Journey vs Realization
Awakening is not an instant realization where everything suddenly becomes perfect. It is a journey—one that unfolds in cycles rather than a linear progression. Some stages bring profound bliss, while others challenge us with deep introspection and emotional upheaval. Below is my personal experience navigating these stages, which may resonate with others walking a similar path.
1. The Initial Trigger – The Quiet Invitation
Many people expect an awakening to be a lightning-bolt moment of realization, but for me, it wasn’t sudden. Instead, it began with a request—an unknowing plea to the universe for wisdom and understanding. At first, I didn’t even acknowledge the shift. It was subtle, like pieces of information slowly coming into focus.
We all have odd moments in life that we write off as coincidence, but something was different this time. I started paying attention, and as I did, I began to see. Awareness wasn’t forced upon me—it was revealed gently, and I had to choose to follow it.
2. The Bliss Stage – The Joy of Knowing
This phase was exhilarating. Life made perfect sense, as if I had finally unlocked a hidden layer of reality. Information poured in effortlessly—synchronicities, insights, and intuitive thoughts arrived unfiltered. Meditation sessions were powerful, filled with loud and detailed impressions, guiding me toward new ideas and knowledge to explore.
There was a deep happiness in discovering this mindset, an overwhelming feeling of connection and excitement. It was a period of discovery, where everything felt alive, and understanding came with ease. However, bliss does not last forever, and soon, the deeper layers of awakening revealed themselves.
3. The Dark Night of the Soul – The Weight of Awareness
Disillusionment began when the information I had gained started to alter my interactions with life. I could no longer see things as I once had. The world was both more beautiful and more painful at the same time. I became deeply empathetic toward situations I might have previously ignored.
But with this new awareness came loneliness. It felt as if my connection to a higher power had been severed. The insights, which once flowed freely, suddenly became quiet. I questioned whether my experience had been real or just a fleeting emotional state.
The first dark night was the most intense, but I have noticed it returns in smaller cycles. It no longer shakes me as it once did, but it serves as a reminder that awakening is a continuous process, not a final destination.
4. Integration & Shadow Work – Refining Awareness
This stage became my toolkit, helping me piece together insights without as much struggle. I learned to let go of information, beliefs, and conditioning that no longer served me. Shadow work forced me to confront the deepest parts of myself—the illusions, fears, and attachments I hadn’t previously questioned.
But this phase never truly ends. We are always growing, always refining our understanding. The process continues beyond this life. The work we do in each cycle prepares us for the next.
5. Finding Balance – Mastering the Flow
Balance was one of the hardest lessons to grasp—not because it was complex, but because I misunderstood it. Life is not inherently good or bad; it simply is. Everything is a matter of perspective.
The Tao Te Ching and The Kybalion were instrumental in shifting my mindset. They helped me embrace the idea that suffering and joy are not opposites—they are two expressions of the same force. Understanding this allowed me to navigate pain and pleasure with more acceptance, knowing both serve their purpose.
Balance is not about eliminating struggle; it is about moving with the currents rather than resisting them.
6. Purpose & Service – The Evolving Path
For the longest time, I struggled with understanding my purpose. I now realize that purpose is not a singular, fixed destination—it evolves as we grow.
At this stage, I feel drawn to share my insights with others who are also seeking understanding. Not to lead, but to offer perspective to those on their own path. My purpose today may not be my purpose tomorrow, and that’s okay. Awakening is a living, breathing process.
Awakening is a Cycle, Not a Destination
One of the greatest realizations I’ve had is that these stages are not rigid steps. They cycle and repeat, sometimes subtly, sometimes intensely. Each phase is a teacher, preparing us for deeper levels of awareness.
To anyone walking this path—know that these experiences are normal. Doubt, bliss, loss, insight, struggle, and peace are all part of the process. Awakening is not about escaping the cycles but learning to move with them.
We are always learning. Always expanding. Always becoming.