When I was writing the article about the dark night of the soul, I had no idea what would follow. And that’s okay. Experience comes before understanding. If it weren’t like that, I would think I had made everything up based on the information I had learned – how something is supposed to look – and then projected onto it what I thought should happen to me. But that wasn’t the case. I was going through something profound and transformative, and when it reached a level that no longer included any familiar beliefs, I began searching for answers.
To clarify further, as soon as I began living in Italy, my lifestyle underwent a complete transformation. Suddenly, I had time to focus on myself. I no longer had the usual distractions I used to – friends, alcoholic parties, 12-hour work shifts. And it wasn’t pleasant. I tried to “figure out” what I was supposed to do in life, what my purpose was, but I didn’t have enough courage, discipline, or motivation to pursue it.
Then came the dark night of the soul – a period when it’s no longer possible to continue living a life that brings no fulfillment. I describe all of this in the previous article, so there’s no need to write it all again.
After a more extended period of introspection, also referred to as “hermit mode,” I opened myself to the spiritual guidance of my soul. It was also a time when I focused intensely on my relationships with others, asked probing and uncomfortable questions, and sought the truth.
And it was even worse.
I began writing down my dreams and journaling about various topics that kept showing up as recurring patterns of behavior, thought, or emotional blocks. I explored them from every possible angle, looking for their roots – and the lessons within them: awareness and acceptance.
Some blocks were easy to release, while some themes are so deeply rooted that they keep coming back over and over again. And even though I know their possible cause, I still struggle to integrate them – that is, to find peace with them so they no longer cause me pain.
And then, just when I thought I had found my inner peace, it all “began” – expansion of consciousness, spiritual awakening.
Even before that, I had started becoming more sensitive to the energies of other people. I could feel emotions, suppression, or pretending. But then the changes began happening within me.
It started with the opening of the third eye chakra and continued through all the other energy centers. I will describe my experience further in the article.
Truth comes from within
The first thing I learned—and am still learning—is that all truth lies within us. At the moment the soul decides to experience the material world and incarnate into this life, it chooses its life path along with all the challenges and tasks it needs to overcome. Then it agrees to forget all of this upon incarnation… and so our journey begins.
Why it’s set up this way is hard to say, and perhaps it doesn’t even make sense to dwell on it.
The point, however, is that at a certain moment, when we start seeking answers, we tend to focus on external sources. We look for information on the internet, search for a spiritual teacher, or ask people why they behave the way they do, or why something did or didn’t happen in the past. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I have to say I’m really grateful for all the information I found this way. Just knowing that you’re not alone, and that the same things are happening today to hundreds or even thousands of others, is in its own way comforting.
If someone in the past went through a spontaneous expansion of consciousness, they probably thought they were going insane, or they suppressed the whole process, or they became “that strange” person who lives in seclusion, talks to spirits, and knows how to give advice.
But then comes a moment when the available information is no longer enough. Even if every person wrote a book about their journey and how they experienced this process, you still wouldn’t find the answers to your own questions. That’s because the path of each individual being is different.
General descriptions of the process may align to some extent, but they will always differ in intensity, cause, course, and timing. And that’s why it’s so important to learn to seek the answers within.
What is spiritual awakening, and what does it cause
As I mentioned earlier, our soul chooses everything in advance. This means that a spiritual awakening happens because the soul is ready for the experience and has an essential purpose connected to it.
In most cases—or perhaps in all cases—that purpose is to help others. The experiences we gain, the heightened level of consciousness, and special spiritual gifts allow us to be of service to others. The way we do that is also individual. It can involve various forms of healing, artistic expression, or anything else that resonates with us and to which we are naturally inclined.
In this article, I will focus only on spontaneous spiritual awakening, as that is what I have personal experience with. The expansion of consciousness can also occur through the practice of yogic techniques, under the guidance of a spiritual master, or after the ingestion of special medicinal plants.
General meanings
First, I would like to focus on the meanings of the terms I use. I describe them based on my own understanding—you can find more general (and academic) interpretations, for example, in the works of C.G. Jung.
Consciousness is the part of our mind that we are aware of—our thoughts, feelings, and memories.
The subconscious is the part that influences us; we are aware of it, but we often overlook it, such as our blocks, traumas, behavioral patterns, suppressed emotions, or experiences.
In contrast, the unconscious is the part we have no control over—it includes our dreams at night, intuition, the “voice” of our soul and heart. It affects us as an invisible force that guides us toward the life path we are meant to fulfill.
Spiritual awakening, kundalini awakening, or expansion of consciousness is a process in which everything from the subconscious comes to light (hence “shadow work”), and parts of the unconscious become conscious.
Practically speaking, it means that if the life force energy decides to “awaken” to flow freely through our energetic body, it first has to remove all blocks and obstacles in its path. It’s like a river flowing—if something stands in its way, it must be cleared. If it isn’t, the energy becomes blocked and creates a physically noticeable pressure. I will describe this in more detail later.
Thanks to this, our energetic body moves into higher vibrations — it can always return to lower ones, but it will no longer feel natural or work for any extended period of time. Instead, it will simply provide a deeper understanding of others, because you yourself have once shared a similar frequency.
Along with this process, our special gifts begin to emerge. Each of us possesses a particular spiritual gift, but its discovery requires expanded consciousness. The gifts can vary—energy healing, telepathy, clairvoyance, clairaudience, communication with souls, and so on.
A spontaneous expansion of consciousness is usually triggered by a traumatic experience. That’s why it differs for each individual. It can be a near-death experience, serious illness, a prolonged period of stress, the death of a loved one, the loss of material security, a twin flame spiritual connection, and so on.
If a person were living in alignment with their life’s purpose and the voice of their heart, this process would unfold gradually and wouldn’t be traumatic at all. But if we stray too far from our path, the soul has no choice but to bring us back through a painful (profound) experience.
Of course, this doesn’t mean we’ve harmed someone else—it always makes sense for everyone involved. Nothing happens by chance, and everything has its purpose.
People often turn to these practices because they hear that a person with expanded consciousness feels love and lives in harmony. And so, they assume that once they “awaken” this power, they will immediately feel happy. But the truth is that the awakening process can be challenging and painful, depending on how much trauma and how many inner blocks you carry within yourself. Sometimes I catch myself envying “ordinary” people, because the suffering one goes through during this “cleansing” process can at times be unbearable.
Heart vs Ego
On our life journey, the most important thing is to understand the difference between what our heart “tells” us and what comes from our ego.
The ego is vital—it serves to protect us. It tries to shield us from pain, avoids difficult and uncomfortable situations, and keeps us in survival mode. But in doing so, it often causes the exact opposite of what it intends.
If we live a life shaped by external influences, other people’s opinions, societal norms, and by suppressing our emotions, desires, and wishes, then we also suppress our life force—the voice of our heart.
The ego operates from a place of fear—fear of the unknown, of death, of humiliation, of abandonment, ridicule, misunderstanding, judgment, rejection, and losing control.
In contrast, the heart is the energy of love. Love is the exact opposite of fear, meaning it evokes feelings of fulfillment, aligned desire, harmony, peace, and truth.
The problem we face—and why we avoid listening to our hearts—is that we have absolutely no control over it, we don’t know what will follow, and we often have to go against others.
The path of the heart is often illogical, incomprehensible, unpredictable, and altogether different. People who follow their hearts are frequently labeled as dreamers, naive, or irresponsible fools.
But who is it that judges? The ego—and therefore, fear. There’s a saying, “you judge others by yourself.” This means that we judge others based on the level of fear we carry—especially when they behave differently or in an illogical manner.
When a person chooses to follow the path of the heart, they must understand that everything will change. Ideas, beliefs, life attitudes, and masks will fall away; some relationships will disappear—only what is genuine and authentic will remain.
So if we lose everything familiar, set out on an illogical path, and have no idea what lies ahead—why should we do it?
Simply because that’s why we’re here, we are here to do what fulfills and brings us joy. To feel happiness, love, and peace.
Life is not meant to be a hell we have to survive, but a heaven we are meant to experience.
And the truth is, the harshest judge is ourselves. We often believe we don’t have the right to feel good or to experience deep, fulfilling love.
And what is it that we’re afraid of?
Everything is energy
Another important thing I’ve learned is that everything is energy—thoughts, actions, emotions, memories… everything.
As I mentioned earlier, after I became more sensitive to the energies of others and started exploring subconscious influences, I thought I had found peace. Then I experienced my first awakening of the third eye energy center. I began to feel strange and as if I were drifting away from reality. I was doing ordinary things—cooking dinner and playing with my daughter—but I had trouble focusing, seeing clearly, and staying in a conscious state.
When I later lay down in bed, I felt like I was “leaving my body.” I couldn’t move, and I entered an altered state of consciousness. Since it was the first time, and I didn’t know what was happening, I thought I might be dying. But I realized there was nothing I could do, so I just tried to breathe deeply and let it flow.
I had similar experiences several times afterward—gradually with all the chakras.
Each time, the experience was preceded by a period of restlessness, reconciliation, and peace.
For example, when my heart chakra was opening, I felt such hot and intense energy in my chest that it became uncomfortable—I was sweating and felt as if I were on fire. I didn’t know if it would ever stop, which was terrifying.
This repeated several times. Each time, new buried traumas, past experiences, and deeper understandings of past situations would emerge. The chakra-opening process usually lasted several hours—most often in the evening or overnight, when I no longer had to focus on external responsibilities.
It was accompanied by a noticeable sensation—pressure, strong feeling, heat, vibrations, sometimes almost pain—in a specific energy center.
What surprised me was that when it happened in the area of the solar plexus, it wasn’t unpleasant at all. I felt a momentary pressure, and then a pleasant warmth and comfort. Like being cozily wrapped in a warm blanket, embraced by someone you love.
Gradually, all of my chakras opened.
During this process, which lasted several months, I became extremely sensitive—especially to other people. I tried to keep my distance, because even the most minor conflict, a piece of bad news, or anything emotionally intense would trigger overwhelming emotions in me that were hard to control.
I felt the urge to scream, cry, and curse.
All my senses became heightened. That means I became sensitive to sounds, light, smells, touch, and tastes… At first, I couldn’t tolerate being in the city; now I can handle it for short periods, but I usually try to isolate myself or spend time in quieter places. I can’t imagine going to a crowded concert like I used to.
I also had trouble walking because my feet hurt terribly (root chakra), and I experienced health issues that had no apparent cause.
I went for blood tests and various medical examinations. The doctors suspected cancer or another serious illness, because the physical symptoms were so intense that no one could simply say, “she’s exaggerating or making it up.”
But they never found anything. It was as if I were completely healthy… and yet I was suffering like an animal.
I was bleeding continuously for half a year.
Then things began to change. It was no longer about the opening of individual energy centers, but rather the overall integration and flow of energy.
I call it an “energetic upgrade,” and the same pattern precedes it. As soon as I feel a sense of calm for a day or two and manage to maintain it, a wave of energy arrives—it always begins in the belly and flows through my entire body.
In the beginning, this process lasted several hours, sometimes even two days. The only thing I could do was lie in bed. I could barely move or do anything. Only breathe and meditate.
Over time, the duration shortened, and now it only takes a few minutes.
That means I can go about things normally, and usually, no one notices anything. Sometimes I’ll just sit down for a moment and say that I have a stomachache or that I simply need to rest.
But most of the time, I don’t say anything—I just quietly wait for the energy to integrate.
Based on all this, I know that everything is energy. I feel it instantly and intensely.
The energy of other people, their words, my own words, thoughts, art, places, nature, city versus countryside, crowds, shops, things —everything you can imagine—I feel it very clearly in my individual energy centers.
One more thing worth mentioning is that, over time, I completely stopped drinking alcohol. In the beginning (of the expending), I couldn’t tolerate even half a glass of wine — it made me feel strange, out of place. Now I avoid it simply because I no longer see any purpose in it. My reasons for drinking in the past were probably the same as for most people — relaxation, a euphoric feeling — but now I sense that I don’t need to create that state externally. Especially knowing that alcohol intoxicates the body, which does not serve our well-being in any way.
In connection with this, I also do not recommend the use of psychedelic substances, even natural ones. As for conventional medicines, I have no personal experience of how much they may affect the flow of energy, or how energy work might affect their effects. Suppose you find yourself in such a situation. In that case, it’s best to consult multiple specialists from different fields (although if you talk to a general practitioner about energy, they might think you belong in a psychiatric ward or that you’ve been watching too much spiritual content). Always trust your intuition and how your body feels, but avoid making sudden decisions without proper information.
The negative side effects of spiritual awakening
When we discuss spontaneous spiritual awakening, people often want to know how to mitigate the adverse side effects.
The feelings and emotions that surface are often very unpleasant, and the overwhelming surge of energy can be intense. It’s also common to experience thoughts of death, suicide, overwhelming fear, and an inability to see clearly or handle everyday life situations.
We may feel that nothing makes sense, or that we have no idea how to resolve the issues troubling us.
It’s essential to understand what causes this inner disharmony—because it always comes down to either the suppression of emotions and life force, or the blockage of energy flow in certain areas. That means there is too much energy in one place and not enough in another.
Suppression of emotions
When emotions are too strong or unpleasant, the natural defense is to suppress or ignore them—redirecting our attention to distractions.
But the truth is, that only works as a short-term solution. If we suppress something for too long, it increases the internal pressure, and eventually it bursts to the surface with even greater force.
It’s like pressing down on water and not allowing it to flow freely. What happens when the pressure builds and the valve suddenly opens? Everything comes spraying out.
We can express emotions calmly and in solitude.
It helps to write them down in a journal, talk to ourselves as if we were speaking to someone else (for example, the person we have an issue with), write a letter and then burn it, engage in art therapy, do physically demanding work, dance, sing, or listen to music that helps us cry and release the emotion, and so on.
It’s not absolutely necessary to discuss the past with people. As I’ve said, everything is energy. Suppose we process the issue ourselves and reach a place of forgiveness; the energy between the people involved naturally shifts. Sometimes this change is visible right away; other times, the other person may be going through their own process and doesn’t respond to our shift.
What truly matters is how we feel about ourselves. We are not responsible for others.
Anger, for example, can serve as fuel for necessary change.
When we reflect on things we don’t like and want to change, a strong feeling of anger can arise—toward someone or something. That is the perfect moment to use this powerful energy for creation and action—toward what we truly want.
It’s like lighting a fire: at first it burns very intensely, but then the flames settle, and we need to gradually add more wood—for the fire to burn evenly and for a long time.
Talking to other people helps to a certain extent. Sometimes we are lucky enough that someone helps us find a different perspective on things, or helps us realize what is true for us.
However, you must be prepared for the fact that if you want to discuss your spiritual matters with someone, they will likely not understand you. If someone hasn’t experienced something similar themselves, it’s difficult for them to imagine what you are going through. Most people try to fit everything into familiar situations, solutions, and experiences. But very few people you meet will have experience with something like this. Seek your own answers and talk about these matters only if they directly affect the course of your life — that is, with the people who are directly involved.
Disconnecting from the heart
If emotions and feelings persist for a long time, we may try to suppress them altogether to avoid feeling anything at all. This can apply to individual emotional states or the entire process in general.
I was probably leaning exactly in this direction before the dark night of the soul arrived. But now it’s different—at a higher state of consciousness, this kind of “solution” is no longer possible. I tried it several times. I went through periods when nothing made sense, and there were so many unpleasant things happening that I didn’t want to feel anything anymore. During that time, several of my friends passed away, and I was also present during the natural dying process of several animals. I stayed with them from the moment they began dying until their last breath, which usually took about a day.
Typically, when someone experiences something like this, they gain a greater appreciation for life because they realize how fleeting everything is. But I felt the opposite—I almost envied them for being able to leave, while I had to stay.
So I tried to disconnect. The result was always the same—a moment of “peace” followed by depressive states, thoughts of death and suicide, the feeling that nothing has meaning and there’s no reason to exist, anger at everyone and myself for getting into this situation… and also unbearable inner pressure.
The energy that couldn’t flow freely accumulated inside me, and I felt physical pain in various parts of my body. I couldn’t do anything, not even sleep… and when I did manage to fall asleep, I had brutal nightmares. Hell on earth—literally.
In general, it could be said that this was the highest state of the ego – a complete suppression of the heart. That means I was focusing on everything I didn’t like and giving it great importance. I struggled to let things flow and believe that everything was happening for a reason that was helping me on my path.
So I had to stop and begin redirecting my attention back to my heart. As evidenced by my multiple attempts, it’s not easy. In fact, it might be the hardest thing. To believe that everything is okay just the way it is, that nothing can be rushed, that everything is happening because it has a deeper meaning, and that it will all resolve the way it’s meant to – in a way that makes sense for everyone.
Surrender over control.
Accumulated energy
A second example involves the accumulation of too much energy in a specific area. It can be in the lower chakras, the upper chakras, or just a single chakra. A good example is the sacral chakra.
Sexual energy
The energy in the sacral chakra is our life-giving and therefore creative energy. If energy doesn’t flow freely through it, we have difficulties not only with experiencing our sexuality but also with any kind of creative process. We become overly rigid and unable to approach problems or situations with creativity.
On the other hand, if we are holding on to too much sexual energy, we may become focused solely on sexual satisfaction. Switching sexual partners may temporarily fulfill the desire, but it’s a double-edged sword. The frustration that follows is a clear message: we are wasting our creative energy. But this is meant more generally in terms of our relationships. If a person is in the process of expanding their consciousness, they often (or perhaps always) don’t feel the need to seek out casual or unfulfilling relationships. Instead, they tend to lean toward celibacy or focus their attention on a partner with whom they share a deeper connection.
I should also mention that this area is the source of many traumas and energetic blocks. Most of them tend to be the most deeply repressed, precisely because they are extremely painful. I don’t want to generalize the situation too much, but I believe that women in particular carry similar traumas across generations. These may include “expectations” around their appearance and physical attributes, sexual harassment, abuse, rape, or even just the simple “permission” to do something they don’t honestly want to do at that moment—like having sex with their partner just to “keep the peace.” Every one of these situations causes trauma that gets stored deep within us.
Male sexual traumas, from a particular perspective, can be even more difficult.
Sexual energy can be (and should be) used to experience connection and love between two people deeply or with ourselves (i.e., through white tantra techniques), or/and for creating, whether that means creating our life as a whole, or manifesting physical things, ideas, and visions.
Balance between inner masculine and inner feminine
When we experience an accumulation of energy in the lower or upper chakras, it usually indicates an imbalance between our inner masculine and feminine aspects.
The lower energy centers—root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras—are associated with the masculine principle. This includes connection to the material world, earning money and providing material security, discipline, protection, inner strength, determination, ambition, life stance, and following rules, etc.
In contrast, the upper chakras—heart, throat, third eye, and crown—are connected to the feminine approach. That means experiencing love, empathy, emotion, intuition, and ideas, as well as expressing feelings and emotions, and connecting with the spiritual realm.
Regardless of whether we are male or female, we can very easily lean toward one side.
This means that our life may revolve solely around material values and the pursuit of material security, or, on the contrary, we may focus only on spiritual study while rejecting everything that isn’t “spiritual enough”—such as earning money or dealing with everyday matters like offices and institutions.
There are many examples, and I will probably dedicate a separate article to this topic—I just wanted to outline the situation.
However, if this happens to us, we can reflect on which inner aspect is dominant and how to strengthen the other.
Individual chacras
I also recommend studying the individual energy centers and how their increased or decreased activity manifests. If we feel that energy has been blocked for an extended period (i.e., more than a few hours), we can support its flow by focusing on a possible cause related to the given energy center.
An example might be the throat chakra — if we feel pressure, blockage, difficulty swallowing, or have a weak and quiet voice, it may indicate underactivity. This means something needs to be expressed — speaking to someone, clearly saying what we need, what we dislike or enjoy, etc.
A good test is singing — if we can sing out loud with a strong and confident voice, this chakra is most likely not blocked. Another exercise is to speak out loud and say everything that’s on your heart, whether it’s addressed to yourself or someone else.
But remember (again and again): everything is energy — if you curse at someone (or yourself) and throw accusations, the person may not be consciously aware of it (unless they are on a higher level of awareness), but they will unconsciously feel the energy as unpleasant and angry. As a result, they may behave and respond to you accordingly.
Learn to express everything that needs to be said clearly and calmly — without blame or insults.
As someone who feels everything intensely, I can describe how I felt when someone had an issue with me and was “talking it out” from a distance. I felt immense pain in the solar plexus area (anger), and then heightened activity in the throat chakra — it was so strong that my throat started to hurt as if I had an infection. I couldn’t speak, I could only croak. I felt nauseous and overall very unwell. So, if you’re sending something like this to someone, you shouldn’t be surprised that, even if they are not consciously aware of it, they respond to you with hostility or coldness.
During this period, it is also common for conflicts with people to arise and for situations we struggle with to manifest. All of this happens so that we can understand our inner worth, what truly matters to us, and how to express ourselves authentically.
It usually involves things we have experienced multiple times in the past, and instead of standing up for ourselves, we choose to ignore them. The outside world reflects our inner state to us like a mirror.
It may almost seem like we have to spend all our free time in self-reflection and analyzing everything and everyone, but over time, this process becomes natural. There’s no need to search for hidden meanings in everything or take things personally. However, if a specific situation keeps repeating itself and causes us significant discomfort, it’s a clear indicator that it’s something we need to address.
What helps to calm negative side effects
Once, I pondered the question of to what extent we have free will. I found the answer in an old book by an author who published under the pseudonym Pierre Lasenic — a significant figure in the field of Hermeticism during the interwar period.
Our free will operates in the realm of our consciousness — that is, in what we feel, how we react, what we choose, and how we approach things. Another part is the will of our soul, meaning the unconscious, and the third part is the will of the Whole. This means that everything happens at the right time, in a way that makes sense for all beings. Ideally, all three parts are in harmony. However, it is often our personal will that creates resistance (the ego), and that is what causes us problems.
Based on what we can work with — that is, our personal will — there are ways to come into harmony with the other aspects of will. This not only reduces the adverse side effects of expanding consciousness but also brings about inner peace and the experience of love and blessing.
I managed to enter this state several times. And it is beautiful. I felt my connection with the Whole, love in my heart, and a deep sense of peace. My wishes manifested quickly, and everything worked out precisely as I needed — without any conscious effort. Synchronicities appeared as indicators of the next step, unexpected serendipities unfolded, problems found their solutions, new ideas came to me, my energy increased, and I felt joy for life. People treated me kindly and expressed happiness just to be around me.
In this context, it is also important to remember that our soul is the pure energy of unconditional love. We might ask, if the soul is love, why does it allow us to feel unpleasant emotions, pain, and suffering? To understand this, we must realize that the soul does not experience emotions or pain as we do — these are connected to our emotional and physical bodies. For the soul, everything is simply an experience — one that serves to raise our vibration and, in essence, expand our consciousness. The soul does not wish for us to suffer, but rather to evolve, to ascend to a higher state of being where our energy resonates on a finer, more elevated frequency. I will share more about this in the section titled “How this serves us.”
Everyone finds their path; however, there are a few things that generally help:
Heart meditation
Meditation naturally becomes an integral part of our lives. It is a moment when a person is simply alone with themselves, not trying to figure anything out — just resting. Heart chakra meditation is more specific because it focuses on feeling love and opening the heart. If we choose to meditate — whether with music, a guided meditation, or on our own — on a specific chakra, the heart is the most important one, as everything else stems from it. An open heart helps us see everything through the lens of love, and therefore supports all the other chakras as well.
Journaling and art expression
Writing down dreams, visions, ideas, and events is highly beneficial. We can discover recurring themes, patterns of thinking, and analyze each problem down to its core — because in our thoughts, we often repeat the exact phrases and never get any further.
Art therapy, or any other creative process, can enrich us not only through the act of creation itself (which works like meditation), but also by allowing us to express emotions or memories more precisely — as sometimes words are not enough, or we don’t feel like describing something verbally because it’s too painful. In art therapy (just like in dreaming), information often emerges in the form of symbols. While some symbols are archetypal, their interpretation is usually individual. Our unconscious communicates with us in a way that we, personally, can understand. I explored this process more deeply in an article on dream interpretation.
Other types of therapy: Artistic expression is, of course, not the only way to discover something about yourself. There are many types of treatment with specific focuses — inner child work, trauma healing, shadow work, and so on. Try anything that sparks your curiosity. However, if you choose to visit a therapist, make sure they are a professional, and also pay close attention to how you feel in their presence. If your intuition tells you something is off, leave. You are not obligated to explain anything to anyone, suppress an uncomfortable feeling, or go through something that doesn’t feel right just because you’re already there.
When I visited my Reiki healer for the first time, I felt as if we had known each other for years. Her energy is pleasant and gentle; she doesn’t force her opinions on me — we simply discuss where we both feel increased energy, and then we usually spend a few hours just talking about life.
I also tried regression therapy. I did it on my own using a guided meditation. The advantage was that I was alone and therefore didn’t feel uncomfortable releasing emotions; however, the downside is that the “therapist” cannot pause or focus on a particular area based on your reactions. Still, it was beneficial. I came across a story replete with symbolism (e.g., a burning tower — symbolizing the death of the ego), which led me to wonder whether it was a past life or simply a message from my unconscious, presented in a dream-like form. I saw very clearly the dynamics and patterns of behavior and thinking that I still carry in this life, just set in a different environment and under various life circumstances.
One particularly striking moment was when the therapist instructed us to see our old age and how we died. At that point, I saw nothing… and soon realized it was because I hadn’t died of old age. Immediately after this realization, I experienced my death — suicide in my current age, and everything that followed. It was so intense that whenever I recall it, I feel the same pain I caused through that act. And to be honest, I’ve never told anyone about it, because I can’t bring myself to talk about it.
Mirroring
A beneficial technique is mirroring (mirror effect or mirror work), where we become aware that other people and external situations reflect our inner state. Conflicts and arguments with others can indicate an internal conflict (between the ego and the heart). Or someone may say something that makes us angry. We can ask ourselves: “What truth is there in this statement?”, “Do I agree or disagree with it, and why?”, “What is the truth, and why does it trigger resistance in me?”, “If it’s true, what can I do to change the situation?”, and so on.
Changing perspective
A shift in perspective can come through studying spiritual literature or simply by physically changing our surroundings. It’s like when we keep repeating the exact phrases in our minds. If we stay in the same environment, it’s hard to discover new ways of thinking and new insights. Traveling, wandering in nature, visiting new places — all of these help us break free from the routine of everyday existence.
Grounding
When the flow of energy becomes too intense, grounding is essential. What helps me the most is engaging in physical work, spending time in nature, eating a balanced diet, swimming in natural waters, taking salt baths, and enjoying the material aspects of life, as well as taking care of my physical body.
Reiki
I discovered Reiki “by chance” at the beginning of my process of expanding consciousness. Even during the first session, I noticed that it had a significant effect on me. I remember that in one particular area, the energy was so intense that the heat generated during the treatment became so strong that the healer had to move on to another part of the body because it was unbearable — for both of us. Or when I had energy stuck in the lower chakras and couldn’t do anything about it. After the session, I felt the energy rising so powerfully that I had the sensation of floating. Reiki is beneficial for allowing energy to flow smoothly. However, I’ve noticed that things often seem to get significantly worse after a session — this is because the blocks that restrict the flow of energy are being removed. Still, this is an essential part of the process, as it leads to gradual cleansing and, ultimately, an improvement in the situation.
Alone time
Given our circumstances, it’s crucial to make time for ourselves. Sometimes it’s hard to explain to others that my decision to be alone has nothing to do with them. Honestly, I feel best when I’m by myself. I’ve found that the company of other people benefits me only in very limited doses. If someone is sensitive to the energies of others and to external stimuli, solitude is absolutely essential for recovery and calming the system.
However, isolating ourselves from people entirely is neither possible nor beneficial. This is especially true if we withdraw to avoid uncomfortable or emotionally charged confrontations. We cannot expect others to automatically adapt to our changes or understand our feelings without us expressing them. They may also be confused by the change in our behavior, especially if it disrupts established routines. The frustration that builds up on both sides is not helpful to anyone, which is why it is essential to clarify the situation and explain what needs to be explained.
Authenticity
As I’ve already mentioned, on the path of the heart, everything that is not truthful disappears from our lives. And the opposite is also true — a person gradually and naturally becomes more authentic, simply because they can no longer pretend or lie. That’s why I recommend spending time only with people you feel good around and limiting time with others to what is necessary. I have no problem declining an invitation to… anything, if I don’t feel good about it. Or stepping away if I feel there’s too much external stimulation. It’s better than suppressing emotions or saying something that can’t be taken back.
Avoid stressful situations
Of course, this can only be done to a certain extent, as we don’t deliberately expose ourselves to stressful situations. However, we can influence what we give our attention to — meaning, I don’t read the news, I don’t watch videos or films that deal with unpleasant topics for me — anything tragic or sad. In fact, I use the internet only to a minimal extent, because typical social media content feels “unpleasant” to me. If someone shifts the conversation to a topic that evokes uncomfortable emotions, I change the subject or simply walk away. I’m sure this will ease over time, but since I’m already “dealing” with many of my own “demons,” I don’t feel the need to add more.
Don’t create additional trauma
Most of our traumas come from childhood — a time when we didn’t have control over our lives, nor the strength or awareness to prevent or deal with unpleasant experiences. But if we are adults and therefore responsible for ourselves, it is up to us to protect our energy.
I experienced firsthand how this works. Some time ago, “with good intentions,” I did something I didn’t want to do. I felt that I could deny myself for the sake of someone else. However, in doing so, I caused myself trauma. Immediately afterward, I felt the need to cry — but I couldn’t, because I had to go into the city to take care of something. While I was there, I “forgot” about the whole situation, shifted my focus elsewhere, and felt calm. Nothing seemed to bother me anymore… but I knew it had settled inside. Later, when I finally had time alone, all the emotions came out, and I had to remind myself again why I cannot act against myself. I also promised myself I would never do it again — which, in truth, creates even more discomfort and frustration. And that’s because acting against ourselves is sometimes easier and more familiar than standing up for our own truth.
At the same time, it’s also true that we often see things in our minds in an overly dark or dramatic way. Sometimes, all it takes is talking to someone and expressing our point of view, and the situation becomes clearer. Often, this leads to necessary changes — ones we naturally avoid (the ego), because they trigger fear of the unknown.
Surrender
Surrender does not mean that we are apathetic, let others make decisions for us, hand over responsibility to someone else, or make excuses based on an unfavorable fate or the inability to change something simply because we don’t know how. Surrender means recognizing that everything happens for a reason — a reason we usually understand only later. It also means having faith that everything meant for us will come at the right time, that nothing can be rushed, and that the only thing we can truly control — and even that only to a certain extent — is a part of our own will.
This applies to the process of expanding consciousness as well as to anything else in life. I’ve heard of people who, during the process of opening their chakras or going through an “energetic update,” tried to control and manipulate the energy consciously. The result was very unpleasant — similar to when I tried to suppress this energy myself. The only thing we can truly do is to let everything flow and not interfere with the process using our own opinions and beliefs.
Humility and appreciation
The same conditions, but a different perspective. When we focus too much on what we dislike, we create a field of unhelpful energy around us. As a result, everything only gets worse. People treat us more poorly, leading to an increase in conflicts and misunderstandings. As a result, nothing seems to work out, and everything appears even worse than it is.
Having humility and appreciating what we do like is important because it shifts our energy into something beneficial. That means things start going well, people naturally help us and treat us with kindness, situations become clearer, and synchronicities and serendipities begin to appear. And yet, we’re still in the same environment, with the same people, and in the same circumstances. The key difference is that everything can either deteriorate or start moving in the direction we desire. Everything is constantly changing — nothing is permanent — but it depends on how it changes.
Naturally, I also tend to seek harmony in relationships within my family and with the people around me (such as neighbors). I don’t involve myself in other people’s problems, but if they arise, I try to help find a peaceful solution. I don’t gossip, stir up conflicts or hatred among people, or pit them against each other.
On the contrary, I’m happy when people get along well and are content. You could say this is natural — but how many people deliberately do the opposite? I know many who do.
Physical movement and rest
These are crucial for the free flow of energy. Ideally, practices such as yoga (though in this case, I do not recommend Kundalini yoga — and if you do choose it, only under the guidance of someone truly experienced who understands your current energetic state), swimming, or walking in nature are most beneficial. I have also mentioned that grounding can be supported through physically demanding work. However, it all depends on how you feel.
If your chakras are opening or you’re undergoing an energetic upgrade, rest or only gentle movement may be far more beneficial. Sometimes, more simply isn’t possible. It is important to honor this and not push yourself to do something just because you think you “should” — especially if you’re feeling the need to rest.
Energetic shifts can be physically demanding, and the body needs time to adjust to the new frequency.
Present moment
Staying in the present moment is deeply connected to surrender — to allowing things to flow without resistance. It means not dwelling unnecessarily on the past — on what should or shouldn’t have happened — and not clinging too tightly to the future with thoughts like, “I’ll be happy when…” or “I’ll wait until…”.
The only thing we truly have is the present moment.
You can take a moment to reflect on what brings you joy — what you love to see, feel, or do. Then ask yourself: how often do I allow myself to experience these things?
It doesn’t have to be anything grand, like traveling to an exotic destination. It can be as simple as enjoying a good cup of coffee, gazing at the mountains, and allowing yourself to be undisturbed.
Self-love
When I was writing the part about how it isn’t necessary to discuss the past with other people, a specific example came to mind. I know a man who began working on his inner state and concluded that everything stemmed from the lack of love his father showed him. He decided to confront him directly, asking why he had always treated him coldly, even cruelly, never appreciated him, and never showed him love. The result was that his father didn’t know what he was talking about or why he was even asking. After this conversation, this man was even angrier and more frustrated.
The truth is that many people don’t even know why they acted the way they did. It may be due to their upbringing and the environment in which their behavioral patterns were formed, their current psychological state, and the problems they were dealing with at the time, or countless other reasons. And even if his father had apologized and repeated a thousand times that he loved him, but just didn’t know how to show it, he still wouldn’t have believed him. He would only have continued to blame him for everything he now struggles with.
At the same time, each of us not only creates our destiny but also all of our connections — whether they are karmic relationships, twin flame bonds, or brief and “random” encounters and situations with other people. This means that we have contributed to their creation because we needed them for some reason — a reason we usually discover through more profound reflection on the situation and its consequences.
Therefore, if we want to forgive (an act of self-love), we must do so on three levels: forgive the person for treating us poorly, forgive ourselves for allowing it to happen, and ask that person for forgiveness for having used them for our lesson.
This idea sometimes provokes resistance, because no one wants to admit that they might have ever wanted to experience something painful, let alone that they deliberately “used” someone else. But think about how true this is.
Our worth and the level of our self-love do not depend on the family we come from, the environment around us, the size of our salary, the education we achieved in school, our material accomplishments, or the opinions, comments, and beliefs of other people. Our worth and self-love arise from within ourselves. Their depth may be reflected (mirrored) in others, but they are not defined by them.
Are we capable of loving ourselves unconditionally? That is, treating ourselves well, speaking kindly about ourselves, being able to appreciate ourselves, not judging, not criticizing, not blaming ourselves. Can we forgive ourselves? How do we react when something doesn’t work out for us? Do we like ourselves? Do we believe in our abilities? Compare your answers with how you would respond to the same situation if it were happening to someone you genuinely love. That is how you will find out where you stand with self-love.
A few days ago, I opened YouTube for the first time in a long while. A video appeared from a channel I had never seen before, and beneath it was a comment that particularly caught my attention. It seemed to be from an older man who had devoted his life to hard work and self-sacrifice for the well-being of others. A portion of the quote read:
“(…) Living a life of loneliness and without joy is perhaps the most tragic fate that can befall a person. (…) Live your life for yourselves. Don’t try to please anyone else; instead, seek out and find what makes you happy. (…)”
Have you ever noticed that the more a person sacrifices themselves for others, the more it often comes back to them in a negative way? Others begin to see their help and efforts as something expected — not only unappreciated, but sometimes even turned against them.
This is because we are not meant to live in self-sacrifice.
Especially not while secretly hoping for appreciation or recognition in return — in any form.
Self-love means that we are the most important person to ourselves. And it has nothing to do with selfishness or ignoring the needs of others when necessary.
What is the purpose of expanding consciousness?
If you’re in the same phase as I am — or perhaps just at the beginning — you might find yourself wondering: What is all this really for?
There are times (often marked by resistance) when it can feel like pure chaos — almost like a punishment for something we can’t quite understand.
The general understanding is this: when our consciousness expands, energy flows more freely through us. As a result, we begin to live in more profound harmony — with ourselves and with the world around us.
We’re able to fully access our inner potential and unique gifts, and use them to create the life we truly desire consciously.
In doing so, we naturally support others in finding their path, raising their vibration, and stepping into a life of greater joy and alignment.
There are many theories — perhaps as many as there are people. As for what my truth is, I’m not entirely sure yet. I’m still in a phase of cleansing and learning how to work with energies.
That said, as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve experienced moments where I entered this deeply desired state of being. I believe the vibration is so high that it’s not easy to maintain — yet it is a beautiful experience nonetheless.
To feel love and peace within your heart is the most profound and beautiful experience one can have.
And practically?
From a practical perspective, I’m already beginning to notice several profound changes. One of the most significant is a heightened sense of empathy and understanding. You stop judging the actions and behavior of others, stop labeling them, and instead begin to observe from a place of neutrality.
But this doesn’t mean you become apathetic, or that you stop feeling emotions. Instead, it means that emotions no longer control you or create inner blocks.
You simply feel them — and then, naturally, they pass. There’s no need to hold onto them or suppress them. And because of that, they no longer carry the same intensity.
I have also noticed a significant increase in energy. Tasks that used to take me hours I can now accomplish in just a few minutes — and much more efficiently. Sometimes I even surprise myself with how quickly I manage to complete something I either didn’t know how to do or simply didn’t feel like starting.
Because of this, I also feel a reduced need for food. I’ve mentioned before the importance of eating nourishing meals, and this is one reason why — sometimes I can go the whole day without eating and not feel hungry at all. But when that happens, the energy can become almost too strong, and I need grounding; otherwise, it can lead to an intense headache.
You might say this is normal and happens to everyone… but I can feel there is a difference. The same goes for other physical symptoms that bring physical pain. The difference is that no painkiller helps, and the pain can disappear in a single second.
Another interesting aspect is that I feel compelled to push my limits constantly. The moment I begin to master a situation and wish to “pause” there because it feels comfortable, it’s as if I’m not allowed to — I have to keep moving forward.
If I choose to remain in the familiar despite this inner pull, nothing works out. It’s as though everything turns against me, which in turn stirs resistance and even anger — a surge of energy that seems to be necessary for change.
At the same time, once I make a decision, there is no turning back.
Vegetable garden example
As an example, I can mention my vegetable garden. A year ago, I told myself that the following year I would plant only a few vegetables in the greenhouse, because I simply didn’t have the time to care for the entire garden. Gardening is a year-round commitment — preparing the soil, starting seedlings, tending to them, weeding, watering, and so on.
As the only one in my family doing this work, I had no “free” time left for anything else.
And yet, under the influence of others, I once again began working on the garden — and wanted it to be precisely in line with the principles I described in the Simple Gardening section.
In doing so, I acted against my original decision.
So, what happened?
For several months, I prepared the entire space and the soil and planted seeds in the greenhouse. When the seedlings grew strong enough, I transplanted them into the ground. They thrived and began to bloom.
Then, one night, an animal — either a deer or a small wild boar — entered my garden and ate all the plants. I secured the area more thoroughly and replanted new seedlings (I always grow extras).
Soon after, a storm came and damaged them all. I tended to them, and for a while it seemed they would recover.
Until an animal appeared again and dug them out of the soil, I gathered what was left and replanted it in a different location.
Then came a torrential downpour that caused landslides — not only were all our paths blocked by stones, and one nearby house collapsed, but the water also buried my entire garden under mud and shards of broken glass. Every plant destroyed, the soil is filled with debris.
This experience reminded me of something important: when we make a decision, we must stand by it — even if others don’t understand it.
It may look like a coincidence, but I can’t help but wonder: how is it that, despite all my effort and care, everything was destroyed… while my neighbors’ gardens were full of harvest, untouched by the torrential rain? The downpour caused no damage to them at all.
Everything happened only in my street, around my house and garden — even though it rained over the whole area and animals roam freely everywhere.
Sometimes, life places us in situations that push us to face the deeper meaning of our choices. Perhaps this was not about the vegetables at all, but about whether I would honor my original decision — or whether I would allow outside influences to steer me off my path.
Example with a good ending
I have another example, from the same environment. I’m a person who enjoys order — a space that is tidy, beautiful, and full of flowers and all the little details that create a sense of harmony.
When I began caring for my gardens (I have four of them), the first thing I did was clear away the mess left by the previous owners — pipes, wires, nylon ropes, pieces of metal, and so on.
Much of it remained on the property simply because I had no way of disposing of it. One of the reasons there is so much clutter in Italy is that it’s not easy to take such waste to a recycling or disposal center (as is common in other countries) — but I won’t go into the details here.
The point is that I had accumulated waste on the property, which no one was willing to take away.
At first, it frustrated me. But then I simply let it be. I focused on what I could take care of and left the rest without giving it my attention.
One day, a man appeared in front of my house with a van. At first, I thought he was part of a new municipal service (how naïve of me), because just a few days earlier, we had a meeting with the mayor where people complained about the accumulated waste scattered everywhere.
But it turned out that this man was not from the municipal office at all. When I spoke with him, he told me he was a gypsy who lived in a settlement right next to the recycling center. His work consists of moving furniture for people or clearing spaces full of waste — and whatever he can salvage, he sells to the recycling center.
He also told me that on that particular day, he had an appointment with a woman who wanted to clear out a property, but when he arrived, she canceled. Not wanting to return home with an empty van, he decided to drive around in search of a place where he might find scrap metal and other valuable materials.
By “coincidence”, he came to my village — and my street (even if 80 km away from the original place). I gave him all the waste he could fit into his van, and both of us were happy with the exchange.
That same day, the weather was beautiful, and the work on my wooden house was progressing. Then, a neighbor appeared, saying he wanted to tell us something.
This was a neighbor I could hardly stand — aggressive, vindictive, and unkind to both his family and his animals.
He told us he had decided to start over: he was moving away and leaving his house behind.
And I thought to myself, how beautifully everything is unfolding.
When we stop forcing and simply align with our truth, life begins to clear the path for us — in ways we could never plan. But the tests we must face grow harder. We are constantly “examined” — challenged to see whether we can truly live what we have learned, or whether we will slip back into solving situations from a place of low vibration.
Low vibrations, though unpleasant and unwanted, are our comfort zone — because we have lived in them for most of our lives.
And I have countless examples like these — each day brings something new, even without me focusing too much on the meaning of events, the symbols, or synchronicities. Yet often they are so improbable and striking that they cannot be ignored.
Another apparent change is heightened intuition — though that is tied to everything I’ve already described. I don’t mention any specific “gifts” that have emerged for me, nor the exact cause of my awakening process. Simply because it’s not necessary, each person has their reasons and conditions; what I share here is universal.
I will explore each section in greater detail in future articles. And after some time has passed, I’ll also write another piece sharing my new insights.
The last thing I want to mention is lightness and playfulness. Play, laugh, and approach life with ease.