked out, knowing exactly what happens in the afterlife and who’s religion was “right”. But then, she decided suddenly that she wasn’t Mormon anymore.

My siblings are envious of me, saying she used to inflict the fear of God in them. One day in the car she got a phone call, and was never the same again after that. To this day, I have no idea what was on that phone call. I’ve asked her more than once, and she’s baffled with the idea that a single phone call could have changed everything like that. That it wasn’t sudden to her. But it was sudden to me, and a core memory.

Suddenly she smokes cigarettes, she’s telling her children to be who they truly are. She’s talking to her mother again, after growing up briefly in a disgusting and terrifying cult. I was allowed to stay over at people’s houses as I pleased, as a teenager I came to her drunk and high or depressed about breakups and knew no matter what that she loved me the same.

Suddenly the idea of God wasn’t even spoken in the house anymore. She would joke saying “let’s pray before eating” and my siblings would laugh and tell her to shut up. It’s so odd to have everything flipped upside down, and for upside down to feel so correct. To see my mother able to joke about these things, and to be so close with my mom that we can say anything to her.

And now, I’m confused. I have a strong set of beliefs, one based in rigorous soul searching. But to feel as if I believed blindly because of my mother and to suddenly be told “actually, I was wrong” after she received proof of her belief system, I don’t know how to make the right choice. And for one, I don’t align with a spirituality that has a name to my knowledge, and I am frustrated trying to find anyone with a similar idea of what I feel.

I feel in my soul that God the name of a sheet of mathematics, a giant fractal of a pattern of numbers that are the “code” to life’s existence. The reason a flower knows how to be a flower, that it’s a piece of this fractal. And that I don’t mean this to say that God is unfeeling mechanical either. But rather the opposite, that our feelings, our beliefs and thoughts are mathematical. And that although I believe in freewill, I also believe that our actions, thoughts, and the seconds that tick by between them create new limbs of this fractal, and thus creates an equal reaction elsewhere (like a quantum twin). This is how our decisions affect others.

The second part of this belief system in the Universe, the place where this fractal unfurls. I believe that the Universe helps create separation in this fractal, so that we can exist separately instead of as a part of God. Like a grid with boxes, my existence is a “box”. But along a third axis, this box extends for every moment that passes, another grid. That I am a different piece the next moment. This means that the past exists as an extension of the self, in a separate box. I believe that we are in a symbiotic relationship with God, to extend the organism as much as possible with our experiences and life. The purpose being to look on a life that were proud of at the end of it, a beautiful personal piece of the fractal.

The third and final aspect of what I believe is the Universal hive mind. That if I need to manifest, to communicate, to understand with or through God, that I just need to ask that piece of myself that already is God. That if we’re all little pieces of God, down to the dirt and as far as the nebulas, then it is easy to communicate by asking the Universe as if it’s a librarian. Like asking for a history book, and the Universe brings it to you. You just need to know how to communicate, and that everyone does it in different ways.

I sometimes think that phone call my mother answered decades ago didn’t exist in her version of reality, only in mine. A literal “call to action” to question my compliance. Her equal reaction that affected my life.

I have had confirmation in my beliefs in many ways. Meditation, premonition, and divination. Ever since I started taking myself seriously instead of thinking I was silly, I’ve seen and done such incredible things. But that’s why I’m even here, commenting on this article. The Universe has asked me to figure out what I actually believe in. To take part in existing rituals the right way. To learn from masters of different religions and practice respectfully to extend my knowledge of what I believe in, and learn to properly execute my own belief system.

But I’ve been frustrated, and I don’t understand now. I am attempting to learn more about the institutions and methods in which I communicate with God, but I’m stumped. I don’t know what to look into, the closest information I can find is through occultism. But that’s much too broad a subject.

I think I may have just needed to tell someone about the way that I feel. I haven’t spoken to many people in the last 5 years. It’s lonely to search for a sense of sameness in spirituality when I haven’t found any information of anyone believing what I do, or even a similarity in another sense of belief. If you have any suggestions on what I should look into, even if it’s just a good book or to hear your sense of sameness, feel free to reply. But I appreciate if you’ve read this far, and I wish you luck in your journey to understanding your relationship with spirituality.

March 8, 2024 at 2:29 PM

Hiya, I can relate to what you’re saying. Some teachings I have been interested in lately are bahai and kriya yoga. My main guide is Jesus (Yeshua) on how to walk in both worlds at a safe pace and direction etc. I like Eckhart Tolle, esp. stillness speaks. I like to be a light (everything that is good and lovely and perfect) detective.

March 8, 2024 at 2:30 PM

NDE studies are very telling.

April 4, 2024 at 5:31 PM

It was very soothing reading about your spiritual journey. Honestly, I stumbled upon this article by searching on Google and didn’t expect I’d be reading something profound even in the comments section too. I agree with you, that there is God within us.. and all we need to do is ask from that part of us that is connected to the Universe.

It may seem overwhelming to even think a part of the Universe resides within us considering its vastness and might, but I believe no matter how infinitesimal we feel, our actions affect the Universe. It changes with us. 🙂

I’m trying to find my way back to my spirituality… I feel like I have diverged into what I truly want to experience in this life. I’m rooting for you and everyone’s spiritual journey. May we find bliss in search for meaning, even if we won’t find the answers. Not until after our last breath perhaps? or maybe not.. let’s see. 😊

April 29, 2024 at 8:38 AM

Truth resonates. Once included, never stupid. Thank you for sharing, you are not alone… being kind to self and others. Becoming so small and smaller yet, not of lesser importance, instead connecting to the infinitely large in reciprocity now one made whole. This is love, gracious inclusion, a property of the universe. Run to and not from the fear to love. When you have a choice of being kind or being right, choose kindness for it is in alignment with your spirit. In this there is no conflict, nor remorse or shadow of turning.

February 29, 2024 at 7:01 AM

I am almost 80 years old. I had an abusive childhood, but became a psychotherapist and pretty much worked through that stuff. The focus of my 40-plus year career was working with abused, angry, violent kids. I was basically a choir member/weekend Christian until retirement in 2017. Joined a bible based church, spent some years studying the bible and developing a personal relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. About four years ago, I began an intense study of NDE’s. (I was extremely interested in Moody’s book in 1975, but so busy with work, I put it on back burner.) Reading about the experiences NDE’ers described, I couldn’t avoid the understanding that my current Christian beliefs did not address all the information I was internalizing. First response was sadness. I love the God of my religion. I rely on the Holy Spirit every day! I don’t WANT to give that up!! I very quickly determined that I WOULDN’T give up anything I didn’t want to, and I felt sure in my heart I wouldn’t be punished for my continued love of Jesus. Fine. So here I am. And—my MAJOR emotional angst is that I have always been certain that I have NO ability to access a more “spiritual knowing.” Since I was young, I would hear about a supernatural experience or two that my mother and grandmother had experienced. I was so envious! I would beg the universe to give me a “sign” of some kind, and throughout my life I got dead silence. I’m still pretty sure I’m a very young soul. I WISH it weren’t so, but I sure feel like the “thin veil” that’s so often mentioned, is an iron curtain in my case.☹️ Regardless. I am determined to continue on my quest to learn all that I can. I am great at reading ( listening) to books and podcasts, but I am having an inordinately difficult time getting started on a meditation schedule. What an understatement! I have NEVER meditated, and I don’t truly know why I keep stalling. I felt it necessary to buy high quality headphones 🙄 , and they’ve been in the box since Christmas. I have, for a couple years, been saying, “I’m SUCH a lazy arse!” believing that’s the holdup, but as I’m writing, that seems insufficient. I AM determined to try it out, and see what happens, but I’m not sure what to use as an aide. Bottom line: (1) I’m looking for books or blogs, etc., of well respected teachers. (2) I’m want, so much, to think there are other beginners LIKE ME who, sadly, exhibit NO spiritual sensitivities, or advanced “knowings”, but still have a passion to grow-if it’s possible. Thank you so much for caring.

February 11, 2024 at 7:55 AM

I am so pleased I found your article. I was a forced conservative Christian since childhood but it just never made sense to me. So when I could I left Christianity and just floated.

At 68 I went back to college and one of my pathways happened to be world religions. Although I find them all compelling and answering some questions I have not found my true spiritual home yet.

I would love to read your book.

February 4, 2024 at 9:20 PM

I need help to a lot of questions because lately I see and hear everything the way the were met to be and I think I need someone to talk about it.

December 18, 2023 at 12:19 AM

I was a addict from a young age. Exploring drugs alcohol and moving away when I was 15 and not returning till I was 18. I Concorde my heroin addiction when I had kids and stayed clean for years only to relapse 4 years ago on minor drugs. After two years me and my husband of 16 years split. And I had rejection trauma from my family that gave me schizophrenia. Was that and is it ever a experience. Like LSD or shrooms all the time. After my diagnosis I was left all on my own in the world not a friend or family member who cared for me. I lost my kids to my ex and his family and am now a meth addict that’s tried everything to quit. I once had a life that made sense and I could talk and remember things I can’t anymore. Since the schizophrenia I know little happiness and am always alone. My own kids are strangers and don’t bother. I don’t know what to do. I know I can’t go back. Forward is the only way to go. So to make my life have meaning for it’s devoid of it or any happiness I was browsing today and came across this helpful article. This is the beginnings and first thoughts on accumulated knowledge. I cleaned out a room in my house I was going to rent and plan to make it my office for lack of better words. Spiritual sanctuary Mabey. I began by gathering a family history and as many pictures as I could of ancestors all written in a leather book. My favorite ancestors are in frames on a desk. I do ancestor veneration by burning candles insense and pouring cold fresh water for them in a small clear mug. I figure knowing those you descend from and thinking about there best qualitys may grow them in myself. Second since it’s a well lit room I put prisms everywhere to catch the sun and it’s filled with my plants because I’m a avid gardener. I’m beginning to minimalize. I started a prosperity alter in one corner sorta pagan but it draws money to me. Saving odd bills and coins and a statue of a chipmunk I saved and came to me in a dream and gave me a nut. I am thinking of building a library on there for my books but it’s becoming a shelter. That’s as far as I’ve gotten I’ve spent most of the night trying to figure out who my patron saint is and will be meditating most of the next month to figure out who my messenger spirit is. The spirit that takes your messages to the ears of those that need them and assble your spiritual court of which your ancestors spirit guides ect all your inspiration comprise of. That’s where I stand. I’m figuring it out as I go. Good luck everyone.

February 6, 2024 at 10:54 AM

this story is very important to many thank you for sharing. i found it ver interesting and informative and i am inspired by you. Glad for your success and hope you are happy where you are now

December 17, 2023 at 12:20 PM

Iv struggled with addiction from a very young age I was barely a teenager when I started taking drugs, and I had already started drinking alcohol with my friends. My parents were drug addicts and I suffered alot of physical abuse my mother was violent and mentally abusive. From my mother. Up until the age of 11/12 my father worked so he didn’t know how bad my mother was with me, I was also treated like a dog, I say this because I wasn’t under any circumstances allowed inside my home until it was 8pm winter / summer Rain, hail, or snow. Not to mention that this all was happening before the age of 7. that’s when my sister was born. We moved not long after that to a bigger place. Even though I was just a child myself I was the one who looked after my sister, but I felt resentful with my sister at times because I couldn’t enjoy myself with my friends because I had to bring her with me and she was slowing us down of course she was, she was just a toddler with a child trying to make sure she was been looked after. Eventually she got old enough to have her own friends so she would be off playing with them.. this is when the drinking started…. my mother and father’s addiction got to breaking point he had no job and a bad herion addiction and I use to be worried sick when I new that there was no money for there drug habit and they were going to be feeling the sickness from the withdrawals it was a living hell. But unfortunately my mother died when I was 15 I started smoking herion with my father and 3 years later he passed leave me a my brother. I got clean so I could give my sister a better life I got a new home done alot of therapy and started to learn about myself. Unfortunately after 8 years drugs and alcohol free I relapsed worse mistake I made. I had built up so much in recovery had kids went back to education and done alot of soul searching letting go of guilt and shame I grew up into a confidant woman so when I relapse I lost everything down to my children and still don’t have them back today this is 3 years iv been stuck.. but something happened because of my drugs use I suffer with my breathing problems because of asthma but what happened to me could have happened regardless because of my illness. J rang an ambulance and can’t remember anything after that. I was found out in the hall of my apartment complex lips blue struggling to breathe as I said I don’t remember. I was put into a inducedcomoa for 5 day and when I got of what happened I feel like something helped keep me alive and want to explore spirituality to use in my life to help me better my life and to guide me.

December 22, 2023 at 1:13 AM

Find yourself and your children and family will find you spirituality when you connect to the other side and the other side connects with you with the love of Christ in you your heart and your spirit and soul let your mind go free and the light in yourself w i l l soon reach heaven and heaven will reach back spirituality and you will find a better day and night we all have a little light of the Lord in US each day gets brighter keep the Lord Jesus Christ in your mind and heart It could only get brighter

December 13, 2023 at 9:12 AM

i need help I am a sinner

December 22, 2023 at 1:18 AM

We are all sinners I’d be lying if we were not dear Jesus forgive me for I am a sinner Christ in your heart and in your mind will always make your day and night a little bit brighter

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What is Spirituality? (& How to Choose YOUR Path)

by Aletheia · Nov 29, 2023 · 104 Comments

There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same. ― Chinese Proverb

Are you ready to hear something alarming and, quite frankly, intimidating?

Do a quick search on Google for the question “what is spirituality?” and you’ll receive 3,000,000,000+ results in less than a second .

(Since writing this article, the numbers have almost certainly gone up!)

Let’s pause and rewind for a moment.

Just think about what that means.

3,000,000,000 + results means that there are three billion different voices, perspectives, backgrounds, and beliefs all trying to answer the same single question.

Three billion results means that there are three billion different answers to the question “what is spirituality?” And that’s only on the internet.

How the heck are you meant to find out what spirituality is (and even what’s the right path for you to follow), with so much information?

There’s a reason why you have something called intuition (aka. your inner tuition ). the answers are always within you and it’s your sovereign right to take what resonates and leave the rest..

With that being said, I’m attempting the mammoth undertaking of simplifying and distilling everything I know, have experienced, and have researched from a wide range of perspectives on spirituality – all to help you find your own answers.

For your convenience, I’ve broken this article down into easily-digestible parts:

Table of contents

Spirituality vs. religion: what’s the difference, the difference between spirituality and spiritualism, is there “one true” spiritual path, transcendent vs. immanent spirituality, 5 common spiritual paths (list), when spirituality overlaps with psychology, how to start your spiritual journey.

Firstly, let’s create some clarity in the realm of spirituality vs. religion. What’s the difference?

And are you more of a spiritual or religious person?

Here’s a simple distinction between spirituality vs. religion:

Spirituality is connecting to the Divine through your own personal experience. It is primarily concerned with finding, experiencing, and embodying one’s true spiritual nature.

Religion is connecting to the Divine through someone else’s experience. It is primarily concerned with believing in, following, and obeying the rules created by a certain Deity or spiritual teacher.

Historian and philosopher, Yuval Noah Harari explains the contrast between spirituality and religion in this way:

Religion is a deal, whereas spirituality is a journey. Religion gives a complete description of the world, and offers us a well-defined contract with predetermined goals. ‘God exists. He told us to behave in certain ways. If you obey God, you’ll be admitted to heaven. If you disobey Him, you’ll burn in hell.’ The very clarity of this deal allows society to define common norms and values that regulate human behaviour. Spiritual journeys are nothing like that. They usually take people in mysterious ways towards unknown destinations. The quest usually begins with some big question, such as who am I? What is the meaning of life? What is good? Whereas many people just accept the ready-made answers provided by the powers that be, spiritual seekers are not so easily satisfied. They are determined to follow the big question wherever it leads, and not just to places you know well or wish to visit.

Spirituality Vs. Religion

Below, I’ll break down the overall difference between spirituality and religion even further:

Can you understand the difference between spirituality and religion a little better now?

Let me know what you think in the comments: are you more spiritual or religious?

Yes, it is possible to be “spiritual but not religious.” It is also possible to be religious but not spiritual – or a little bit of both. But it’s useful to determine what side you lean more towards: it will help you make clear life choices that align with your true needs, values, and desires.

If you’d like to explore this difference in-depth, we explore it further in our article: Spirituality vs Religion: 11 Differences (Pros and Cons) .

Here’s another area that we need to shed some light on.

What’s the difference between spirituality and spiritualism?

They sound awfully similar and can easily be mixed together and mistaken for each other. So let’s create some clarity here.

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Broadly defined, spirituality is a way of life in which a person seeks to connect to the Divine or their True Nature .

Spiritualism, on the other hand, is a movement based on the belief that we can connect with departed souls.

Spiritualists, primarily seek to make contact with the dead and thereby gain knowledge, insight, and even healing through such a method.

Can spiritualists be spiritual, and can spiritual seekers be spiritualists?

Yes, absolutely.

Many people benefit from the belief of gaining assistance from the spirits of the dead. For some, directly communing with departed souls forms an important part of their life path. For others, spiritualism has indirectly provided hope, emotional relief, acceptance of life and death, and other profound inner benefits where nothing else could.

Practice healthy caution …

However, it must be noted here that it’s not necessary to be interested in or possess psychic abilities (such as clairvoyance, clairaudience, etc.) or mediumship to successfully walk the spiritual path.

In some instances, spiritualism can become a distraction – an endlessly exciting rabbit hole to get lost in – that actually distances one from the whole point of spirituality: to unite with one’s True Nature.

When spiritual guidance is endlessly sought outside of ourselves (in the form of mediums, spirits, etc.), rather than inside of ourselves, it can become an obstacle – particularly if Spiritual Liberation is the goal of a person’s life.

Furthermore, it’s wise to be practice caution and discernment in the spiritualist field. Many people have been taken advantage of (and continue to be used every day) by fraudulent psychics, channels, and mediums who claim to have special powers but are only in it for money or status.

As we can see so far, spirituality is extremely personal: it means something different for everyone . Therefore, there is no one “true” spiritual path.

Shadow & Light Membership:

If anyone tries to claim that their spiritual path is the “one true way,” they are adopting a religious mindset, not a spiritual mindset. (And as we’ve seen, religion is based on dogma whereas spirituality is based on personal experience.)

Unlike religion, your spiritual path is tailored exclusively to your emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. This means that your spiritual path will shift, change, morph, and evolve alongside you many times throughout your life.

Before we define the five common spiritual paths out there, it’s extremely helpful to understand one simple point: spiritual paths can be either transcendent or immanent (and in some cases both).

What do I mean by transcendence or immanence?

Well, transcendent spirituality sees the Divine as greater than us , beyond this world, and something we attain or self-realize .

Immanent spirituality, on the other hand, sees the Divine as living among us , very much apparent in this physical world, and something we embody.

There is no one “right or wrong” approach to spirituality here: whether you favor transcendent or immanent spirituality all depends on your unique perspective of reality.

One example of a transcendent path is Neo-Advaita, whereas Animism is a reflection of immanent spirituality. An example of a path that combines both transcendent and immanent spirituality is Panentheism (as in, the Divine is both within all and above all).

Spirituality is like an eclectic rainbow: there are endless varieties of paths and practices out there.

What matters is that you choose something that feels true to you .

And remember that what you like and need now will likely evolve in the future. Why? The reason is that you’re an eternally evolving creature! When you stop going through changes you’re in a state of living death (and that obviously isn’t very healthy is it?!).

Therefore, don’t be afraid to dabble and then deeply commit to something that feels true to you.

So, to assist in your soul searching , what are the most common spiritual paths out there?

To keep this section succinct, I’ve divided the following paths and practices into five categories. (Keep in mind that some of these practices and paths can and do overlap):

Earth-Based Spirituality

(i.e. connection with the earth or the material realm as a gateway to the Divine)

Examples of practices within this spiritual path include:

• Nature Mysticism
• Neo-Paganism
• Plant Medicine Journeying
• Crystals / Herbal Healing

Metaphysical Spirituality

(i.e. connection with the non-material realm as a gateway to the Divine)

• Energy Healing (Reiki, Chakra healing , etc.)
• Esotericism / Occultism
• Spirit guide / Deity contact
• Divination (Palmistry, Tarot cards , Pendulum dowsing , etc.)
• Witchcraft / Magick
• Soul retrieval

Body-Based Spirituality

(i.e. using the body as a gateway to the Divine)

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• Tai Chi / Qi Gong
• Chanting / Mantras

Heart-Based Spirituality

(i.e. using the heart as a gateway to the Divine)

• Unconditional love
• Cultivating compassion
• Finding life purpose
• Finding the meaning of life
• Spiritual relationships
• Heartfulness (heart-based mindfulness)
• Philanthropy / serving others
• Listening to / developing intuition

Mind-Based Spirituality

(i.e. using the mind as a gateway to the Divine)

• Non-duality
• Mindfulness
• Visualization
• Self-Hypnosis
• Contemplation
• Positive Thinking
• Trance / altered states of consciousness
• Law of Attraction

It’s impossible to include every single spiritual path/practice here, but I hope you now have a smorgasbord of options to explore.

Remember, spirituality is like a tree. Some paths and practices are closer to the central trunk which is the ultimate goal of spirituality (awakening, Oneness , and liberation from suffering).

Other paths and practices, on the other hand, form the peripheral twigs: they’re still important, but perhaps to a lesser degree.

It’s up to you to ultimately figure out what your ultimate spiritual goal is, and what practices are going to help you get there. Really, that’s the joy that comes with walking your own spiritual path .

Eastern Spirituality celebrates the dissipation of the ego, Western Psychology champions the strengthening and integration of the ego. As it turns out, they are both right. Once we have done enough work to establish our sense of self, we organically merge with the bigger ocean. – Jeff Brown

Summarized briefly, spirituality + psychology = psycho-spirituality.

Psycho-spirituality is a combination of:

• Heart and Mind
• Heaven and Earth
• East and West

It’s an integrative, balanced approach to life that we advocate on this website and a path I strive to bring into my everyday existence.

But why bring psychology into spirituality?

Spirituality without psychology is vague, ungrounded, and disconnected from daily life. In and of itself, spirituality typically doesn’t deal with the mental and emotional issues buried beneath the surface of our lives. Thus, when we only focus on spirituality, we tend to fall into the trap of spiritual bypassing , which is using spirituality to avoid our everyday life issues – causing great harm to ourselves and others.

On the other hand, psychology without spirituality is dry, overly theoretical, and disconnected from the fresh breeze of spiritual insight. Working on ourselves and our issues is important, but if that’s only what we focus on, our lives end up feeling empty and dull.

If you’re interested in walking the spiritual path, I strongly recommend incorporating some kind of psychological work into your practice . This could be as simple as seeing a therapist every fortnight or reading self-help books.

Whatever the case, something is better than nothing. It’s best to flush out the toxins rather than letting them accumulate and fester within your mind and heart.

Common psycho-spiritual inner work practices include:

• Automatic Writing
• Learning how to love yourself (self-love)
• Inner Child Work
• Shadow Work
• Archetype Work
• Active Imagination (“Astral Travel”)
• Divine Feminine / Divine Masculine Work ( anima and animus )
• Hypnotherapy (including self-hypnosis )
• Trauma Work (somatic experiencing, body-centered mindfulness)

Click on any topics you’re interested in to find out more. Many topics we’ve written about on this website, or provided premium resources for in our shop .

The Spiritual Awakening Process

There are many layers to spirituality and the spiritual path.

Most people who become interested in spirituality have gone through, or are going through, a spiritual awakening process of some kind. After or simultaneously during this experience, they might also experience a painful phenomenon known as the Dark Night of the Soul.

I’ll clearly differentiate what these stages in human evolution mean below:

What is Spiritual Awakening?

Quite simply, a spiritual awakening is an experience of entering the spiritual search.

Often, spiritual awakenings happen as a result of sickness, job loss, traumatic life experiences, and big life changes such as getting married or having a child. Suddenly, the old, materialistic way of life doesn’t satisfy a person, and they start to crave more. And so begins the spiritual quest.

As I shared in my article on spiritual awakening :

Spiritual awakenings are the soul’s cry for freedom … If you have experienced a spiritual awakening, you have come to see through the lies and illusions of this world. Deep in your soul , you realize that nothing external has ever, and can ever, bring you true happiness or fulfillment. This profound realization leaves you craving for something richer, more fulfilling, and something that will make you feel whole once again.

What is the Dark Night of the Soul?

The Dark Night of the Soul was a term originally coined by the 16th-century Spanish Monk and Mystic, Saint John of the Cross. It was derived from a poem by the same name (“ Noche Oscura ”) that described his own painful experience.

In a nutshell, the Dark Night of the Soul is the experience of feeling totally disconnected from the Divine. This severe feeling of isolation and spiritual abandonment may accompany a spiritual awakening (having “lost” contact with Spirit) or may also emerge naturally as a result of a traumatic life experience.

As shared in our Dark Night of the Soul article:

The Dark Night of the Soul is a period of utter spiritual desolation, disconnection, and emptiness in which one feels totally separated from the Divine. Those who experience the Dark Night feel completely lost, hopeless, and consumed with melancholy. The Dark Night of the Soul can be likened to severe spiritual depression.

While the Dark Night sounds undeniably scary, it’s also a vital part of the spiritual path that motivates us to explore spirituality in the first place. Without death, there cannot be rebirth. And without dissolution, there can’t be transformation.

So if you’re reading this and you feel stuck, lost, or hopeless to find your life path, see this as a sign that you’re already on the spiritual journey. Know that there is hope and what you’re experiencing does have a meaning and purpose.

The spiritual life is both deep and transcendent. – Thomas Moore

By now you might be wondering, how do I choose my spiritual path?

Not to sound like a fortune cookie, but your spiritual path chooses you .

What I mean by this is that, deep down, your heart, soul, spirit, whatever you want to call it, knows what it needs the most to evolve, mature, heal, and transform.

But to make the process a bit easier for you, here are some steps you can take. Feel free to keep what resonates and throw away the rest:

1. Define what spirituality means to you

The power and freedom are in your hands to throw away all second-hand descriptions and define what spirituality means to you.

Remember, this is your life and your path. You don’t need to buy into a definition of spirituality that doesn’t resonate on a core level with you. Your definition of spirituality needs to feel true, and viscerally real – and if it doesn’t, throw it away and move on.

Indeed, you need to be able to really feel what spirituality is in your bones in order to find a genuine spiritual path that truly helps you.

For me, spirituality is a direct experience : it’s not a belief, it’s not a compartmentalized practice, it’s something that I strive to actively live and experience in everyday life. For instance, to me, spirituality is about growing up and waking up. It’s a uniting, present-moment force. It’s about finding out who I am and moving beyond all labels. It’s about doing and being, building up and tearing down, and experiencing the very core of who and what I am. It’s about constantly evolving, maturing, healing, and embodying the Divine that I am an inseparable part of.

Don’t worry if your definition of spirituality isn’t as long or multi-layered as mine. It doesn’t need to be. Just brainstorm or write some of your thoughts down on a piece of paper, or in your personal journal. The benefit of writing down your thoughts (i.e., journaling ) is that you’ll be able to refer back to them in the future and see how your approach has morphed and evolved.

Not many people clearly define what spirituality is to them – and this results in a lot of personal confusion, frustration, and disillusionment. It’s easy to look to others for answers, but ultimately no one is living your life for you but you , and you need to define what spirituality means to you in order to authentically walk your spiritual path.

2. Think about your approach (and what you really want)

Why do you want to have a spiritual path? How committed do you want to be? When all is said and done, what are your true needs, motivations, and desires?

Asking yourself these three questions will clear up  a tremendous amount  of confusion and frustration. By asking the deep-and-real questions, you’re giving yourself the best chance to grow, transform, and heal.

As psychotherapist and yoga teacher Mariana Caplan writes,

To ask this question of ourselves – “Am I committed, or am I just involved?” – and give an honest answer helps us to make intelligent choices about which paths and practices are best suited for the spiritual development we seek. The problem arises when we profess one thing and live out another, because we confuse ourselves and others, and we limit our growth. If only we could say honestly and without shame, “I engage spirituality as a hobby,” or “I want a spiritual practice that will give me some peace of mind but without any commitment or discipline,” or “I’d like to keep spirituality as my mistress but maintain comfort and security as my spouse,” or “I want to be seen as a spiritual man or woman because that will make me more sexy.” … It is not wrong to have such an approach to spiritual development. We grow from where we are, and if we pretend to be somewhere we are not and try to move forward, we are likely to travel in a very crooked line and become more confused than necessary.

Be honest with yourself and look within. What do you truly want?

3. Choose a handful of spiritual paths/practices

Refer back to the Common Spiritual Paths and Practices part above and choose between one to five areas that interest you. Try to pick practices that you feel a genuine pull towards (even if they seem silly to your mind). Let your heart lead the way.

The reason why I advise listening to your heart is that the mind tends to deceive us easily. We believe we “ have to ” like this or “ should ” practice that. As a result, we try to live up to a mental ideal that superficially looks attractive but internally feels hollow.

So go with your instincts and follow your passions – this is the best way to ensure that you’ll stay motivated.

4. Choose a psycho-spiritual practice

As I mentioned above, without psychology, spirituality can easily become ungrounded, disconnected from daily life, and can be used to bypass our inner shadows, traumas, and childhood issues.

To truly get the most out of your spiritual path, you need to also heal and mature on the personal ( ego ) level. This process is known as individuation . The goal of individuation is to become a Whole human being with access to all sides of your nature .

Go to the section above entitled When Spirituality Overlaps With Psychology and choose one or two practices from the list. (Please note: shadow work is an advanced psychological practice that requires a good foundation of self-love – so if you’re new to self-development, try other practices first to not overwhelm yourself.)

If you would like professional guidance, seek out transpersonal or psycho-spiritual counselors/therapists. If you can’t find any in your area, ask the professionals that are available whether they incorporate spirituality into their therapeutic approaches.

5. Combine, mix, and co-create your unique path

Using the spiritual and psychological paths and practices you’ve selected, begin to incorporate them into your daily life.

At first, you may need to formally set aside or schedule a certain amount of time every day to dedicate to your spiritual path. Think about what time of the day would be best for you (many people prefer the morning, but if you’re a night owl perhaps try the evening).

Consider setting aside 15 minutes or more a day for your spiritual practice (you can increase this amount of time as you go deeper). However, if you feel like dedicating more time to your spiritual path from the beginning, go for it! This is your path remember.

You might also like to dedicate a space in your house to your spiritual practice – even if that simply means an empty corner of a room. If you have an artistic side, you may like to create an altar  if that speaks to you. Otherwise, simply create a quiet space in which you can reflect and reconnect to the Divine.

6. Ask, “what is the ultimate purpose?”

Many spiritual paths and practices are alluring on the surface, but beneath they are very limited in scope and will only get you so far.

One profoundly helpful question I keep using over and over again on my journey is, “ what is the ultimate purpose of this path? ” I then reflect on what spirituality means to me and my true needs, and whether they all align. If they don’t, and if I find the path/practice to be superficially pretty, but lacking on a deeper level for me, I discard it and move on.

Asking the simple question of “ what is the ultimate purpose of this path? ” will help you to sort the ‘wheat from the chaff’ so to speak. The result of finding such clarity is a deeper, more authentic, and enriching spiritual path.

Over to You …

In conclusion, I’ll leave you with a beautiful quote that summarizes religion, spirituality, and the spiritual path:

Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it. – Unknown

Tell me, what is spirituality to you? What’s the goal of your spiritual path? I’d love to hear in the comments.

More Starting The Journey

About Aletheia

Aletheia 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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Having had the experience of the Dark Night of the soul and having had the awakening of the spirit I can say this article expertly defines what this journey is or has been for me and continues to be and how it’s still evolving. It’s truly profound that I’ve experienced all of these things and am practicing all of these methods having had no prior knowledge of this article. Synchronicity at work lol . Ime the awakening breaks one away from the delusions and illusions of self and the outer world. Often this is described as an ego death but it is also a spiritual birth too where a new ego and self is born. For me I know what it is to be reborn. I also realized that this wasn’t the end game and that it was only just the beginning of my journey.

This means I’m both religious (from upbringing) and spiritual (personal experience). It’s interesting because the two often tie together (personal experience from a religious teaching/event). I believe in God and God is Spirit. There is a relational aspect vs ritual & routine; believing in God as Spirit is deeply personal rather than dogmatic. My mother had this relational belief while my father was religiously legalistic. I’m definitely following the path of my mother and still discovering my own spiritual journey.

Is it crazy that i teared up reading some of this, this was a very good read and was helpful

I think you undervalue the religious path. Starting with religion and then transcending it has been my path. Not all people with standard religious practices are “rule driven” but can see the depth of their own tradition. It gives a great basis for “grounding” and not becoming disconnected from ourselves. Of course you end up not “fitting in” in the end, but with judicious choices you can still connect with the practices and be your own authentic self.

This article “How to Start Your Spiritual Journey” on your website is so helpful tome. I love the way you explain and list the process. Thank you !

I truly enjoy looking at on this internet site, it has fantastic blog posts. “Never fight an inanimate object.” by P. J. O’Rourke.

Love the final quote ! Loved the clarity you gave in this article <3

around her we say “religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell… spirituality is for those who have been there”

Good article! I have a meme that sums it up quite nicely and is about the best and simplest description I’ve seen yet:

“Making a commitment to the Spiritual path is no small task and many who consider themselves “religious” are not on the spiritual path at all. Just because someone is faithful to religious rules doesn’t mean they’re committed to freeing themselves from the prison of fear and ego-driven life . Sometimes their egos are just grasping at the rules of their religion as a way to structure their egoic world view and use it as an opportunity to judge those who don’t share their world view. This isn’t meant to judge those who are committed to a particular religion. Many religious people are definitely on the spiritual path. But the two don’t always go together.”

I thought your article was well done, with one exception: When you listed the differences between spirituality and religion you indicated that one of the definitions of religion was “pity.” Spending time around friends who are religious, I would say there is more empathy than pity. I’m sure there are a fair number of religious individuals who do engage in pity but, from my encounters, I would have to say that I see far more empathy.

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How to Begin a Spiritual Journey & Kickstart a Spiritual Awakening

Published: Nov 26, 2021 · Updated: Nov 12, 2022 by Jessica Dimas · 3 Comments · Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.

Today's post is all about how to begin your spiritual journey if you're feeling the call, but don't know where to start. It can feel overwhelming with all of the advice out there, but I'm here to remind you that you're always being led to the next thing intuitively.

You're more of an ancient pro than you realize. The fact that you're feeling pulled to learn more means you're aware, listening, and ready.

One of the things I've really come to know is that your impulses are not random–it's all inspired in some way by your higher self. Let's talk about how to follow that guidance and what to expect when you start actively uncovering you , the universe, and ultimate truth.

Table of Contents

What is a spiritual journey?

A spiritual journey is simply the on-going experience of uncovering and remembering who you really are on a soul level. It's a never-ending expansion of all that you are–a never-ending love story between you and your higher self . You're always on a spiritual journey whether you realize it or not. 

A stripper is just as much on a spiritual path as a priest is. Their souls are just experimenting with different challenges and themes. One thing that I've learned personally from my spiritual journey is that it's all spiritual.

How you choose to go about discovering your truth is your choice and no one else's. The beliefs you would like to explore, the books you want to read, the ways you choose to experiment and practice connecting with yourself...these are all going to be unique to you.

I mention this for a few reasons. One being that no one knows what path is best for you, and two being that there isn't anyone out there with the whole answer. You have a piece of the puzzle and so do I, which is why there is a wise Ram Dass quote that says "When you know how to listen, everybody is the guru speaking to you."

How do you know when you're spiritually awakened?

In my humble opinion, no one in human form is ever fully spiritually awakened. It's similar to teenagers in junior high who talk about kissing and getting to second base, and everyone assumes everyone else is so experienced and ahead.

Then you grow up and realize that everyone was trying to find their way, just like you were. 

You're always in a state of spiritual awakening . You go back to sleep, wake up for a little bit, doze off again...repeat. I don't know that there is ever one huge moment where you're now "spiritually awakened" (cue a gong sound). 

But there is such a thing as coming into yourself, of "waking up" from the stories we tell ourselves and each other here on this stage of illusions. A big chunk of your youth is spent anchoring into this reality and going through experiences that will shape and prepare you for spiritually awakening as you get older. 

If you came into this lifetime wanting to work on shame , for example, you will go through experiences in your youth that really perpetuate that emotion inside of you. You do this so that when you are ready, you will investigate this story you believe about yourself, this illusion . You'll dance with the shame, make friends with it, and eventually release it with love. 

The experiences in your life have been no mistake. They were all part of the plan for your eventual waking back up to truth.

How to begin a spiritual journey

Right here, where you are with what's calling you in this moment is where you begin. All it requires is some quiet reflection to get personalized answers for your spiritual journey and awakening.

1. Reflect & aim

Typically when we begin to wake up, it's because we're at a point in our lives when we're ready for change. You may be tired of drama, or people pleasing, or being broke, or attracting partners who aren't right for you, etc. 

Whatever it is, it's acting somewhat like a catalyst for you. It's likely some form of pattern you've been entangled with your whole life in some way or another and you're over it. For me, it was hitting financial rock bottom that began my quest for knowledge. My lack mindset affected me in more ways than just financial, but at the time I only recognized it by my cash flow.

Learning about the law of attraction is what (unknowingly to me) started it all. I learned how to use what wasn't going right in my life to help me manifest what I did want to experience. 

Think about where you are currently and start feeling into the direction you want to start moving in. This helps so much with tapping into your inner guidance. Since everything is FOR you, you can begin to see that even the contrast of where you are currently is there to push you towards its opposite. 

Use the following journal prompts to help you feel into the direction that's most desirable to you currently:

• How I'm currently feeling about life
• What's happening that I don't enjoy
• How I want to start feeling
• What I want to start experiencing 

2. Follow the crumb trail

Starting where you are now–begin to follow the crumbs. There may be a topic you want to learn more about, or a podcast that's intriguing you. Whatever it is, allow yourself to freely consume it without worrying if it's the "right" place you should be or not.

Whatever is lighting you up with interest and intrigue is where you should be.

You can't learn ALL THE THINGS in one lifetime, nor do you need to. I began studying astrology four years ago and one thing I've learned is that we are all learning different things, not just from birth but yearly we are going through different learning cycles. 

This tells me that you are being drawn to certain things all the time that match with your higher intention from a soul level. That's why no one's journey can look the same because we're all playing Marco Polo with our souls and being called in different directions. 

Don't stress yourself out worrying that you need to learn all there is to know spiritually. You already KNOW all of it anyway on a soul level. You're here to experience, explore and expand from the vantage point of this present personality that you currently know as yourself. 

Begin to trust your excitement and interest. It is always connected to a pulling from your higher self. Start with what you find yourself most interested in learning and then keep following that pattern. 

My journey has loosely followed this trail: law of attraction, self-care , shadow work , divination , astrology, self-healing , reincarnation, meditation, and most recently I've been learning about dreams and astral traveling.

3. My favorite resources for learning

When you're driving, cleaning, cooking, exercising or showering, you can easily devour knowledge about subjects that fascinate you. My favorite way to consume information is from audible resources. You can find information on pretty much any subject with the following sites. Here are my favorite ones:

• Youtube 
• Udemy  

If you're looking for a good podcast, whether you've been studying spiritual concepts for a long time or are just beginning, I highly recommend the podcast Spiritual Tune-Ups with Mike Dooley. He is awesome and explains so many spiritual truths in such a beautiful way.

Some of my favorite spiritual apps are:

• TimePassages (astrology)
• Audible (audio books, I highly recommend the membership )
• Beatfulness (crazy good binaural beats for meditation but currently only available on Apple)
• Udemy (affordable courses)
• Gaia  (like Netflix but with spiritual content)

I'm also a huge book lover. I've written a few articles on my favorites which you can find here:

• 5 Books That Will Trip You Out & Expand Your Mind
• Best Meditation Books for a Daily Self-Care Routine
• The Best Law of Attraction Books
• The Best Spiritual Books That Will Change Your Life  

There are many resources for learning. Create a folder on your phone for your spiritual apps and keep it in the front so you remember to utilize them. I find the most helpful benefit of this is actually just keeping your mindset and vibration elevated, because you're constantly being reminded of your spiritual nature.

4. Get curious & take a higher perspective

One of the best ways to understand spiritual concepts is by practicing becoming a witness and observer of life. Rather than choosing to experience knee-jerk reactions all the time, try to step back and see everything from a higher perspective.

Some spiritual truths I have discovered along my journey are the following:

• The universe is based in love; anything else is confusion 
• There are no victims or mistakes; every experience holds purpose behind the scenes

With these two thoughts always in the back of my mind, I observe my life and notice how much lighter things feel. If I feel fear or anger, I can investigate from a place of curiosity as opposed to feeling like a victim, or like something is out to get me. 

I know this is a tough concept for a lot of people because from the human perspective, it feels like blaming ourselves or others. I see it like a stage play; we play out certain scenarios because we know it's just acting and when the curtain falls, we're all friends who continue on in our higher awareness of who we really are.

Can you see how you would want to play out different experiences in each lifetime for the expansion and awareness it would bring you? How others would also be doing the same, no matter how it looks here from our limited perspective? Some events for personal evolution, others for our collective consciousness. 

Start practicing coming out of the limited human perspective and ponder from a higher vantage point. What are the positives that come out of hard experiences? What could be the invitation or nugget of wisdom? If everything is love, where are you resisting or attaching?

"In this universe, there is no such thing as a mistake. There is also no such thing as punishment. What this means, is that everything that happens to you is not an accident, and everything that happens to you has come to benefit you in some way. The key is to deliberately look through ego's illusion for that benefit." - Teal Scott

This is not saying that we allow for monstrosities to occur right under our noses. But it is saying that there is always order, and that very order flows from love. Your physical experience is an illusion of your own making for the purpose of expansion. There are no victims, no random diagnoses or accidents, no mistakes. 

Start to look deeper and longer. Where are you being called to investigate in your life? In your beliefs? Wherever you hold resistance is exactly where you intended to dig in on a soul level. Don't be afraid to do so.

Another spiritual truth I know without doubt, is that you are so much more incredible than you likely believe yourself to be. The more you uncover the truth of this, the more you uncover all there is to know about reality and the universe itself. 

I hope you enjoyed this article and found something to take away with you.  To receive free spiritual insights & new articles, sign up for the  Dwell in Magic Weekly Digest .

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About Jessica Dimas

Jessica is the founder of the site Dwell in Magic , where she shares how to practically apply everyday self-care for a more magical, joy-filled life. Her writing has been featured on Today, HuffPost, Scary Mommy, Redbook Magazine, Motherly, and many more. She is passionate about metaphysical studies, transformation and personal growth.

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March 22, 2022 at 11:08 pm

I really enjoy your posts. Thank you for sharing.

May 16, 2022 at 1:31 am

I love your posts! Big fan ❤️

Jessica Dimas

July 09, 2022 at 1:34 pm

Thank you so much Laura!

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What Happens on a Spiritual Journey? 5 Stages You Will Experience

Going on a spiritual journey can be exciting, but it can also be an overwhelming experience. Many unexpected things can happen on a spiritual journey, and it can be a completely different experience from person to person. So, what happens on a spiritual journey?

Things to Know:

• A spiritual journey is a deeply personal and individual experience. ✓
• There are five stages: Soul Searching, Awakening, Facing Your Fears, Rebirth, and Applying Your Wisdom. However, not everyone will experience all these stages. ✓
• When embarking on a spiritual journey, it’s important to be cautious of ‘greedy gurus’ who may try to take advantage of your vulnerability. ✓

Table of Contents

What Is a Spiritual Journey?

A spiritual journey is a personal exploration of self and life. It’s embarked upon for personal growth, inner peace, and self-understanding . This journey can lead to self-discovery or answers to life’s profound questions. It often culminates in a deeper self-awareness or a spiritual awakening, recognizing the interconnectedness of all life.

5 Stages You’ll Experience on a Spiritual Journey

Stage 1 – soul searching.

The first stage of a spiritual journey is soul searching, which is when you decide whether to embark on this journey or not. This stage is often met with a lot of confusion and consideration. You begin your inward search and ask questions like:

• “Who am I?”
• “What am I here on Earth to do?”
• “What is the purpose of Life?”

As you start to seek answers to your questions, your thoughts and actions will likely change too.

Beneficial Practices for Stage 1: Trust me, journaling is a game-changer during the soul-searching stage. Pouring your thoughts, feelings, and questions onto paper can bring so much clarity. And don’t underestimate the power of nature and quiet reflection – they’re your allies in this journey. I can’t stress enough how much daily reflection has cleared my mind during my own soul-searching stage.

Stage 2 – Awakening

The second stage of a spiritual journey is the awakening stage. Now is the time when you’ll begin to see the world differently, and many once confusing things will now make sense to you. You’ll become more self-aware and start to see things through a spiritual lens.

This stage is often compared to waking up from a dream and seeing the world around you more clearly. You can now break down your life experiences into different levels of understanding and interpretation.

At this point, you may find yourself drifting away from friends , hobbies, and other interests that don’t fit into your new spiritual beliefs. If this happens, don’t worry because you will find new like-minded people and interests on your new journey.

Beneficial Practices for Stage 2: This is where mindfulness practices really shine. Meditation, yoga, breathwork – they’re all going to help you cultivate a deeper awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Meditation, in part

Stage 3 – Facing your fears

The third stage of a spiritual journey is all about facing your fears and seeing the good, bad, dark, and light. During this stage, you will find that you can let go of things that were holding you back.

You need to be strong and have faith in yourself because you will go through a lot at this stage, but it will all be worth it when you reach the end of your transformation.

Beneficial Practices for Stage 3: Brace yourself – this stage is all about confronting and releasing old fears and limiting beliefs. Therapeutic practices, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or trauma-informed yoga, can be a lifeline. And don’t forget about journaling – it’s been a crucial tool for me to understand and face my fears.

Stage 4 – Rebirth

The fourth stage of a spiritual journey is rebirth, and this is when you will start to become who you were destined to be. You will find that you are more confident, positive, and ready to take on the world. You’ll want to start living your life with a newfound purpose and direction.

The rebirth stage can also bring new, like-minded people into your life. I think this is one of the most positive stages of the spiritual journey because it brings happiness and contentment into your life.

Beneficial Practices for Stage 4: This is your time to shine! Engage in practices that nurture your sense of self and your connection with the world. Spend time in nature, get creative, practice self-care. Nurturing my body through healthy eating and regular exercise has been a game-changer in my own rebirth stage.

Stage 5 – Applying your wisdom

The final stage of a spiritual journey is applying the new wisdom you have gained to your everyday life. This stage is when everything falls into place, and you realize that everything in life happens for a reason and things never stay the same forever.

You will find that you can see the bigger picture and know that each experience is helping you become who you were always meant to be.

Beneficial Practices for Stage 5: This is the grand finale of your spiritual journey – applying your newfound wisdom to your everyday life. Mindful living, conscious decision-making, teaching, and guiding others – it’s all part of the journey. Sharing my experiences and insights with others has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey.

Final thoughts

Starting on a spiritual journey is exciting and new, and you will learn a lot from it. Having a clear understanding of what you hope to get out of it and what your spiritual journey means to you will help keep you on the right path. Integrate what you have learned into your day-to-day life to make changes that will move your life forward. Remember, spirituality is a life-long journey, so make sure you enjoy it.

• https://www.wikihow.com/Go-on-a-Spiritual-Journey
• https://lonerwolf.com/spiritual-journey/
• https://chopra.com/articles/the-7-stages-of-spiritual-development

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10 Best Books On Spirituality That Will Evolve Your Consciousness

My spiritual journey began with a chance encounter with the book Conversations With God Book 1.

Ever since, I’ve had a high regard for books on spirituality; and as Francis Bacon aptly put; “Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.”

These ten books on spirituality are those you should devour and take your time to truly digest, and internalize the teachings. They are for spiritual beginners, as well as people further along on their spiritual journey.

1. Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1

If you were to read only one spirituality book on this list, then let it be Conversations With God Book 1. Authored by Neale Donald Walsch, this work is truly life-changing.

The author has a different take on what God is, and the work is easy to follow and understand the subject.

The book tackles common questions, from money, to love, to why the world is the way it is. It also offers answers on how you can live a better and more fulfilling life.

2. The Power of Now

Authored by Eckhart Tolle (of course Eckhart had to be on this list), the book recognizes how we are preoccupied with the future, or burdened by the past and urges us to come back to the present moment.

It also teaches us to go beyond the mind-consciousness to the true self; for letting go of the mental insanity is the first step to enlightenment. It is also great for people on the hunt for a self-help book that will alleviate depression and anxiety.

3. A New Earth

“Every Ego wants to be special. If it can’t be special by being superior to others, it’s especially happy with being miserable.” Eckhart Tolle.

A New Earth is another of Tolle’s work but one that revolves around letting go of your ego. It gained popularity thanks in part to being recommended by Oprah, A New Earth is a must read if you wish to reduce your inner & outer conflict.

4. The 40 Rules of Love

The 40 Rules of Love is not as famous as our other top picks, but it’s just as good as any of the other books on spirituality.

It is more of a fictional work, albeit with a lot of spiritual teachings.

It is an excellent work on Love, with a beautiful story, “Fantabulous” quotes, and is a valuable educational experience.

5. The Untethered Soul

Written by Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul gives a perfect example of how we are lost in a dreamlike state.

It is one of the best books on spirituality, if you want to understand how your mind runs your life and what you can do to get out of that illusion and get to the seat of the soul; to consciousness.

6. The Secret

The Secret focuses on the law of attraction and teaches us how we can use it in our day to day lives.

One takeaway from the book is that you can have virtually anything you focus your energy on.

Therefore, be sure to focus on whatever you desire and not what you don’t want.

7. The Tao Te Ching

The Tao Te Ching is a 4 th Century  B.C. work by the founder of Taoism, Lao Tzu , and offers insights on duality, balance, compassion, etc; lessons that are still applicable today. As far as classics are concerned, it takes the cake.

The book seeks harmony and will free you from the caustic effects of greed, desire, and judgmental thinking. The Tao Te Ching is both a quick read and a long study, you will gain much from both.

8. The Celestine Prophecy

If you can get over the fact that it is not well-written, you will appreciate the wealth of ideas in The Celestine Prophecy.

Unlike, The Power of Now, it encourages you to look at yourself both in the present and the Future, while also offering insights on how to take a more positive and active approach.

If you like spiritual books with a tad of fiction, then check out The Celestine Prophecy.

9. The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success

Deepak Chopra is renowned for his ability to take Vedic teachings and present them to a western audience.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success happens to be one of his best works and emphasizes the importance of success.

The laws themselves aren’t groundbreaking but rather, familiar, but that is precisely what makes it appealing; the fact that they are easy to relate to.

10. The Alchemist

The Alchemist is more than a book and has taken on a life of its own, inspiring movements across the globe.

Santiago’s Journey, as he pursues his legend, is one most of us can relate to, and the book shows how the universe conspires to help you achieve your dreams.

It is well written with tons of spiritual lessons to absorb, no wonder it’s gained such a cult following.

It is only when the student is ready that the master appears.

So if you have found your path to this list, welcome, and we hope that you have found what you are looking for. If you wish to recommend any books on spirituality, please share with us in the comments below and may joy and peace find you every minute of every day.

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The Universe talks to me, and I'd be a fool not to listen!

Why The Spiritual Path Is So Hard & 5 Ways To Simplify The Journey

January 9, 2021

At the receiving end, most of the emails I get from spiritual seekers around the world are quite anxious and sometimes, even morbid. I’ve had people tell me that they are so helpless, they feel like ending their life. This is neither pleasant to read, nor in the scope of my work as a spiritual life coach. However, I understand why the spiritual path is so hard and I’ve been trying to explain it to anyone who asks.

So, I decided to create this article as a gateway and in-depth explanation of what makes the journey so complex. It’s my attempt to simplify this path for you, in hopes that you are uplifted and can walk in your true power. NOT remain stuck or feel hopeless any longer!

That said, let’s talk about some of the reasons that make this spiritual journey so complicated in the first place, and how you can make the ride smoother.

Why The Spiritual Path Is So Hard

Most people who enter the journey resist what they discover.

We’ve been raised in a world of science and proof, and we don’t want to get sucked into the taboos of how the spiritual realm works. We don’t want to be deemed insane. But in the process, we’ve moved away from the subtle truths.

Like me, most spiritual seekers have a highly active logical mind which wants things to make sense before they can believe them.

And everything they read about or hear about in spirituality seems to go against everything they’ve learned so far. So, they resist.

First things first. That’s just not how things work around here. The spiritual path becomes complicated when we approach it from the logical mind. Because the mind is limited to the human body, it has limitations in its ability to perceive something subtler than itself (ie. the soul sitting underneath all the layers of the body and mind).

This resistance is understandable, though can actually sabotage our spiritual growth .

But think of this angle – the curriculum at school, or even throughout college fails to answer some fundamental questions about life (and death). Like, – what happens to us when we die? – have we met all these people before? – who decided that things would be this way for us? – what is the actual purpose of life, which we can collectively strive for without running a rat race for money and finite pleasures?

So for most people, facing these questions and their answers after so many decades of not exploring them at all becomes uncomfortable.

How ironic is that? We find it weird being ourselves. Our own nature doesn’t seem familiar! Such is the strength of the amnesia that comes from reincarnating .

Don’t worry though, this weirdness, along with all your other strange experiences will eventually make sense. Let’s talk about what you can do to come to terms with the spiritual truth in a more rapid way.

5 Ways to Make More Sense of Your Spiritual Journey

On a high level, let’s just say that so far, our knowledge about life has been half-baked. And that going forward, we will need a lot of unlearning to come to terms with what is REALLY happening.

Now let’s explore the different ways you can simplify this journey for yourself.

#1 – Build your spiritual foundation.

I always say this, and I’ll emphasize this again – Faith doesn’t come overnight. You can’t build a connection with the Universe within just one hour of solid meditation or writing a few journaling prompts here and there.

It takes time. Just like it does with any genuine relationship. Oneness with the Universe must be cultivated through repetition and ritual (not in the cliche sense, though). Only when we’ve done something long enough will it become our nature.

Sure, things can kick off instantaneously and you may feel like you’re onto something special (which you are). But to truly get the ins and outs of the cosmic way, you need to spend time building a spiritual foundation for yourself.

I’ve made this mistake over and over again, thinking I don’t need to meditate or sit down in prayer. All, soon to realize that the divine connection is weakening again and I’m not feeling as deeply spiritual as I used to be.

I have people tell me how spiritual they are, how many hours they meditate every day, how yoga or journaling helps them, and things along that nature. But when adversity hits them, their foundation comes crashing down, and their faith shatters.

They end up asking what the whole point was for them to invest their time in all these practices if they were still meant to undergo pain.

The truth is, your connection with the Universe will only deepen with direct experience and dialogue. You will not be able to go far in the journey until you understand the workings of the Universe at a deeper level.

At a human level, our pain and this reality seem unfair. And as long as we view it from that lens, it will always be unjust.

In fact, I’ve been writing about all this for years, and yet it felt like I just started my own journey, when I finally sat down and talked to the Universe. I’ve shared a little bit more about what happened in this short video.

So then, the question arises, how do you build this foundation of faith?

You learn to sit with the mind. I call it the ego mind .

It’s not your enemy, contrary to popular belief. As you learn to acknowledge and investigate your own doubts, you will move from creating more problems in your head, to actually looking for solutions. Here are some ways that could happen to you.

• Sometimes, the solutions will come to you in the form of amazing research and scientific proof that you stumble upon, that can back your faith through logic.
• At other times, you will learn to spot the different forms of divine guidance in your surroundings and be affirmed within each moment, when your faith wavers.
• Consciously, you can illuminate the protective ego-mind through spiritual education. No matter what practice or method you follow, let the path of knowledge, called jnana yoga in Eastern scriptures, be your guide through the mind of darkness and clouded confusion, to the mind of an enlightened being. Let’s explore more of this illumination in the next point.

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#2 – Understand the trajectory of this path.

To help ease the resistance and protection of the ego mind, remove the elements of unfamiliarity and uncertainty from your path. By that I mean, understand what happens next.

Just like you don’t dive into the deep end of the pool without learning how to swim first (or with a float), you will need some kind of preparation and guidance to tell you what’s coming ahead.

When the mind knows what to expect, it is no longer as agitated. You’re able to better prepare for what lies ahead.

Of course, I also often talk about the importance of learning to be comfortable in the unknown and learning to surrender . But if that seems too difficult for you right now, focus on preparation.

The simplest thing you can do right off the bat, to mentally prepare for this path is to understand the different stages and symptoms of a spiritual awakening .

Disclaimer.

In preparation, I don’t advocate spending your time getting too many psychic readings done. There’s a fine line between being prepared and being paranoid. This is especially true for people who want to become healers or coaches in this space and keep seeking external validation or some kind of sign that this is the right career choice for them.

Take back your power on this path, and allow yourself to tread it as softly or as intensely as you’d like to. Eventually, you will build the faith that it takes to be comfortable in the ‘unknown’. Till then, learn to explore things without being focused on the perfect outcome, or worrying that you’re wasting time.

Everything is helpful in your soul’s expansion, so let this inner curiosity take your awakening deeper.

#3 – Find like-minded people.

Another reason that the spiritual path is so hard, is because we try to do it alone. Or, we just don’t know how to find the right people to support us.

This is the reason why I send monthly newsletters and share my experiences so extensively across all different platforms. I want more and more people to open up about spirituality, and know that there’s somebody out there who gets “it”.

In the same fashion, don’t be shy to share your truth with the world. You will be surprised how many people around you are also beginning to “wake up” and walk beside you.

I know how hard it can be, if you try to do this all alone, or if you keep believing that people will find you crazy. The truth is, even though our loved ones might not “get it”, they do NOT want to see us suffer.

I’ve deeply addressed many of the challenges around the spiritual journey, and how you can overcome them, in my latest book, called Homecoming – A Spiritual Guide for the Awakened the Awaking .

You can either read it on Kindle (available worldwide) or download a PDF version here .

Another tip to help you find your tribe is to connect with people in groups across different social media. There are so many Quora spaces, Reddit forums, and Facebook groups that revolve around spirituality. You can ask questions, and see what others are asking. If you’d like to, you can join our intimate MSS Tribe, where we have live monthly group coaching calls, accountability through email support, and access to hundreds of exclusive resources sprinkled across the blog.

#4 – Ask for help.

Let’s say, you need to get from point A to B in the shortest amount of time. Would you try to run to your destination, or would you rather use a vehicle like a motorcycle or a car?

Such is the concept of growth. The ego-mind has us believing that we should have all the answers and that it’s shameful to ask for help. But really, if you don’t want to delay the process and experience more frustration or burnout, start learning to ask for help. Spirituality doesn’t have to be about martyrdom or glorifying one’s suffering.

I often share stories about how I ask for parking when I’m entering a busy lot, or how I ask for divine intervention when a new jar fails to open. You’d think that such requests are futile, but the universe isn’t judging us. We are judging ourselves for not being able to do something.

Start asking the Universe for help. Start asking for answers and guidance. And let the Universe show up for you.

The support can come from any direction. Don’t worry about that.

It could be from a stranger, or from a random article you read online. It could be a nudge to get in touch with a long-lost friend or to get mentored .

Once you receive that help, do take a moment to acknowledge it, instead of brushing it off as a coincidence.

It’s not like the Universe needs our gratitude, but WE do. We need it, so we can retune the mind to trust that the divine forces are looking after us and that every time we see evidence, our faith strengthens.

#5 – Find a spiritual path and stick to it.

I’ve hopped from book to book, teacher to teacher for years, only to discover one thing. They all say the same thing. Well, at least the crux of it.

Every solid spiritual practice has one end goal, and many milestones along the way. The end goal is, of course, enlightenment . The milestones however vary. Such as being more balanced, or gaining more awareness of one’s energy system.

So after reading hundreds of books, you identify the trend and gather a sense of what you should be doing.

The only question remains – are you doing it?

It doesn’t matter what spiritual idea you read about. Until you don’t take time to practice and really digest the teachings, you will continue to feel stuck.

Another big reason why the spiritual path is so hard is that we are subconsciously waiting for a miracle healing. Many of us experience a certain ‘spiritual high’ in the initial stages of the journey, which I like to consider beginner’s luck.

We end up spending years just trying to recreate that experience! Without realizing that everything else subtly happening to us is just as good for us, as that noticeably profound moment.

So, find a practice and stick to it. I like to call this process of spiritual assimilation, internalization .

Give yourself the permission to slow down, and have a first-hand experience of all the different advice you’re getting. Try something out for a few weeks, and see if it helps you. If not, slowly make your way into a different modality.

At this point, it’s important that not everything will resonate with everyone. So you will need to create your own mix of spiritual tools that work for you.

And if you feel confused about which spiritual path to follow, an idea is to read Eric Weiner’s Man Seeks God . The book is a great memoir exploring all the major spiritual practices out there, from Shamanism to Hinduism, Sufism to Buddhism, and many more. Of course, don’t shop around too long, but do explore and walk more sincerely on a path that helps you feel more aligned within.

Concluding Thoughts

Once you understand the many ways in which you are unknowingly becoming your own enemy, it makes a lot of sense why the spiritual path is so hard for you to walk. And then, you begin to understand a broad sense of direction. Things begin to make more sense, and you can experience more ease.

Until all that doesn’t happen for you (and I reassure you it will), just keep going. Let the Universe show up for you and prove that it has your back!

Vasundhra is the Founder & Writer of My Spiritual Shenanigans . After seeing 11:11 on the clock one fateful night, her life turned around. Ever since, she has been blending modern psychology and ancient spirituality, to help herself and people around the world elevate the quality of their lives.

Ready to take your healing deeper? Join her for monthly community workshops and/or for personalized 1:1 coaching.

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November 3, 2022 at 2:59 am

Amazing text thank you so much 😊🙏. I feel like im stuck on my path. Because everything in this world is about money. Even in spirituality, and i feel like meditate for money is waste of time

November 3, 2022 at 12:57 pm

Hi Petar, I can relate to the lack of depth you may be experiencing, which makes this journey feel tainted. I’d love to chat more with you and see if there are any resources I can recommend to help you get out of the stuckness. Please feel free to send me a message using the contact form and we can setup time to connect. Happy healing!

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• Everything But the Kitchen Sink
• The Interview Place

Ask me about my Spiritual Journey

• Thread starter Samael_Khan
• Start date Jan 9, 2024
• Tags journey spirituality

Samael_Khan

Goosebender.

• Jan 9, 2024

Hi guys, I have been on and off RF for a while so think I should reintroduce myself via interrogation. My spiritual background: I was raised Catholic. I defected after my first Holy Communion. I became an atheist. I questioned my stance after watching Total Onslaught by Walter Veith. I researched religions to find truth. I became convinced that the Jehovah's Witnesses had the truth. I was baptised as a Jehovahs Witness at 22. I defected 7 years later via disassociation. I avoided religion for about 3 years. I then gradually started my new religious journey. I am currently seeking spiritual experiences, and am gradually being drawn to exploring Hinduism and Taoism. Ask me anything about my journey. I am confident that you guys will help me self reflect and clarify and critique my thoughts and views.  

Samael_Khan said: Hi guys, I have been on and off RF for a while so think I should reintroduce myself via interrogation. My spiritual background: I was raised Catholic. I defected after my first Holy Communion. I became an atheist. I questioned my stance after watching Total Onslaught by Walter Veith. I researched religions to find truth. I became convinced that the Jehovah's Witnesses had the truth. I was baptised as a Jehovahs Witness at 22. I defected 7 years later via disassociation. I avoided religion for about 3 years. I then gradually started my new religious journey. I am currently seeking spiritual experiences, and am gradually being drawn to exploring Hinduism and Taoism. Ask me anything about my journey. I am confident that you guys will help me self reflect and clarify and critique my thoughts and views. Click to expand...

Bthoth said: Evolving with knowledge. As you learn, you grow with your importance of what is true has been developing. Cudos! Knowledge is evolving and mankind is learning too. Makes sense to learn and maintain the capability of developing. Click to expand...

Secret Chief

Nirvana is samsara.

Samael_Khan said: Hinduism and Taoism Click to expand...

Samael_Khan said: Thanks! I totally agree with you here. When I was younger i claimed knowledge of knowing absolute truth out of arrogance. Now I am wiser and realise that i am too limited in my perception to know such a thing. All I can do is be a seeker and constantly evolve. Click to expand...

Vinayaka said: Now that's quite the mess you have to entangle there. What caught your attention about Hinduism and Taoism? Click to expand...

Secret Chief said: Where's you at with these then? Click to expand...

Bthoth said: That final understanding, is evidence of learning by itself. The more a person learns the greater humility of how little 'we' actually know. solid. Click to expand...

This Is Water

Samael_Khan said: Thanks. And it is quite a humbling revelation. Especially for someone like me who is so ego centric. Click to expand...

Samael_Khan said: dense Click to expand...

Left Coast said: How do your friends and family feel about your spiritual journey? Are they still Catholic? Click to expand...

Bthoth said: Exactly. Each of us have an ego a byproduct of self preservation and having choice (free will). When removing the 'self' as the priority of determining what is true, then the humility of how little we know stands out. Learning 'how it works' or 'the way' (tao) becomes the natural path because then a person never has to know it all. Click to expand...

Samael_Khan said: One of my close friends played a key role in questioning my beliefs which helped me leave the JWs. He is a Message believer and always jokes that instead of converting me to true christianity he made me an atheist. But we still talk about the bible in good faith and are great friends. I havent spoken to him much about Hinduism or Taoism. Click to expand...

Secret Chief said: or perhaps sense Click to expand...

Left Coast said: Thank you for sharing! What is a Message believer? I've never heard of that. Some kind of Christian I'm assuming? Click to expand...

Samael_Khan said: Exactly. And Christianity has always made me aware of my ego. But the. Replaced ut with group ego. Hinduism and Taoism actually give me tools to overcome it which I am greatful for. For me following the Tao makes perfect sense. Click to expand...

Bthoth said: Many religious opinion makers will seek a flaw in a person whereas it appears that you are trying to learn beyond the biased. Click to expand...

Samael_Khan said: I am just being honest thats all. Another fundamental reality I have learnt is that nothing is black and white. Nuance pervades everything. There is good in bad and bad in good, and even the duality of good and evil is laziness on the part of humans to serve our own agenda. Click to expand...

Introduction

This being the Internet where I can only count on a few moments of your time, the green texts below are the most important points of my spiritual journey. You can always scroll back for the more complete story.

My name is Maurice Loiselle, and I am 72 years old. I started my spiritual journey as a committed Catholic for 46 years, including 19 years as a priest, who suddenly found himself no longer believing in the Christian God and moving onto a different spiritual path. I share this brief autobiography before my impending death, emphasizing my spiritual journey in the hope that you may find one or more helpful elements as you walk the path of your own spiritual journey, even if yours is very different from mine. You are welcome to share your own spiritual journey in the blog on this website.

On November 27, 2015 my wife and I were in New York City, listening to the results of my biopsy. The verdict: I had stage four pancreatic cancer with metastasis to the liver. Chemotherapy might prolong my life, but there was no cure. My life expectancy was six months.

After we spent time processing the shock, I walked to Saint John the Baptist Church. During our weeklong stay in New York I had stopped inside several times during my walks to and from Central Park. On this day I sat down near the front and stared at the altar on which was the monstrance, the gold-colored vessel containing the bread which Catholics believe is the body of Christ. As I stared at the monstrance, I found myself repeating, “If there were ever a time when I want to believe you are here, it is now; but I don’t. I know I never will.” I had stopped several times at Saint John the Baptist Church because it reminded me so much of the church of my youth. Both are large, well-maintained churches that were established by French Canadian immigrants and their descendants.

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My Spiritual Journey

Posted by Hana Bowers | Apr 28, 2016 | 1GOD | 0 |

My journey in spiritual life is a huge part of who I am today. My journey has helped me understand how vast the Divine is, and how little I can truly understand.

When I was young, I was not sure who God was. But I definitely believed in something higher than myself. Upon going to church with my parents after Christmas every year, I was still confused and was looking for answers. Day dreaming, I would contemplate the idea of heaven and I would be afraid because the eternality was so immeasurable and challenging to grasp. I often wondered if this world was like a dream within a dream, and if I would someday wake up in a more heavenly place.

When I was 15 years old, I started doing silent meditation and breath observation. I read many books by Buddhist teachers and felt like I had entered into a new realm and had finally connected with myself. From this point onwards, I was always allured to the spirituality of the East. I continued practicing meditation as well as yoga for many years. I moved to Hawaii just to be introduced to different spiritual practices and be more deeply intertwined with a sense of spirit.

Hawaii is home to many spiritually minded people

In Hawaii I met many spiritually minded people. The island, the mountains and the sea of Hawaii too breathed spirituality. Every day felt like it was from another planet, and I dreamt of understanding that which was beyond my world. But I still felt like understanding more. One morning, I had a vision and a message that I had a “blue aura” and that I needed to move to Australia. Confused, I contemplated briefly this idea of moving to Australia and why I could have such a drastic vision. I had already planned on shifting to France for work, so I put the idea on the back burner.

I soon moved to France but before I left Hawaii, I became introduced to Sufi philosophy (or mystical Islam). Simultaneously I had been practicing yoga more rigorously and regularly. It was at this time that I felt a strong urge to continue in my search to discover the divine. In France, I felt very alone sometimes but I also felt a powerful shift on my journey.

It is stated in many spiritual texts notions analogous to, “seek, and you shall find”.

I felt an energetic pull to Australia at this time, and eventually moved to Melbourne to pursue my Masters degree. I realize now that this pursuit of a MA was not about academics or achievements, but was a way for me to come to Australia. At this time, I became introduced to Bhakti yoga, the ancient yoga tradition on India which focuses on perfecting loving devotional service to the Divine. Upon studying the philosophy deeper, it resonated with me at such a high frequency. I literally felt like the Vedic texts were being pulled out of my heart, my intellect and everything else about me and I found a high sense of resonance. My study of the Vedas made me understand God more and the interconnectedness of God.

We may all see and interpret God differently. I myself have viewed God differently. I have and still do refer to God by different names. We may have different funds of knowledge and come from different places. However, I feel that the God which we all have our own unique relationship with is the same. I do not differentiate between the God I connected with as a child and the God I am trying to understand more today. Alas for me, the idea of one God relates to how God is our best friend and will always be with us no matter what. It’s a principal of boundless love and devotion that is hard to explain intellectually, but can only be accessed through the heart.

About The Author

Hana Bowers

Hana has always been a spiritual seeker, lover of yoga and all things mystical. She has traveled to and lived in many foreign countries and has always been looking to understand God more through these new contexts. She currently resides in Melbourne, Australia working predominantly in the field of spiritual immersion tourism and developing her bhakti yoga practice.

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