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Spiritual Awakenings Posted on the Omnispiritualism Discussion Group, Wed Oct 17, 2001. For some people, there comes a moment in their lives, where they suddenly awaken to the fact that they have a spirit and that their body is just an extension of that spirit into the physical world. It usually changes their perspective permanently. Has this happened to you? If it happens to you at a very young age, you might not understand what has happened. I did not. I don't remember how old I was, but I know I was a young child. I was walking and talking, so I suppose I was between five and ten years old. Something happened that made me cry. I remember running into my room and throwing myself on my bed and sobbing. It actually happened right in the middle of that episode, or perhaps I should say the end, because it ended my crying like turning off a light switch. I couldn't even remember what I had been crying about. I suddenly saw myself lying on the bed crying, but it wasn't me. At least it wasn't the "real" me. The "real" me, was the one watching the child cry. I haven't been the same since. At the time, I didn't identify this "real" me, with my soul. I just knew the "real" me wasn't my body. I didn't remember living other lives, but I knew I was actually older than my physical age. I didn't suddenly have the knowledge or experience of an adult. I still had a lot of growing up to do. In fact, I'm not sure how to explain what I mean when I say I felt "older." I had no concept of a soul, and back then, I didn't even believe in God. I do believe this early experience helped to prepare me for the revelation I experienced almost ten years later. If this kind of experience happens to an adult, it is more likely that they will already have a set of beliefs. It may be their childhood theology, or perhaps something they've adopted, or pieced together on their own. The important point is that they must somehow integrate this kind of experience with their existing beliefs. Either it strengthens their beliefs, or challenges them. I suppose it's possible, but I have trouble imagining someone having the kind of experience I did, and not having it affect them at a fundamental level. The question becomes, "How do I live my life?," now that I'm balanced on the edge between the physical and spiritual worlds. If you step back from life, and "disengage" from the physical world, you miss the benefits that you can gain from experiencing life "in person." If you step forward, until you can't feel the connection to the spiritual world, you become reduced to an action and reaction mode. You may go back and forth, in your struggle to live your life. When you are struggling to meet your basic survival needs, it becomes difficult to remember the spiritual world, because the physical world demands your undivided attention. When your basic needs have been met, you may turn more toward your spiritual life and fulfillment. Sometimes, in an effort to run away from unpleasant things in life, people retreat into their spiritual selves. I certainly don't suggest trying to maintain a perfect balance between the physical and spiritual, at all times. Sometimes it is beneficial to be completely immersed in the physical world, and other times, it helps to focus intently on the spiritual. The key is to remember the balance point, and return to it after any major or prolonged deviation. If you can do this, you should be able to reduce the effects of life's bad things, and enhance the good things. When things in life are bad, you can step back, just a little, and you will find that not as many of life's slings and arrows reach you. When things in life are good, you can reach out and embrace life, and rediscover the joy in living. The most wonderful thing about having an awareness of your spiritual self, is this power to reduce the negative, and accentuate the positive. Plus there is the knowledge that all you learn in life is not lost, but is preserved within your spirit. By using some of your spirit's eternal perspective, you will begin to see life in a new light. You will begin to learn and grow in ways beyond your preconceptions. Don't worry if you have problems or difficulties, because everyone does. Just keep trying. As you learn, it will get easier. The questions get progressively more challenging, but you only need to focus on the next step. You will only take that next step when you are ready. Mark Staton
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