Why Spiritual Awakening Hurts (And What To Do About It)

Many expect spiritual awakening to happen calmly, as they focus on candle-lit meditation, yoga and smile peacefully. But in truth, the journey can be deeply uncomfortable. If you're feeling emotional pain or confusion during your awakening, you're not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong.

At Spiritual Awakening Signs, we understand that pain during spiritual awakening isn’t failure. It’s transformation in action.

To help you better understand whether what you're going through is awakening or something else, read The Difference Between a Spiritual Awakening and a Mental Breakdown

The Hidden Pain of Awakening

Being spiritually awakened is more than finding peace—it is about changing. By definition, transformation means getting rid of old things so we can create space for new ones. This process is rarely comfortable.

When your energy shifts to higher vibrations, several painful phenomena often occur:

1. The fall of the industrial-era world

With your consciousness increasing, old beliefs and habits start to come out. As you grow, you might notice that your relationships, jobs or identity are not quite right for who you are becoming. Such a situation can seem like you’ve lost what supports you.

2. Heightened Sensitivity

The lines around your energy lose definition which allows you to feel your own emotions and notice the energies all around you. Being more aware can feel a bit too much, making it hard to ignore all the things happening in a crowded room.

3. The Dark Night of the Soul

Many people who are awakening may pass through periods where they feel empty or very discouraged which mystics talk about as "the dark night of the soul." Empty feelings aren’t a bad thing; instead, they create space for us to be truly ourselves.

4. Physical Symptoms

The body often expresses changes in energy by giving us headaches, stomach upsets, tiredness or aches without a clear cause. Even though these are temporary symptoms, they can still pose another difficulty.

Learning to Be Uncomfortable: Helpful Tips

You do not have to go through these challenges unless you want to. You can handle these tough times with greater ease by following these suggestions:

Respect the Way You Work

We don’t move steadily forward in our spiritual journey. There are days when it all makes sense, yet others when I struggle or feel sad. Don’t evaluate your journey, but accept it as it is. Wonder if perhaps this difficulty is important for making me grow.

Ground Your Energy Daily

When everything feels chaotic, return to your body:

• Place bare feet on the earth
• Try slow exercises such as tai chi or easy walking
• Get your hands dirty by gardening, cooking or making things.
• Bathing with salt can help you release any old energy.

Make Room for Yourself to Let Go

Your emotions want to reach you safely. Make time to let go of your emotions in one or more of these methods.

• Writing without editing my thoughts
• Experience sound healing by humming, toning or simply crying.
• Moving the body in a way that opens up emotional experience
• Reaching out to your trusted friends and sharing your thoughts

Modify How You Practice Spirituality

During intense awakening periods, gentle practices often serve better than intense ones:

• Replace power yoga with restorative poses
• Choose guided meditation over lengthy silence
• Try to view nature walks as a kind of restorative exercise.
• Consider energy practices that balance rather than activate

Look for People Who Will Help You Grow

Seek those who understand this terrain—not to "fix" your experience, but to witness it with wisdom. Often, hearing that it is all part of the adventure gives you great comfort.

A Good Thing About Struggles

Coming to awareness holds a very important role. At the end of a scene is the rebirth of trust; with sensitivity comes closer connection; when we are empty, we are truly full.

Remember the way a butterfly leaves its chrysalis behind. Struggling to break free is simply what grows the butterfly’s wings, so it can fly away when it’s ready. Just like other growing pains, spiritual ones are intended to help you expand in awareness.

Trusting When You Can not See

The biggest challenge—and bonus—that comes with spiritual awakening is trusting ourselves when we can’t always see ahead. If you lose your sense of familiarity and begin to feel queasy, do you still trust that the process knows what it’s doing?

Remind yourself that you don’t have to see everything clearly to trust where life's taking you.

Bear in mind that you don’t need to be perfect to practice presence. Missing a little can be perfectly normal. The universe doesn’t need you to have every answer and just asks you to be open to its events as they happen.

It is by the work of his wounded heart that Rumi believes light enters our lives. Your challenges in spiritual growth aren’t penalties; they are avenues for deep change. If you hold to your process, look after your energy, free space for release, shift your habits and have some wise people as companions along the way, you will face life changes with more grace and fewer problems.

Remember that your discomfort will be followed by both relief and important personal discoveries. The very pain that challenges you now is carving space for wisdom that couldn't otherwise enter.

Your awakening hurts because it matters. Because you're growing. Because you're becoming more fully who you truly are.

Want guidance for your awakening journey?

Explore more insights and supportive tools at Spiritual Awakening Signs — where your transformation is seen, honored, and supported.