Many believe a powerful spiritual experience means they’ve reached enlightenment or are on their way to profound spiritual transformation. However, while spiritual experiences and awakenings can be profoundly meaningful, they are not the same. Here are 13 ways to distinguish between a spiritual experience and a true spiritual awakening.
1. A Moment vs. A Journey
A spiritual experience is often a brief, spontaneous event. It might be triggered by something beautiful, like a sunset or a deep meditation, and can feel like a breakthrough. However, a true spiritual awakening is an ongoing process. It’s not just about one moment of insight but rather a continuous journey of self-discovery, where your understanding of yourself and the world keeps evolving. A spiritual experience might feel like touching the surface of something profound, while an awakening is diving into the depths and learning to swim.
2. Temporary Insight vs. Lasting Change
You might suddenly realize something during meditation or after a deep conversation, only for it to fade as everyday life takes over. This is the hallmark of a spiritual experience—it’s insightful but temporary. A true spiritual awakening, however, brings lasting changes that ripple through every part of your life. Your relationships, goals, and priorities might shift permanently, reflecting a new awareness that you can’t “un-know.”
3. Emotional High vs. Inner Peace
A spiritual experience can bring a rush of joy, love, or connection, creating an emotional high. These moments are exhilarating, but, like any high, they don’t last. In contrast, a spiritual awakening brings inner peace—a deep, enduring calm that isn’t dependent on external circumstances. This peace remains, even during tough times, providing a steady foundation of serenity.
4. Seeking vs. Surrendering
Spiritual experiences often involve a sense of searching or striving—you’re looking for answers or meaning. However, spiritual awakening involves a shift from seeking to surrendering. You stop chasing answers or trying to control outcomes, instead trusting that everything is unfolding as it should. Surrendering doesn’t mean giving up; it means letting go of the need for control and allowing life to flow naturally.
5. External Trigger vs. Internal Shift
A spiritual experience is often triggered by something external, like nature, art, or a significant life event. These moments open a doorway to a brief encounter with the divine. On the other hand, a spiritual awakening is an internal transformation. It doesn’t rely on external triggers—it arises quietly from within, changing how you see the world from the inside out.
6. Momentary Clarity vs. Deep Understanding
A spiritual experience might bring a flash of clarity, where everything makes sense for a brief moment. However, this clarity often fades. A spiritual awakening, on the other hand, deepens into a lasting understanding. It’s about accepting the mysteries of life rather than needing answers to every question. This wisdom comes from within, not from intellectual explanations.
7. Excitement vs. Groundedness
Spiritual experiences can feel exciting, like a rush of energy or joy. But these highs are temporary. A spiritual awakening brings a sense of groundedness, a steady and solid feeling of being rooted. You may not experience the same highs, but the lows won’t shake you either. Awakening leads to quiet confidence and stability that stays with you.
8. Separation vs. Oneness
In a spiritual experience, you may feel connected to something greater than yourself, but there’s often still a sense of separation. You feel like “you” are experiencing “it”—whether “it” is the universe, God, or a higher power. In a spiritual awakening, this separation dissolves. You realize that you are not separate from the universe but are part of it. The feeling of oneness replaces the duality of “self” and “other.”
9. Mind vs. Soul
A spiritual experience can stimulate the mind or emotions, sparking deep thoughts or feelings of awe. However, a spiritual awakening touches the soul in a way that transcends thought and emotion. It transforms you at your core, integrating insights into your soul’s path rather than just leaving them as memories or ideas.
10. Event vs. Lifestyle
A spiritual experience is often a single, memorable event that stands out on your timeline. In contrast, a spiritual awakening isn’t an event but a way of life. It changes how you see everything—your relationships, work, and daily interactions. It becomes the lens through which you view the world, coloring every moment with new depth.
11. Epiphany vs. Embodiment
Epiphanies from spiritual experiences can feel like sudden lightning bolts of insight, illuminating a question or problem. However, they can remain intellectual. In a spiritual awakening, the knowledge becomes embodied—you don’t just know something; you live it. This embodied wisdom shows in your actions, how you interact with others, and the energy you bring into the world.
12. Short-Lived Bliss vs. Lifelong Fulfillment
The bliss of a spiritual experience can feel overwhelming, but it’s also fleeting. You might feel euphoric for a while, but eventually, it fades. A spiritual awakening, however, offers lasting fulfillment. It’s not about chasing happiness but finding a deeper sense of contentment that doesn’t depend on external circumstances.
13. Individual vs. Collective Growth
A spiritual experience is often personal, something that shifts your individual perspective. However, a spiritual awakening goes beyond the self. It expands your sense of compassion and interconnectedness with all beings. Your growth becomes linked to the collective growth of humanity, and you may feel called to support others on their spiritual journeys.
