In the video, The Future of Spiritual Awakening learn the 12 areas that give you foreknowledge, and that helps us navigate through these times, as well as inspires us when we meet an obstacle lifting us to embrace positive changes. Some areas are not often discussed and one area, Spiritual Bypassing is a potential stumbling block we need to know. The 12 areas are influential components transforming our times and are continuing to build into the future you will want to know.
How is spiritual awakening shaping our world and unfolding into the future? Spiritual Awakening and transformative experiences are no longer quietly on the fringe but are moving into the mainstream as a massive cultural paradigm shift. These changes are swiftly moving through our lives and will continue to impact us at many levels. The areas covered include
Religion, Culture and Education, End of Life, Eco-environment and Stewardship, Spiritual Bypassing, Mental Health & Physical Health, Pain, Social Justice, Technology, Trauma, Sound Healing with information and tools.
Religion and Spirituality
The continued trend from people leaving religions is ongoing although there is a growth in rise in specific religions like Islam. Often this is because of immigration from other Muslim countries.
While people are aware of the schism within Christianity and Catholicism with that have created war, domination, sexual abuse, and taken power from people for 100’s of years. The authority of these dominant forces is also questioned through exposure to other religions through travel and technology that show the comparison of the ways others are revenant, connect to their spirituality, and how it is integrated into lives. The reclamation occurs in creating what works, finding new community and sometimes adapting and remembering ancient practices that fill our hearts and souls.
In the interim when there is loss of structure in connecting with community of likeminded people, ceremony and celebrations that hold odors, food, songs, rituals, and often dressing differently that are meaningful to us, the organized effort of social justice and helping others, and support through difficulties. In this loss and reclamation process there is an evolution of how spirituality is personalized through ceremony, birth, death, what holidays are chosen, and other areas.
Remembering and implementing ancient practices
Remembering and implementing ancient practices that are merged with meaningful rituals that take on new vibrancy created uniquely by those who step into that self-appointed role with heartfelt dedication and leadership. More of these practices are emerging, developing, and spreading. And with the ageing population there is a resurgence of identification of the wise elders and wisdom keepers who are holding this space for all, and this is growing.
More groups will take time to sacredly connect with each other in higher levels of consciousness that connect them to greater understanding that expands our abilities to perceive and participate in a world we are just beginning to see glimpses of. Collective gathering and elevating consciousness as continuous spiritual awakening practice strengthen support, reverence, and sustained presence for methods of connection, grieving, celebration, ceremony, births, deaths, healing, convening, land ownership, eco environmentalism, and community development.
There is a side of this process that has come about and will continue to come about unless people are aware of it. Exposure to other’s ceremonies, celebrations, and methods is sometimes they are coopted in a less respectful way. This means someone takes or steals the concept without understanding the nuances because they are undeveloped and do not understand. Some circles call these plastic medicine people. This can be disrespectful to other methods as well as sometimes dangerous to perform practices that appear to be innocent on the surface but have years of practice, spiritual development, and systems that are developed over years that gives them a deep, comprehensive, and powerful respect for the practice.
End of Life
End-of-life care is a topic of increasing importance as individuals seek to find meaning and purpose in their life, resolve conflicts and find forgiveness and compassion, which sometimes even includes the use of psychedelics for these discoveries especially for an ageing population. Near-death experiences are also giving a wealth of consistent content that vastly contributes to end of life and after death. People with these experiences bring to us comfort and insight and specific stages and what to expect.
As near-death experiences continue to be shared and travel into mainstream the stages before death, after death and even after death communication will grow into a greater knowing of expansion and understanding of who we are and how we are connected, we are never alone, and there are beings who are around the person who is getting ready to leave.
People who are practicing forgiveness and compassion on a daily basis for themselves and others now are also leading the way. There practices will be integrated into our lives and used every day because they release stored energy that binds us. When these are integrated into life we have time to notice areas from the past and that are in the present including tiny moments where these practices allow progress. Then right before death there is no remorse or ‘demons of our own making’ because we have done the work. This practice also frees the energy for what is commonly called the life review because work has been done throughout life. Knowing meditation through death elevates consciousness is also a powerful method to be able to easily connect to during this transformational time. When those who are in attendance are also in a higher level of consciousness and are also meditators they also contribute their energy to the transition that supports the transition of the person. This all may sound like silence however there are also certain and specific curated sound healing practices that are beneficial to the time of transition that elevate consciousness. And more advanced practices will reveal themselves.
And as we learn more about our individual ancestors and their practices it is common to discover practices that became suppressed that are more holistic for those around the person as well as the person who is in the process of dying or has died. In these discoveries are practices through sound healing and vocalizations that help to facilitate and release fear and carrying the spirit forward on their journey. They even do more in their three parts of honoring of their presence on earth and facilitate the person to go the highest level, These ancient practices are found in different cultures to assist the journey of the spirit.
Environmental Stewardship, Eco-Spirituality Community
The intersection of spiritual awakening and environmental stewardship offers a powerful way to understand the challenges facing our planet and make the changes that will transform the issues we face. When people are actively practicing spiritual awakening methods they are also activating their abilities for problem solving, insight, innovation, creativity, and intuition which are key elements of going beyond the set of circumstances that created the situation to gather methods of resolution that are beyond what has been known.
And in the intersection of spiritual awakening and the environment there is an increasing recognition of the interconnectedness of personal growth and environmental sustainability. Spiritual awakening, is an ongoing journey of a deepening connection to inner wisdom that also resonates within the natural world which also simultaneously cultivates inner peace, compassion, and empathy. And these experiences all contribute to creating a more sustainable and harmonious future that is related to the environment and sustainability.
There is a realization systems of the environment are living beings; forests, savannas, marshes, woodlands, deserts, mountains, and all bodies of water are not solely for the purpose of exploitation of their resources, or to be used by humans but for sustainability of the diversity there is inclusion and honoring of the species for all’s survival. While it may be difficult to imagine the relationship to mosquitos to the environment from a human perspective, there are many species of creatures who eat the mosquito and some of who are endangered. In the future instead of killing the mosquito with toxic chemicals in the air and on our bodies and the species of toads, frogs, bats, certain birds and fish keeping the balance without endangering the environment by exposing it to toxic chemicals will thrive.
Sacred Spaces
Sacred spaces whether natural or human-created, play a vital role in spiritual awakening and environmental stewardship. These spaces provide a place of refuge, contemplation, and connection and research shows people most often feel their personal spiritual connection while in nature. They can also serve as reminders of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of preserving the natural world. And as people connect through nature and look into the sky they will notice the natural land formations and ancient formations created by the ancestors and their relationship to systems through time and the feeling and presence of these locations that is timeless.
While some sacred spaces are known and even exploited through commercialism, many can remain pristine by a greater emphasis on environmental stewardship and the creation of sacred spaces that are shared with all creatures. In conjunction with becoming sensitive to and recognizing the value of sacred spaces, as individuals become more aware of the challenges facing the planet, they will seek out geographically located communities that promote environmental sustainability, involving protection of biodiversity, reduction of pollution, actions related to climate change, and that promote sustainable living.
The movement of creating community gardens, public labyrinths, sacred circles, and other similar areas continues to grow and these sacred spaces will take on new understanding and relevance as people learn more, go deeper, develop more awareness, sensitivity, and connection through the seasons and years and especially to the ancient monuments that are remaining of standing stones, pyramids, ancient wells, sacred caves, and other locations specially placed in relation to the stars. There is increasing recognition environmental stewardship, as a component of spiritual awakening , plays a vital role in shaping the direction of Earth for themselves and for generations to come.
Pain
At this time people with pain are offered medication, including cannabis, and physical therapy before surgery as their options. Yet as time goes on the use of non-pharmacological interventions for managing pain has been established through plenty of legitimate research and has many advantages. As time goes on the information about the use of curated sound methods in systems for managing pain and lessening pain will become mainstream because it is easy to do, easy to access is inexpensive, non-invasive and not another medication or addictive. There is plenty of research already on systems that use curated sound for lessening pain and conditions related to pain including lessening depression and anxiety, and gaining control back over life instead of pain having control. While that research is available, I did research in internal Medicine with Pain patients, getting the programs to people is the hurdle. As we progress in the future these curated sound healing programs for managing pain will be widely used because they release stress and tension, create relaxation, and promote calm. Similarly using curated sound healing methods are especially valuable for going to the dentist and relaxing and releasing stress and tension.
Social Justice
Spiritual awakening, involves cultivating compassion, empathy, and inner peace. In this development process within there often develops a greater awareness of the suffering and injustice in the world. While in some instances this awareness seems to be debilitating there is a transition from being frozen to action. Action towards a more equitable and compassionate society for animal and creature companions, addiction, human trafficking, poverty, and many other areas. All of these areas are part of the transformation that is bringing light and compassion to what once was hidden. The Me Too movement, and Black Lives Matter as examples of once oppressive structures and marginalization, will receive attention and methods rise up. This aspect of spiritual awakening manifests as courage and motivation to social justice work and change systems.
In the process there is noticing there is a problem, understanding the issues, and taking action to alleviate the system that is oppressive and painful. As diversity equity and inclusion become more understood and implemented other implicit biases will show up and there will be an increasing value of personal growth, participation, compassion, and development.
Technology
As we have accelerated our use of technology worldwide it is simultaneously resulting in a deeper push into our spiritual inner development and paradoxically can be isolating and connecting at the same time. All the components of moving beyond the old paradigm of dualism, the binary, us and them, dominance instead of stewardship are layered into technology, as mirrors of this paradox.
Another component of technology is isolation as we learned during the pandemic, and being on devices can lead to depression and anxiety. All of technology has the ability to be used for growth or denigration. And making our lives easier while we identify the snags as well as can be used for negative purposes just like the internet. Technologies gift is the ability to connect worldwide learn and grow in different areas that resonate within. It offers an opportunity to encounter others without traveling and consider what they offer, including teachings, music, messages, and practices. Using innovations in sound healing now that are available through technology for healing, mastering challenging times, getting to sleep, accessing heightened states of consciousness , releasing trauma, and creating epigenetic responses that are haling for the physical body, mind, emotions, and spirit already exist and will become part of mainstream culture.
Spiritual Bypassing
This was mentioned in the beginning of the video as an area to watch for that we are prone to do. As people continue to look for personal experiences and deepening of their spiritual inner wisdom sometimes people use spiritual ideas and practices to avoid confronting or addressing underlying emotional or psychological issues. Furthermore, spirituality is used as a method to avoid confronting unresolved emotional issues, inadvertently perpetuating self-destructive patterns of behavior. Another component of spiritual bypassing is creating a false sense of enlightenment which is presented to others as spiritual superiority, and you may already sense this on social media. This behavior is present today in people who come to your door with their version of God implying their path is not only preferred but superior and you need to be saved, healed, and claimed.
Another component of spiritual bypassing that is harmful are exploitative behaviors that use spiritual language or demonstrations of “spirituality” to rationalize abusive or manipulative actions. They may claim or others may claim these actions are in accordance with their connection with their level of spiritual connection, or with God and higher purpose. This is dangerous in religious or spiritual communities where compliance and obedience are part of not questioning authority.
Other components of mainstream spiritual awakening is the consumerized commercialized version of superficial fixes that are vacuous, or quick access to mastery, or experiences that require little investment in work that heals for a quick fix. In some communities these are known as plastic healers, plastic shamans, plastic medicine people.
Mental Health and Trauma
Today we have come a long way from the instant labeling of crazy and pathologicalizing mental health issues and trauma, or have we? Although the presence of the ideas of how other cultures treat people with mental health issues presented in the movie Crazywise by Phil Borges occurred in 2016, this movement needs to spread to become integrated into mainstream with people who are trained to understand and guide people. Asking the questions in the future, “is this crazy or wise?” “Is this psychosis or spiritual awakening?” will no longer be necessary, (but now it is).
We are lifting out of pharmaceutical only interventions and lack of compassion because of the movement of spiritual emergencies with different people contributing to seeds of that foundation. Understanding compassion is necessary in all of the aspects of mental health, trauma, addiction, and as potentials of spiritual awakenings.
Due to the prevalence of anxiety in teens there is also concern in the near future we will have a world filled with anxious and depressed people unless we make some significant changes in our trajectory. Spiritual awakening rooted in practices of meditation that shift consciousness also release stress and trauma that contribute to depression and anxiety.
As our culture evolves, understanding and implementing to our children and teens as well as adults methods of beginning level meditation practices is not only diverting a crisis but contributing to our overall growth and evolution. Even only from the perspective of the financial burden to our medical system. And also from the perspective of the quality of life and the contributions of their wellbeing.
Valuing the use of the transformation of consciousness on a regular basis in micro adjustments through practices that shift our brain waves, heart rate, and respiration, will be understood as essential to our physical and mental and emotional health. The rise in the use of psychedelics and the research that supports the benefits also contribute to this evolving awareness that we were never designed to stay or thrive in one level of consciousness.
As spiritual awakening continues the understanding and research that is already present on the extraordinary applications of particular music and sound for healing will also compete with the pharmaceutical industry’s role and their services. Since curated sound healing has wide applications for pain management, getting to sleep, releasing depression and anxiety, accessing deep spiritual connections that are transformational called Intense musical experiences that are life changing, connect to profound insight, feeling of harmonization, similar to psychedelics, people will seek out using these sound healing patterns as methods for developing and accessing this deep inner wisdom and transformational abilities.
Other research with curated sound healing reveals how it releases and heals trauma and the effects of trauma in the neurological system. Mindful meditation has laid a path for other more significant methods of transforming our consciousness, and emotions, and mental health.
Specific Sound Patterns
Specific sounds and their patterns build a strong relationship with creativity, insight, problem-solving, resilience, and intuition. This is singniatcnatly related to healing and spiritual awakening as a cultural transformation because these are the qualities of self-trust and advancing that relationship. Right now there are only a few universities that recognize the value of intuition in upper management as a valuable asset as do air traffic controllers. Yet, research reveals these are critical to healing trauma, advancing in a career, decision making, sensing safety, and our evolution. Discovering solutions using intuition and insight, as problem-solving abilities is going beyond the current knowledge base into an expansive receptivity that allows for solutions that are beyond the known.
They research already exists that we are able to access transformative states through specific sound patterns and systems that create epigenetic responses that intervene upon the production of cortisol and inflammation that are the underlying contributors to heart disease, the leading cause of death, diabetes, cancer, addiction, immune-compromised illness, Parkinson’s, dementia, and Alzheimer’s as well as schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression and anxiety. This is revolutionary to the physical and mental health field because accessing these states release trauma in the nervous system that is also a contributor to mental and physical illness. These relaxed restorative states also lend to insights into the nature of consciousness, the power of intention, and potential for human beings to shape their reality. Consider there were those people who went before that seeded this time from William James identifying inner spiritual connection as a result of the industrialization. We are seeding the future now, collectively we are moving into an age of harmony.
Considering how accessing alpha brain waves and theta, and deeper states is a growing phenomenon and based on research, the future will continue to evolve as we seed the future collectively we are moving into an age of harmony. But there is work to do.
In the video blog Mysteries and Challenges of Spiritual Awakening there is information about the Fear of Letting Go or Being Pushed for individuals. As a collective culture we are also in this stage of fear of letting go with attachments to the old ways of ideas, social norms about what is possible, in healing and healing trauma for our physical body, mind, emotions, and spirit, We are being pushed to make these changes, to breathe space into the new. We have permission to discover, uncover, release, change our minds, be uncomfortable, and re-identify our purpose. In this process we are uncovering what has been held secret even to ourselves, willingness to speak our truth in love, to move in new directions. It is time.
References
Black Lives Matter. (2024). https://blacklivesmatter.com/news/
Borgess, P. (2016). Crazywise. Film. https://crazywisefilm.com/
Gholipour, B. (2014). Oldest Medical Report of Near-death Experience Discovered. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/46993-oldest-medical-report-of-near-death-experience.html
Hegemeyer, Susan. (2024). Mysteries & Challenges of Spiritual Awakening https://3melete.com/the-mysteries-and-challenges-of-spiritual-awakening-10-areas-of-difficulties-illusions-blessings/
Cherry, K. (2023). Spiritual Bypassing as a Defense Mechanism.
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-spiritual-bypassing-5081640
MeToo Movement. (2024). https://metoomvmt.org/
Popova, M. (2024). William James on Science and Spirituality, the Limits of Materialism, and the Existential Art of Assenting into the Universe. https://www.themarginalian.org/2018/05/28/william-james-varieties-of-religious-experience/
Religious Experience,. (2024). Wikipedia.
