Signs of Spiritual Awakening

By George A. Boyd © 2022

Q: People in recovery speak of having a spiritual awakening. What are some of the changes in character that go along with this?

A: We see a shift into the expression of spiritual emotions:

  • Patience
  • Forgiveness
  • Humility
  • Asking for help from God and the Holy Spirit
  • Gratitude
  • Awe and wonder at the beauty and majesty of Creation
  • Inner quietness and peace

When the negative patterns that comprised their addiction and their negative character traits are worked out—through their twelve-step program or psychotherapy—these inner emotions emerge. When the darkness is removed, the inner light that was hidden behind it comes forth.

You can evaluate whether you are having a spiritual awakening through examining whether you are experiencing these states or not. If these emotions do not arise, you are having an inner experience; it just might not be spiritual awakening.

Another marker that accompanies spiritual awakening is spontaneous love, caring, and compassion that you feel towards others. You see the beauty, the goodness, and the potential in others, and you wish to support them have their own spiritual awakening and to blossom into what they can become.

We encourage you to reflect on these spiritual emotions and to find their wellsprings in you. Notice what blocks it from expressing through you: work on these issues until you resolve them—then spiritual awakening will arise in you.

Those of you who are working on your recovery from addiction and are working on your 11th step may find our book, Meditation for Recovery: Key Techniques for Maintaining Sobriety, Sanity, and Serenity, helpful in activating your spiritual life.

If you are serious about getting to the bottom of your addiction, you may wish to take our Addiction Recovery Coaching Program, which will help you uncover the patterns that keep your addiction in place and begin the process of transforming them.