How To Start Your Spiritual Journey: Modern Paths To Enlightenment

Do you want to become more spiritual, but aren’t sure where to begin?

If you’re just starting out on your spiritual journey, the process can easily feel overwhelming. There are as many different spiritual paths to enlightenment as there are people to ask about it. Not only that, but most people believe very strongly that their way is “the” right way to go.

So how do you sort through all of the information out there and find the spiritual journey that’s right for you? Well, there are a few key points to consider, and questions to ask yourself before you begin.

What Is A Spiritual Journey?

The first point to clarify is what, exactly, you mean when you talk about a spiritual journey.

To some people, a spiritual journey is a specific religious experience or rite of passage, while to others its an other-worldly, out of body experience, or even a hallucinogenic trip with drugs like ayahuasca or LSD.

For me, personally, I consider all of life to be part of my journey, and I think spirituality is something that we each cultivate within ourselves gradually, over time.

Understanding Enlightenment

One key aspect that comes with defining your spiritual journey is to understand what is meant by enlightenment.

Are you trying to reach a state of total nirvana, perched in meditation on a beautiful mountaintop, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life?

Or are you trying to figure out how to find peace within yourself, reduce stress and operate at a higher level in your life?

I like to think of enlightenment simply as operating from a state of total clarity and peace. It’s the highest version of myself, to which I constantly strive, and can be found simply by becoming more present in your day to day actions, taking the time to step back and live from a higher state of awareness.

Do I Have To Be Religious To Be Spiritual?

Another concept that often gets thrown into the mix is the idea of religion. Many people think that spirituality and religion are intertwined.

While this can be the case for many people, I want to make it clear that this connection is always a choice you must make for yourself.

Whether you adhere to a specific religion, adopt some beliefs from different religions, or cringe at the word God, you can still live a deeply spiritual life.

Again, the point is all about defining what feels right to you, in order to clarify your own path.

How Do You Become Spiritually Awakened?

Once you start to understand what your spiritual journey actually is, the obvious next question centers around how to become spiritually awakened.

The key clarification here is to understand that awakening simply means awareness.

You can awaken in many different ways, but all of them revolve around becoming more aware of your own thoughts, beliefs, and actions.

Take The Time To Step Back

One of the best ways to increase your level of awareness is to take the time to step back throughout the idea.

There are many different breath exercises you can use to do this, but the primary idea behind each of them is to gain a heightened perspective, by taking yourself out of the details of your daily drama.

When you step back, you become more receptive to new ideas and ways of looking at the world. This receptivity will prepare you for higher level understandings and leaps of consciousness.