So what is a spiritual awakening? How can we know if we have had one? Does it mean we practice a particular religion or adopt a particular set of beliefs?

These are common questions of people in recovery. A good starting point is further inquiry into a person’s spiritual practices, feelings of connection to the Divine or general beliefs in this regard.

If a person doesn’t identify with any particular spiritual path or tradition, looking at any faith-based practices of one’s childhood can be a source of valuable information. If he or she was raised in a particular religious faith, it can be helpful to revisit this tradition to see if it might touch his or her heart in some way and help him or her become more spiritually directed. Being part of a community of faith reaps even greater benefits, the rewards of which are like-minded people with whom to relate, charity and tradition, combined with opportunities for quiet reflecting.

However, sometimes people have been hurt or disappointed in religious institutions, in which case, some other form of spiritual practice or path can be explored.

Learning about and trying a meditation practice, as well as body-based practices such as yoga or qi gong, provide other opportunities to increase the mind-body-spirit connection. Delving into Eastern and Western spiritual thought and practice, and learning how the two can complement each other is a point of spiritual awakening for some. For others it comes through learning about the spiritual understandings and practices of indigenous people throughout the world, who generally find their spiritual life in an intimate relationship between themselves and the natural world.

For instance, Jungian tradition encourages an introduction to the world of symbol and metaphors, helping the seekers learn to decode their night-time dreams for spiritual and practical guidance. The practice of creating art, whether it be the painting of Mandalas (an Eastern spiritual art form) or Retablos or ex votos (a Mexican art form in which gratitude is expressed), people can access the divine spark. In addition, making symbolic creations such as “death arrows” and “life arrows” to symbolize what needs to be put to death in one’s personal life and what needs to be brought to life can be highly spiritual events.

In the Native American tradition, the Medicine Wheel is seen as a blueprint for life and can be a path to spiritual awakening. Listening to White Bison teachings provide much spiritual guidance and a depth of understanding regarding the seen and unseen worlds. People learn to listen deeply to one another in Talking Circles, and learn to drum the I Ching to balance brain hemispheres.

In other words, a spectacular buffet of possibilities serves to enrich a person’s spiritual life, both in a therapy format and in retreats and workshops.

In certain therapy groups, the practice of the Four-Fold Way, as taught by Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., leads clients into deeper spiritual realms. The practices are as follows:

1. Show up and choose to be present. This means that we are wherever we are by our own agreement. We do not fall back on excuses about how someone “made” us do something or go somewhere. We are our own agent. And, so long as we have chosen to show up, we agree to be fully present for the experience…no half-hearted participation.
2. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. This means that we cut to the chase when listening to others and expressing ourselves, either verbally or behaviorally. We are not distracted by unimportant details, we do not indulge in drama and we listen to our own heart, as well as the hearts of others. We search for the meaning behind words and actions.
3. Tell the truth without blame or judgment. We recognize that our truth is what we know right now, and it could change with the addition of new information. Though we attempt to be graceful and sensitive in speaking our truth, we also say what is so when it is so, without apology. We speak the truth without blaming or judging others.
4. Lastly, be open to outcome, but not attached to outcome. Adopting the previous three practices requires courage. It is the work of spiritual warriors. When we do the first three, we must be ready to accept whatever outcome emerges. We must let go of our hidden — or not-so-hidden — agendas and have an attitude of curiosity and acceptance. This practice of being open to outcomes, but not attached to them, allows us to grow spiritually and makes room for others to do the same without our attempts to manipulate and control.

When we can consciously practice the Four-Fold Way, all of our relationships improve (though sometimes improvement means bringing a relationship to honorable closure) and our self-esteem heals and remains intact.

As part of spiritual awakening, it can help to look to the research in the area of Positive Psychology, which is expanding with the work of psychologists such as Dr. Martin Seligman and Dr. Dacher Keltner. For instance, new research has established the positive effects of group singing for mood enhancement and group cohesion.

In keeping with a deep commitment to diversity and multiculturalism, which is often connected to spiritual awakening, this author produced a day of learning African American history through oral tradition (song and story). Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of the a cappella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock presented this important part of American history for professional continuing education. The group kept track through pre- and post-tests of mood and level of group cohesion. They learned by singing … all day long! At the beginning of the day the group could not keep time, nor sing together. By the end of the day, they had not only had learned the facts of the curriculum, but were even singing seven-part harmony. This made for a profoundly spiritual experience. (This wonderful day will be repeated in Northern California on August 21, 2010.)

And so it is that spiritual awakening takes many forms. It is a vital part of recovery, not only from alcoholism or addiction, but recovery from a multitude of psychological and emotional challenges too. As Native Americans say, we are meant to break the dysfunctional patterns of our lineage in order to bring forward the good, the true and the beautiful from our ancestry to improve ourselves, our families, our communities, our nations and, ultimately, the world. It is a tall order, of course. But, it is accomplished one person at a time embarking on a spiritual journey.