What Does Growing Spiritually Actually Mean? 

Spiritual growth is not about accumulating knowledge or adopting new beliefs—it is about transcending the ego mind and moving into pure awareness. It is the shift from identifying with the body-mind and the five senses to experiencing the eternal presence of the soul—the pure, unaffectable, incorruptible essence of who you are. 

In our everyday lives, we navigate the world through the ego-mind, which processes reality through filters of fear, conditioning, and past experiences. We operate in five-sense consciousness, perceiving only what is tangible—what we can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. But true spiritual growth calls us beyond this. 

To awaken spiritually, we must move from the restless chatter of the thinking mind to the stillness of witnessing awareness—the transcendental fourth state of consciousness, known in yogic wisdom as Turiya. It is the state of being that sits above the senses and body-mind, where the soul resides—eternal, unwavering, and pure love. 

How do we transition from the ego’s illusions to the clarity of soul awareness? Here are 7 keys to spiritual growth that will guide you on this path. 

1. Cultivate Witnessing Awareness 

The first step in spiritual growth is to become the observer of your thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Instead of identifying with the constant mental noise, watch it—as if you were watching clouds pass across the sky. The more you step back and witness, the less control the ego has over you. 

Practice: Take moments throughout the day to pause and simply observe your thoughts without judging or engaging with them. Ask yourself, Who is the one observing? 

2. Move Beyond the Five Senses 

Our senses limit us to a surface-level reality, but true awareness exists beyond them. The more we rely solely on our senses, the more we remain trapped in external validation and fleeting pleasures. Spiritual growth is about seeing beyond appearances and recognizing the deeper, unseen truth of existence. 

Practice: Close your eyes and focus on your inner world. Feel the presence within you that remains unchanging, even when emotions or circumstances shift. 

3. Dissolve the Ego’s Control 

The ego is the voice in your mind that thrives on identity, attachment, and fear. It constantly seeks validation, comparison, and control. Spiritual growth is about seeing through the illusions of the ego and loosening its grip on your life. 

Practice: The next time you feel triggered or reactive, pause and ask: Is this my true self speaking, or is this my ego? The more awareness you bring to it, the less it dominates you. 

4. Surrender to the Flow of Life 

Spirituality is not about controlling life—it’s about trusting it. When we resist, we suffer. When we surrender, we find peace. Letting go of control and allowing life to unfold naturally is an essential step in moving from ego-driven resistance to soul-level acceptance. 

Practice: Instead of asking, Why is this happening to me? ask, What is this teaching me? 

5. Experience Stillness and Silence 

The ego thrives on noise and distraction, while the soul flourishes in stillness. Regular moments of silence help us disengage from mental chaos and attune to the deeper truth within. 

Practice: Sit in silence for a few minutes daily. No music, no screens, no distractions. Simply be. 

6. Open Yourself to Unconditional Love 

At the soul level, you are love itself. But the ego filters love through fear, conditions, and expectations. Spiritual growth is about moving beyond transactional love into a state of pure giving, acceptance, and compassion. 

Practice: Each day, consciously send love to someone without expecting anything in return—even to those who may have hurt you. 

7. Access the Turiya State (The Fourth State of Consciousness) 

The ultimate stage of spiritual growth is shifting from waking, dreaming, and deep sleep consciousness to the witnessing awareness—Turiya. It is the space where you are fully awake but untouched by life’s ups and downs. You become the still observer, resting in pure awareness beyond the fluctuations of the mind. 

Practice: Meditate on the mantra, I am not the mind. I am not the body. I am the eternal witness. 

Final Thoughts: The Shift from Ego to Awareness 

Spiritual growth is not about becoming something—it is about remembering who you already are. It is the journey from the filtered, limited perception of the ego to the boundless clarity of pure awareness. 

The more you detach from the noise of the mind and immerse yourself in witnessing awareness, the more you will experience life not through the five senses alone, but through the soul’s unshakable presence. 

This is true freedom. This is true growth. 

Are you ready to make the shift? 

Also read: 5 reasons to read Sanyaas in the City