There is a wide variety of perceptions and interpretations of the word spirituality, and that is okay. It is important to understand that the diversity in the interpretation of the word is a great thing and should be expected, as people and their realities are fluid. When we force ourselves to view the concept of spirituality in a binary manner, we are operating out of indoctrinated colonized beliefs and values.

I thought it would be a good idea to start this article by speaking to what spirituality and the experience of having a spiritual awakening is NOT. The following is a list of just a few false beliefs and myths regarding spirituality that are rooted in racism and colonization:

1. Spirituality is synonymous with religion.

Spirituality and religion are two completely different concepts and practices. While religion focuses primarily on the empowerment of your community, spirituality focuses on the uplifting and elevation of yourself. Religion typically involves the engagement of rituals that are established for you and shared by the community, while spirituality challenges you to create rituals that are specifically for and serve you. Religion typically aims at the pursuit and understanding of your higher power, while spirituality involves the pursuit and understanding of yourself. It is important to note that you can practice one or BOTH concepts.

2. Spirituality is evil and the devil's work.

We must remember that the colonizer's beliefs and values are rooted in superiority. Therefore, any perspective or ideology that is contrary to what he believes will be deemed inferior and savage. Colonization is rooted in binary beliefs such as "right or wrong," "good or bad," and "holy or evil." Because spirituality involves many diverse practices, rituals, and dynamics that are not understood by others, it may result in a sense of fear of it. In our society, we are typically afraid of what we do not know or understand.

The reality is, whatever it is that you choose to practice, if used for the uplifting of self and/or others, it may be deemed as "good" and vice versa as "evil." Let us never forget that the colonizer/enslaver used Christianity and its principles to justify the enslavement, branding, beating, raping, and inhumane treatment of African bodies and minds for over 400 years. Is there anything more evil than that?

3. Spirituality and other indigenous practices are not rooted in science; therefore, it is not real.

In this post-colonial country that we live in, there is a lot of faith and expectation placed in modern science and western healthcare systems. However, I would be remiss not to remind you that when the European colonizers arrived on Native and Indigenous Land, they brought with them diseases that almost wiped out an entire nation of people who were otherwise healthy prior to their arrival.

The Indigenous Peoples of this land had an in-depth way of life that circled around spirituality, medicine, and nature wisdom and reverence. When the colonizers first arrived, the spiritual and life practices of the indigenous were deemed as unscientific, superstitious, and savage. The colonizers then forced (often through violence) assimilation on the Indigenous to the European version of Christianity and way of life.

Today, BIPOC communities still experience criticism (at times by other POC) for their participation in their own ancestral spiritual practices. While those exact practices, when appropriated and utilized by White practitioners and healers, are praised, and revered as groundbreaking treatment. Some examples of this dynamic include:

Yoga: Yoga has its origin and roots in Hindu spiritual practice. Today, Yoga is a multimillion-dollar industry that is oversaturated with White practitioners who gained huge success and prosperity off the appropriation and domination of another culture's spiritual practice.

Acupuncture: This practice has it origin's in China over 2,000 years ago and is considered to be one of the most important practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, it is not often that I walk into an acupuncture practice and see a Chinese practitioner. The field is dominated by White practitioners.

Voodoo and African Diaspora Religions: Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Brazilian have many spiritual practices that are often stigmatized and demonized. However, many elements of these practices have been taken and appropriated by Whites who are then praised for it.

Sage Burning & Smudging: Many indigenous cultures have historically used sage in purifying rituals. However, now that it has been adopted and appropriated by non-indigenous people, it has unfortunately lost its true intent and cultural significance.

Mindfulness & Meditation: Again, this practice has its origins in Buddhist tradition, and while its true origin is often recognized by the dominant race who made millions off it, that recognition has only been verbal and not financial.

What is a Spiritual Awakening?

The first thing to understand about the experience of a spiritual awakening is that it is diverse, immeasurable, and does not have its roots in logic or objectivity. It is unique to the individual who has experienced it. Here are the common dynamics that are most often associated with one's experience of having a spiritual awakening:

1. A Profound Shift in Perspective and Understanding.

2. A Heightened Sense of Consciousness, Self-Awareness, and Connection to Their Higher Power.

3. An Understanding and Reckoning of The Power and Control They Have Over Their Own Lives.

4. Awakening to One's Purpose in Life and a Sense of Interconnectedness With Other Beings and The Higher Power.

5. An Ability to Move Beyond Shallow Ideas and Beliefs, to a Deeper Sense of Reality.

6. Increased intuition which will allow for you to see what is truly going on with others around you. Therefore, mercy and compassion for others is developed.

7. Last, but most importantly the ability to align closer with your inner spirit which is synonymous with your true identity.

Awaken To Your Inner Spirit

There are three parts that make the whole human self. They are as follows:

1. The Body - the physical manifestation of your inner self. The shield that protects you and the home of the mind and spirit. Our bodies give us the capabilities to physically carry out the desires of our mind/soul and inner spirit.

2. The Mind/Soul- This is the programmable part of yourself that does not awaken until you have exited your mother's womb. This is the part of ourselves that is domesticated from birth, easy to manipulate while we are young, and difficult to alter as we age. It is made up of our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs and is also comprised of three complete parts: the conscious mind, the subconscious mind, and the unconscious mind.

3. The Spirit- This is the immutable part of ourselves. Some believe that our spirit was here before the existence of our bodies and minds and will continue to be after they cease to exist. Thus, existing as the part of ourselves that is immortal. Here lies our true self-identity, consciousness, self-awareness, and higher-self. It holds our ability communicate to our higher power, engage in self-healing, connect and love, and experience the supernatural.

Being that our minds are largely developed by our experiences and the indoctrinations of others, we have become separated and disconnected from our inner spirit. The longer you experience this disconnect the more you are separated from the spirit of yourself. Many of us operate primarily from our programmed and indoctrinated mind/soul and are asleep to our true identity and desires.

Thus a spiritual awakening, put simply, is an awakening to your true self, identity, and inner spirit. It is the process of shedding the layers of conditioning, indoctrinations, and societal expectations to uncover our authentic selves. It is a path of self-discovery, growth, and transformation.

A spiritual awakening is a deeply personal experience, and it will look different for everyone. Do not approach your experience with binary thinking. There is no right or wrong way to have a spiritual awakening. The journey will be unique for each and every one of us. Be patient with yourself, release all expectations, surrender to the process, and surround yourself with a chosen tribe of like-minded individuals.