The Courage to Wake Up: A Spiritual Awakening Reflection

By Trish Briggs

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what spiritual awakening really means.

The word “woke” gets used often in our culture now - and not always kindly. For a brief moment, I noticed myself shrinking from it. I wondered if being “awake” was something I should downplay or keep quiet.

But when I think about my own spiritual awakening journey, I realize it has never been about labels. It has been about awareness - about becoming more conscious of my thoughts, my reactions, and the way I move through the world.

And that kind of awareness takes courage.

Becoming more awake and self-aware has been one of the hardest - and most meaningful - parts of my personal growth. For me, awakening isn’t a trend. It feels more like a gradual peeling back. A noticing. A willingness to look at myself more closely.

It has meant recognizing patterns I would rather ignore.

It has meant questioning beliefs I inherited without examination.

It has meant taking responsibility for my reactions instead of blaming circumstances or other people.

None of that has been particularly comfortable. But it has been freeing.

What Spiritual Awakening Has Taught Me

As my awareness has deepened, I’ve also noticed a shift in how I see others. I don’t feel the same urgency to convince or correct. I’m more interested in understanding. I’ve become more aware that every person is carrying a story I may never fully see.

That awareness has softened me.

Not into passivity — but into compassion.

I still have opinions. I still have convictions. But I feel less threatened by the fact that someone else’s path looks different from mine. I don’t need our stories to match in order to honor them.

One of the most meaningful changes spiritual awakening has brought me is a sense of choice. When I’m not paying attention, I slip into autopilot. I react quickly. I assume. I defend.

When I slow down and practice conscious living, I realize I have agency. I can choose how I respond. I can choose what aligns with my values. I can choose the kind of person I want to be - even when it’s inconvenient.

That awareness hasn’t made life easier. If anything, it has asked more of me.

But I would rather live engaged with my own growth than asleep to it.

Spiritual awakening, for me, is not a destination but an ongoing process of becoming more aware and intentional. Choosing awareness - even when it’s uncomfortable - has been one of the most transformative parts of my personal development journey.

So whatever language the world uses, I know this: I am grateful for the work it took to wake up a little more. And I hope I continue waking up - layer by layer - for the rest of my life.