
The Shock of Spiritual Awakening Part 2: Healing Perspectives
Aug 08, 2025In part one of “The Shock of Spiritual Awakening: Honoring Our Creations,” we looked at the phenomena of spiritual awakening shock - a new idea, an expanded perception, or an unexpected event that acts as a catalyst for a sudden life change or spiritual transformation.
In this time of rapid change we see many signs of collective shock. We are all undergoing individual and societal transformation. And it can be very disorientating. One example is the proliferation of technology.
Each day our minds are hurriedly trying to make sense of it and adapt. Faster computers, more powerful cell phones, A.I., robots, virtual reality and newer products and services being introduced daily. These are literally changing the way in which we live, relate and experience reality.
It is as if we are now all living out scenarios from science fiction novels! What was once fantastic to imagine is now a mundane part of daily life. It’s amazing to consider that we can access almost anything we desire to know by just typing a few key words on an Internet search engine. Do they even make printed encyclopedias anymore?
The Paradox of Power
As a metaphysical man on a spiritual journey, you have probably noticed many contradictions on your path. The paradox is that even with more technology and control over the material world, there are many things that computers cannot help us with. There are still more things in life that are mysterious and beyond our control. Scientists can see several billions of light-years out with the Hubble telescope orbiting above our Earth, but can we plumb the spiritual and emotional depths of the human heart beating right within our very own bodies?
This contradiction of having and not having can apply to collecting spiritual, mystical or healing knowledge. We can have all the training, book knowledge and support, but when the shock of spiritual awakening hits, we can still be left quite vulnerable.
How can we experience wholeness when we encounter shock?
What perspectives support healing in this process?
1. Not Knowing Opens Infinity
Experts are good, helpful and necessary, but oddly enough, sometimes not knowing, not having a theory, authority, opinion or solution to shock is the best medicine for it. This is especially true when navigating your enlightenment journey.
We like control. We want to control our lives. We seek control of it, and ourselves, and all the aspects of it to get what we want. When shocks hit us, we come to realize that there is something bigger than the human mind.
There is a vast intelligence that guides us, directly or indirectly. Not knowing can open us up to the infinity of this intelligence in surprising ways. We learn things about ourselves. We can receive new insights when we surrender and become emptied out of our usual sense of self.
A Story of Unlimited Thinking
Some years ago two computer engineers were working on a project. The pair had started a company and were trying to solve a software problem that had appeared in their product line. When they found a solution by inventing an ingenious new device, they brought it to their manufacturer who could not believe they had solved the problem. “That’s impossible! We didn’t think it could be done!” they were told. The engineers had no concept if it was possible or not. They just opened themselves up. We can do the same. We can be shocked, let go of preconceived ideas, judgments or opinions, and be given our next steps, answers and healing.
When you are in shock, you are in fear; it is a tenuous, insecure place. Letting go of what you know can move you from fear to freedom. No one has it all figured it out. We are all in the same boat. Even the so-called experts have ups and downs. You don’t have to be an expert. You just need to be open and then a higher knowing will come.
2. Honesty Accelerates Integration
The single greatest block to personal and spiritual growth is denial. What we stuff down will eventually erupt back up. Seeing that the truth is helpful, is healing, is practical and is necessary creates constructive movement forward.
The gift of spiritual awakening shock is that it allows you to go deeper. It allows you to accelerate faster when you meet it with honesty. This is not always easy or comfortable. We may find out things about ourselves, others, or life in general that we do not like or want to avoid. As a result the psychic pain may be great or overwhelming.
A good thing to remember is that even in the midst of turmoil, love is present. It may not be the kind face of someone you love, it may not be a loyal pet, or a supportive group of friends, but there is always a loving presence as is mentioned in the Course in Miracles that can flow into you, and your life, when you create a space of honesty around yourself. The fragments of your being can reconnect, heal and integrate from the power of honesty.
3. Responsibility is Power
Many do not wish to take responsibility for themselves. We give power to the government – which is us – and then can feel threatened or critical of governmental decisions. We can give power to our past, future worries, or someone else that we decide made us do what we did. When we give responsibility to outside forces, we give away our power. When we take responsibility for our lives - our reality - who we are – we become empowered.
There is a tendency when shocked by new awareness to unduly blame others or to blame ourselves. There may be some truth in this. It is wise to acknowledge the facts of the situation. However, taking responsibility does not mean penalizing ourselves or others. It’s a chance to learn and grow and make wiser choices. Seeing that you have the power to choose how you respond to all situations – taking responsibility – can transmute awareness shock more smoothly.
4. Shock to Serenity
Just as your spiritual development didn’t happen overnight, there are no quick fixes to moving out of shock; it has to gently recede like an ocean wave after meeting the shore. Moment to moment we can feel it, be with it, learn from it, and in time it will all settle down.
There seems to be an Awareness Shock Cycle. Part one of the cycle is the Shock itself. We become aware that something is amiss and ask ourselves, “What is this? What’s happening to me?” This is quickly followed in milliseconds by a Reaction. It may be to fight the experience, initiate flight to quickly get away from the source of the shock, or even immobilization; everything stops, you stop, your freeze, you shut down your system.
Limbo typically follows. It’s a confusing netherworld where you agonize and perhaps float about, indecisive on what action to take to handle the shock. It can feel like walking endlessly on a treadmill, churning thoughts and emotions, or feeling numbness or nothingness. Then, naturally, you begin to take New Steps.
Time is used to examine your beliefs, plan new approaches, see how you can change your actions, purge and release emotions, talk honestly to yourself and increase the level of self-love. As these naturally cycle through, you will end up at Integration. You will then be clearer, more aware, have deeper self-acceptance, balance and the wisdom from experiencing awareness shock and consciously using it for growth. This can grow stronger with more time and distance from the shock.
Breaking Free of the Matrix
The movie, the Matrix, is a good example of evolution via ontological shock. The hero, Neo, goes from a vague awareness that something is not right in his life through a series of shocks that expand his consciousness and changes his perspective. Morpheus and others assist Neo, but ultimately Neo is responsible for his own fate.
At the end of the film Neo is invincible because he has confronted his fears – not ignored them. We can do the same and be the hero of our own soul’s journey in this paradoxical world that mirrors back both our joys and pains back to us as we seek to heal the hologram.
A combination of inner awareness and external support is a good way to ensure an easier path for you as you weather the shocks that of awareness and heal and evolve yourself. I would love to be your guide on your own journey to find deeper meaning, purpose and self-mastery. You can book a free exploratory call with me where we can assess your current challenges and see if there is a way to help you quickly step into your full power.
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