4 Stages of Higher Consciousness and Spiritual Awakening
Hindu sages, Christian monks, and Buddhist puritans—all are known to have the ability to reach states of higher consciousness through meditation, contemplation, fasting, or chanting. As you raise your consciousness, you awaken to the eternal, unlimited nature of your being. Higher consciousness is an ever-increasing awareness of the meaning of existence, your spiritual essence, and the spiritual and energetic nature of all things. It’s a state of connection to spiritual wisdom, transforming knowledge, divine love, infinite peace, and higher order of being. As Dr. Michael Beckwith, trainer of Mindvalley’s Life Visioning Mastery Quest, says, “We are here to grow, develop, and unfold. We are progressive beings that have infinite capacity.”
The Meaning of Spiritual Awakening
Put simply, spiritual awakenings mark the beginning of your initiation on the spiritual path. When we undergo a spiritual awakening, we literally wake up from the dreamlike reality of ego-centered living. We begin to question our old beliefs, habits, and social conditioning, and see that there is much more to life and ourselves than what we have been taught. Spiritual awakenings are the soul’s cry for freedom. They lurch into your life and shake everything up like tornadoes. But the hidden gift buried deep within them is that they occur at the precise time that you need them the most. If you have experienced a spiritual awakening, you have come to see through the lies and illusions of this world. Deep in your soul, you realize that nothing external has ever, and can ever, bring you true happiness or fulfillment.
The Four Stages of Consciousness
Developed by Dr. Beckwith, who’s also the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center, the structure is incredibly relevant and simple to understand. It makes the path to greater awareness seem more attainable. The four stages are as follows:
- To Me: Victim Consciousness – The belief that something is happening to you. Everything in your life—destiny, happiness, success, and well-being—is determined by external factors.
- By Me: Manifestor Consciousness – The belief that things are happening by you. You’re able to use spiritual principles, like affirmation and visualizations, to manifest the kind of life you want.
- Through Me: Channeler Consciousness – The belief that things are operating through you. Through meditation and visualizations, you often have peak experiences and live a life of surrender to the universe.
- As Me: Being Consciousness – The belief that you’re at oneness with all of life as you. It’s the most profound state—the higher consciousness—where the line of separation is dissolved and you’re in harmony and coherence with who you are.
One thing to note, though, is that the stages of consciousness are not linear. Instead, they serve as a mirror to see where you are in different areas of your life. For instance, in some areas of life, you may feel victimized. In other areas, you may be able to bring things into manifestation. As Dr. Beckwith explains, the stages are “a way to understand and enter into dialogue about [your] own growth.”
Comparison of Consciousness Stages
| Stage | Core Belief | Primary State |
|---|---|---|
| To Me | Victim Consciousness | Life happens to you (external factors) |
| By Me | Manifestor Consciousness | Life happens by you (manifestation) |
| Through Me | Channeler Consciousness | Life operates through you (surrender) |
| As Me | Being Consciousness | You are oneness with all life (harmony) |
Signs and Symptoms of Awakening
Going through a spiritual awakening is one of the most confusing, lonely, alienating, but also supremely beautiful experiences in life. It is common to ask questions such as, “Who am I?” “What is the purpose of my life?” “What happens after death?” and “Why do good people suffer?” during your awakening. Searching for God, or for the Divine, is a common desire during this experience. This profound realization leaves you craving for something richer, more fulfilling, and something that will make you feel whole once again. As you’re able to hold this space, you’re able to hold a deep sense of beingness throughout all your activities.