Spiritual Awakening Isn’t the End

Why Real Growth Requires Integration

We’ve all heard the story: the burned-out employee. Tired of grinding away at someone else's dream. Eventually, they hit a breaking point. Everything burns to the ground, and in the ashes they discover yoga, meditation, tai chi—or begin volunteering. They realise the connection to something meaningful is what’s been missing all along.

It is a powerful story. But it’s only the beginning.

The deeper truth is that spirituality is just one part of the healing journey. Real transformation happens with integration….

As American monk Thomas Merton once said:

“People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.”

I have the opposite story

While others were climbing their ladders, I turned inward. Traumatized by the education system and numbing myself through addiction in my teens, I eventually found a spiritual path that gave me something I hadn’t felt in years—peace.

A non-dual experience in meditation changed everything. The whole world disappeared for what could have been a second or an eternity, and when I returned I was a different person.

Spiritual Immersion… and the Hidden Danger

From there, I travelled the world. I lived in rainforests, studied shamanism, and immersed myself in ashram life. For over a decade, my connection to the divine was my number one priority.

But something unexpected happened: my multiple crises I experienced didn’t come from a lack of spirituality—it came from disconnection to the physical, mundane world.

I wasn’t climbing the wrong ladder. But I had forgotten the importance of the ground beneath it.

Before Enlightenment, Chop Wood. After Enlightenment…

There’s a Zen saying: “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

That’s integration.

It’s what happens after you receive the insight—when you return to the world, with something to give.

Spirit and Soul: Two Sides of the Sacred

In my understanding, Spirit and Soul are distinct but connected.

Spirit is collective. It’s infinite and all-inclusive. It’s the place where there is no separation—where you and I are one.

Soul, on the other hand, is your unique slice of Spirit. It’s your preferences, your family, your particular joys and heartbreaks. It’s what calls you to contribute in your own way.

Think of Spirit as electricity. The same source powers everything. But a lightbulb, a toaster, and a washing machine each use that power differently. Try making toast in a washing machine and you’ll understand why discovering your soul’s purpose is one of the most important things you can do.

What Is Purpose?

Purpose is the soul’s desire to fully express itself in the world. It’s not a job title, but your deepest longing. An acorn's soul purpose is to become an oak tree, and when you hear a robin perched on its branch singing in a way only a robin can, that is a living example of soul expressing.

Your soul is always trying to show you who you really are. Sometimes in whispers. Other times it screams. But if ignored for long enough, it may retreat, waiting for another chance to fully express itself—perhaps even in another lifetime.

Please don’t let that happen.

How Do You Connect to Soul?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But most of us have a dominant way our soul speaks to us:

• Clairvoyance (seeing)

• Clairaudience (hearing)

• Clairsentience (feeling)

• Claircognizance (knowing)

The first step is stillness. Get quiet enough to feel. Sensitive enough to notice. Over time, all of these senses can awaken.

In Yoga, we adopt a Sattvic diet—non-exciting foods and minimal stimulation—to create this inner sensitivity.

Difficult in modern culture. But powerful.

Try a Soul Retreat

You don’t need to move to an ashram or live in the jungle. But a few days of deep stillness can make a huge difference.

Here’s a prep list for a mini-soul retreat to try for 3 days:

• No meat or animal products

• No garlic, onions, chilli, or heavy spices

• No social media, phone, or screens

• No sex or external stimulation

• No contact with others (unless they’re joining you)

• No drugs or alcohol

• No to do list

Do this at a nice location with plenty of access to nature, and combine with a routine like the one I share below. This is the environment where the soul begins to speak.

Daily Practice: A Meeting Place for You and Soul

Your lifestyle must support your spiritual practice—or your practice must meet you where you are.

If you’re anxious, sleep-deprived, or jacked up on coffee, jumping straight into meditation can feel like torture.

That’s why in Yoga we begin with:

1. Asana – movement

2. Pranayama – breath

3. Meditation – stillness

Find what works. Move if you can’t be still. Breathe if you can’t focus. But above all, be with yourself, every day, without distraction.

Do this for a few months… and you will start to develop an ongoing relationship with your soul.

Spirit: What You Give, You Receive

Can I let you in on a secret?

What you put into the world, returns to you.

Distrust breeds distrust. Half-truths bring confusion.

But…

Forgiveness brings peace.
Truth brings clarity.
Love brings more love.

Spirit is infinite. You get to choose which part of that infinity you live in.

Choose wisely.

Integration: Your Gift to the Whole

Soul work isn’t selfish. It’s how we each become a vital organ in the great body of the universe.

You are not here to transcend the world. You are here to bring something sacred to it.

The path isn’t always straightforward—but bringing spirit down into your body to share your uniqueness with the world is what you’re here to do.

You can start listening today.

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Integrative Spiritual Mentorship 🌙✨
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In this soul-led mentorship, we move through life’s sacred seasons together — honouring the rhythms of growth 🌸, release 🍂, rest ❄️, and renewal 🌞.

Guided by ancient wisdom and deep listening, we’ll uncover your soul’s purpose and help you navigate times of transition, awakening, and transformation. 🔮

Are you ready to take the next step?
✨ Book a free 20-minute consultation call with me and let’s explore your path. 🌿