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10 signs of a spiritual awakening

DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
edited November 2011 in General Banter

Comments

  • zenffzenff Veteran
    I hate that music.
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    I didn't watch it all the way through, but I think you know when you've had a 'spiritual awakening'; you don't need to be told about it, and then have to work out if you've had one or not.

    You just know.

    And I think this should also translate into having more compassion for others; helping others. I know in A.A., when I see guys who come in as self centred wrecks and through the 12 Step process, they begin to help the next newcomer, I know they've had a spiritual awakening and they're well on the road to recovery.
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    When I went to AA that was something that struck me pretty much as soon as I got there, the fact that everybody is so helping and compassionate. I guess for some people they need to be at a place in their life where they have not only hit rock bottom, but smashed right down onto it to have the chance to find true meaning and spirituality.
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    I'm glad that was your impression of A.A., Tom. I guess when it comes to newcomers, we don't have to do meditations on 'Exchanging Self for Others'. Recovered alkies know what it's like to be an active alcoholic, so compassion is naturally there without trying to develop it.

    And when a newcomer asks me how to find a sponsor, I tell them to ask A.A. members if they've had a spiritual awakening as a result of working the Steps. If the A.A. member smiles and agrees that he/she has, then they're good to go, but if the A.A. member looks confused, move on.

    As I say, you don't need to be told or informed in anyway if you've had a spiritual awakening. You just 'know'.
  • AMHAMH
    Dang it, that seems to happen a few times a year to me. Okay at least the sleep issues and occassionally crying over puppy dogs in toilet paper commercials. Could be hormones too.

    I am glad that AA works well for people. I have not had such a great experience with some people who are involved, but I realized that the people it is successful for probably are not announcing their membership like the couple people I have known that did not really get far (like not doing all the 12 steps and putting the responsibility on the sponsor).
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    There are different types of spiritual awakening. What is described in the clip is clearly Kundalini symptoms. That's one kind of awakening. I think this clip can be helpful for people experiencing that particular type of awakening, as it tells you what to make of the symptoms, and how to deal with them.
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    There are different types of spiritual awakening. What is described in the clip is clearly Kundalini symptoms. That's one kind of awakening. I think this clip can be helpful for people experiencing that particular type of awakening, as it tells you what to make of the symptoms, and how to deal with them.
    :)
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    The video is quite interesting, it also confirms something that occurred to me a few weeks ago. I realized that there is not one specific single moment of awakening, I have felt a couple of situations where something has clicked into place and I have been awoken to something if that makes sense.

    Also something that made me laugh a little is that many of these symptoms of awakening are similar or the same to withdraw symptoms from diazepam. So at the moment or shall I say recently I have had different sleeping patterns, I am sensitive to sounds, I keep catching light or movement in the corner of my eye, I become restless easily, and the sensation described on the top of yoru head is also a symptom. So, where do you draw the line with it being symptoms of awakening or simply somebody withdrawing from a benzo substance :p
  • ToshTosh Veteran
    I don't think the video is very helpful. Scientific experiments have found that preconceived ideas influence an outcome. So if you've got preconceived ideas about what a spiritual awakening is, you'll do some meditation/yoga/whatever, and you may subconsciously shape your experience to those preconceived ideas you have.

    As I say, there's lots of scientific experiments carried out to show this, such as people's reaction to sensory deprivation. People either went 'crazy' due to long term sensory deprivation, or found it was boring, depending on their preconceived ideas. I guess people can have a placebo effect.

    And Tom makes a good point too about some of the symptoms being similar to a drug withdrawal.

    And if there's different types of spiritual awakenings, has anyone any further info on this, preferably with a check-list so we can work out what sort of spiritual experience we have? I don't know, but it sounds a bit silly to me.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    Funny, I didn't notice the music.

    This is for a narrow audience, those who may find themselves experiencing a Kundalini rising, and need help making sense out of what's happening to them. So I agree with c_w. If it were happening to you, out of the blue, you'd be glad this video is around.

    As for different types of awakenings, that comes up from time to time on various threads. The Buddha described Awakening as simply the cessation of grasping, opening up to unconditioned awareness. I think some types of spiritual awakening are more problematic than others, and if you're having one related to Kundalini, you're likely to need help. Why are people so negative on this?
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