Basic indicators


Inner experiences are fluid, mild, and easy to integrate

New spiritual insights are welcome, desirable, and expansive

Gradual infusion of ideas and insights into life

Energy experiences are contained and easily manageable

Easy differentiation between internal and external experiences and transition from one to another

Ease in incorporating non-ordinary states of consciousness into daily life

Slow, gradual change in awareness of self and the world

Excitement about inner experiences as they arise, and a willingness and ability to cooperate with them

An accepting attitude toward change

Ease in giving up control

Trust in the process

Difficult experiences are treated as opportunities for change

Positive experiences are accepted as gifts

Infrequent need to discuss inner experiences

Discrimination used when communicating about inner experiences (when, how, with whom)

Basic indicators

Inner experiences are dynamic, jarring, and difficult to integrate

New spiritual insights may be philosophically challenging and threatening

Overwhelming influx of experiences and insights

Experiences of jolting tremors, shaking, and energy disruptive to daily life

Difficult at times to distinguish between internal and external experiences, or simultaneous occurrence of both

Inner experiences interrupt and disturb daily life


Abrupt, rapid shift in perception of self and the world

Ambivalence toward inner experiences, but willingness and ability to cooperate with them using guidance

Resistance to change

Need to be in control

Dislike and/or mistrust in the process

Difficult experiences are overwhelming and often unwelcome

Positive experiences are difficult to accept, painful, and seem undeserved

Frequent urgent need to discuss inner experiences

Indiscriminate communicating about process and inner experience (when, how, with whom)