Spiritual Awakening or Existential Crisis? How to Tell
One of the most confusing seasons of life is when your inner world begins to shift so dramatically that you no longer recognize yourself. For some, it feels like sudden insight, freedom, and joy. For others, it feels like dread, emptiness, or despair.
The big question arises: “Am I going through a spiritual awakening—or am I in an existential crisis?”
This guide will help you discern the difference. You’ll learn:
What a spiritual awakening actually is.
What an existential crisis is.
The signs and overlaps between the two.
How to know which you’re experiencing.
Practical steps to navigate either path.
For the bigger picture of spiritual lostness, see Spiritually Lost? The Complete Guide to Finding Your Way.
What Is a Spiritual Awakening?
Spiritual awakening is the process of seeing reality in a new light. It often involves:
A sense of expanded awareness.
Realization that your old identity or beliefs no longer define you.
Increased compassion and connection to others.
Insights into the interconnectedness of life.
Awakenings can be gentle or dramatic. Sometimes they feel like bliss. Other times, they come with turbulence—similar to what mystics call the Dark Night of the Soul: A Modern Reading.
What Is an Existential Crisis?
An existential crisis is when you confront the fundamental questions of life head-on:
What is the meaning of life?
Why am I here?
What’s the point of my existence?
Unlike awakening, which can open into greater connection, an existential crisis often feels like collapse. It brings:
Emptiness, nihilism, or despair.
Disorientation in purpose and direction.
A sense of being cut off from meaning.
This is part of the broader Meaning Crisis: Why Life Feels Empty (and What Helps).
Similarities Between the Two
Awakening and crisis can look almost identical at first. Both can bring:
Intense questioning of beliefs.
Emotional turbulence.
Disruption of identity.
Loneliness or alienation from old communities.
It’s no wonder people confuse them.
The Key Differences
Aspect Spiritual Awakening Existential Crisis Core Experience Expansion of awareness Collapse of meaning Emotions Wonder, connection (with turbulence) Emptiness, dread, despair Direction Opens to new growth Feels like a dead end Energy Sense of aliveness despite difficulty Fatigue, heaviness, apathy Outcome New clarity and compassion Risk of cynicism or stagnation
Stories of Awakening vs Crisis
Amira: During meditation, Amira felt her boundaries dissolve into unity with everything. Though confusing, she felt awe and peace. This was awakening.
James: After losing his job, James felt life was meaningless. He questioned everything but found no joy. This was existential crisis.
Sophia: After faith deconstruction, Sophia felt both freedom and despair. In time, through journaling and guidance, she discovered this overlap was the bridge between the two.
For more on faith collapse, see Faith Deconstruction: Losing Beliefs, Finding Integrity.
When Awakening Feels Like Crisis
Awakenings are not always blissful. In fact, many begin as crises. The old self breaks down before the new emerges.
This is the territory of the Dark Night of the Soul.
It can look like Spiritual Dryness or Desolation.
It may even resemble breakdown, sometimes mistaken for psychosis. For clarity, see Spiritual Awakening vs Psychosis: Safety, Grounding, Help.
When Crisis Leads to Awakening
An existential crisis doesn’t always end in despair. Sometimes, facing emptiness forces a deeper question that opens the door to awakening.
Grief can shatter meaning but also awaken compassion. See Grief, Loss, and Feeling Spiritually Cut Off.
Midlife crisis often strips old identities, paving the way for authenticity. See Midlife Spiritual Crisis: Rewriting Identity with Compassion.
Practical Steps: Navigating Either Path
If You’re Awakening
Ground your body with Qi Gong for the Spiritually Lost: Ground, Centre, Reconnect.
Keep a journal using Journaling Prompts for Lostness, Doubt, and Dryness.
Connect with safe community, as in Relationships During a Spiritual Crisis: Boundaries & Repair.
If You’re in Existential Crisis
Start small: breath, routine, and grounding. Try Breathwork When You Feel Spiritually Disconnected.
Allow grief to be felt. Read Grief, Loss, and Feeling Spiritually Cut Off.
Explore meaning gently with Shadow Work Without Overwhelm: A Gentle Path Back to Self.
When to Seek Help
If either awakening or crisis feels overwhelming, it’s time to reach for support. If despair deepens, or reality feels unstable, guidance is vital.
See When to Get Help: Therapy, Coaching, or a Meraki Guide? for clarity on safe next steps.
Emerging on the Other Side
Whether you are awakening or in crisis, the journey leads somewhere. Those who stay with it often discover:
A more authentic self.
Compassion that grows from struggle.
A deeper trust in life.
A spirituality no longer based on fear, but on love.
Taking the Next Step
If you are unsure whether you are awakening or in crisis, you don’t have to decide alone.
As a Meraki Guide, I walk with people through both awakenings and crises—bringing compassion, energy work, and reflective psychology to help you discern and grow.
Book your Free Soul Reconnection Call to explore your next step.
I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.
Until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)
FAQs: Awakening or Existential Crisis
What is a spiritual awakening?
An expanded awareness where old identities fall away and deeper connection emerges.
What is an existential crisis?
A collapse of meaning where life feels empty, directionless, or pointless.
How do I know the difference?
Awakening feels expansive despite turbulence; crisis feels like despair without direction.
Can crisis lead to awakening?
Yes. Many awakenings begin as crises when old meanings collapse.
When should I seek help?
If despair deepens or reality feels unstable, seek guidance. See When to Get Help: Therapy, Coaching, or a Meraki Guide?.
