December 2017 was one of the craziest months of my life. I experienced a dark night of the soul – a spiritual ‘awakening’ of sorts. My belief systems collapsed all at once, and everything I thought I knew was flipped upside down. Little did I know, that month was just a taste of what would ripple throughout the world globally… 3 years later. Right now, people are awakening by the millions around the world – and millions more will follow. They’re learning some shocking truths about the world that were hidden from the vast majority. As old systems collapse, people are questioning the very foundations of their identity and society. A few of the ideologies/systems that were flipped upside-down, inside-out for me include:

The employment model
Money and the economic system
The media
The entertainment industry
The education system
Politics and public figures
Historical events and narrative
People I trusted and thought I looked up to
Corporations and organizations I looked up to
Scientific and technological advancements
The medical industry and health
Social movements and world events
The universe and other life forms
Even aspects of my own spirituality!

Many of my deepest truths were abruptly crushed. Psychologically, it was a whirlwind. Most people are not ready to hear what I found, so I’ll remain vague about the specifics and instead share how I experienced these collapsing belief systems.

Dealing with Collapsing Belief Systems

First, I was in denial and shock. When your beliefs are challenged, your mind may shut down from accepting any new information. It feels like your identity and emotional stability are being threatened. This is called cognitive dissonance. I felt angry. I felt like I’d been lied to my whole life. Then, I became afraid and paranoid. It was terrifying to wake up to a world I could barely recognize. But as I went down the rabbit hole of research, I developed a strong hunger for truth. I wanted to wrap my mind around everything, so I spent hours researching. My racing mind kept me up at night. I struggled to stay grounded. It felt good to be informed, but it was not healthy to overload myself all at once.

Non-Duality

As humans, we tend to see the world through the lens of duality: “positive” and “negative,” “us” vs. “them.” Good and evil. But from the highest perspective, we are all one. There is no “us” or “them,” “good” or “evil.” We are not victims. The world is a reflection of our collective consciousness. And as a collective, we all take part in co-creating this reality. Instead of being victims, we can take more responsibility for the circumstances we create – consciously and subconsciously, through ignorance and inaction. Is the “evil” in the world a reflection of the greed, fear, apathy and shadows of our collective consciousness? If the world is a mirror, what truths is it trying to tell us about humanity?

Integration and Grounding

The aftermath of my collapsing belief systems left me with one of the most earth-shaking experiences of my life. Naturally, my mind wanted to keep running around in circles, overanalyzing. Daily meditation helped me stay grounded. It was the only solace I had during those chaotic weeks. What can you trust, when you don’t know what to trust anymore? Trust your feelings. Trust your gut. Take all the information with a grain of salt and use your discernment. The peace you feel in meditation, the love you feel for close friends and family – that is real. Fill your heart with love. Visualize a golden light of peace surrounding you, and extend it to your friends and family. Then, extend it to envelop the world. Trust the love in your heart. That is real.

Choose the World You Want to Create

Right now, everything hidden in the shadows is coming into the light for all to see. The slate has been wiped clean. We are facing our greatest opportunity to create a new world. You get to decide: How do you want to show up in the world? How do you want to support your friends, family, and community? What is your highest vision for life? When the blinders come off, remember that now, you are free. The shadows are coming to the surface to be purged and alchemized into love. You can choose the world you want to live in. Choose the world you want to believe in. Many people who have gone through their awakening are here to help others during this time of turbulence. We can extend love to our friends, family, and communities. We can be the the calm in the midst of chaos. For centuries, millions prayed for a more loving world, and their call has been answered. It is already done. The life of your wildest dreams is opening up, and it is now more accessible to you than ever before. ~~~~

For daily writing and insights, find me on Instagram @ashmi.path.

If you enjoyed this post, I have also written a book called Awakening the Heart of Humanity, with words and art from the heart. You can check it out here. Love, Ashmi