The Importance of Consciousness in Spirituality
- Robert van Mourik
- Jul 6, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 12
"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Spirituality is an awareness that there is no difference between matter and spirit. Some define spirituality as man’s search for meaning and others as recognising this awareness. Mystics have long recognised spiritual growth (e.g. The Interior Castle, St Teresa of Avila) while modern authors have written about stages of faith (Stages of Faith, Fowler) and stages of spiritual growth (Integral Spirituality, Wilber).
Wilber proposes various levels of understanding the world, various levels of consciousness. They range between Egocentric (it’s all about me), Ethnocentric (it’s all about my family, tribe, country), Worldcentric (I appreciate my commonality with all in a world beyond my tribe) and Cosmocentric (I appreciate my place within the universe, that I am related to everything, everywhere). Spiritual growth through these levels also requires growth through other levels of development such as physical, emotional and intellectual maturity. We can progress through these various levels at different rates. About two thirds of the world has been identified as living in the first two levels.
Nevertheless, Richard Rohr understands the importance of well-grounded formation in early stages of growth. They have a relative importance as scaffolding, but they are not the building itself. Yet, we don’t need to continue protecting the scaffolding once it’s served its purpose. In the first half of life, our task is to build a container. Eventually we realise that life isn’t primarily about the container but the contents. In the second half of our lives, we might appreciate the ladder we have been climbing all our lives is leaning against the wrong wall. We search for new meaning and understanding in our lives.
Anthony de Mello acknowledged barriers to our recognising reality. Beliefs and attachments blind and restrict us. Carl Jung identified the shadow in our subconscious as restricting our personal growth. However, a clear vision reveals a wondrous world and an inner spirit that seeks to be recognised. Howard Thurman, spiritual adviser to Dr Martin Luther King, wrote about the importance of discerning what makes you come alive because the world needs people who have come alive. This emerging consciousness leads to a new freedom.
Albert Einstein remarked that higher levels of consciousness are required to solve the problems of the world for they cannot be solved at the level of those who created them. We need only listen to the language of our political leaders to recognise that conflicts within our societies are grounded in tribal outlooks. Immigration and care for our planet are other examples requiring higher consciousness to identify solutions. New ways of looking at each other and our world.
The development of the science of quantum theory over the last hundred years is changing our worldview. Past worldviews founded in patriarchal and monarchical attitudes, medieval theology and classical physics are inadequate today to understand the world. The emerging world view recognises that we are all related to each other, to everything, everywhere and even throughout time.
Hence the importance to spirituality of recognising that these various levels of understanding the world exist. We need to grow spiritually and attain a higher consciousness, a greater awareness of a different worldview, so that we can address ourselves to resolving the world’s problems. As we grow, our institutions, religions and our understanding of God will inevitably change.
The Importance of Consciousness in Spirituality
FAQs The Importance of Consciousness in Spirituality
What is “consciousness” in spiritual practice and how is it defined in the article?
St Lucia Spirituality describes consciousness as more than thinking – it is awareness of awareness, the sense of being present with life as it is. The article draws on writers like Wilber and van Mourik to show that consciousness includes levels of seeing: from self-centered, to others, to universal awareness. It’s about loosening the grip of ego such that spiritual transformation becomes possible beyond inherited belief.
How do belief systems and attachments limit or distort spiritual consciousness?
According to St Lucia Spirituality, belief systems often act like glasses: they filter what we see and believe. Attachments to ideas, identity, tradition or fear fix us into patterns that close off deeper awareness. Jung’s concept of the shadow, together with teaching about letting go, are used in the article to show how unexamined beliefs can generate conflict, suffering, and spiritual stagnation.
What role does non-dual awareness play, and how can someone cultivate it?
St Lucia Spirituality shows non-dual awareness as noticing when distinctions like self-other, mind-body, good-bad collapse into a wider consciousness. Practices recommended include meditation, silent sitting, contemplative prayer, and reading mystical writings. The article suggests that over time, non-dual awareness grows quiet compassion, greater presence, and a less reactive heart.
Why is consciousness considered essential for ethical transformation and global change?
awareness, injustices, divisions or environmental harm tend to persist because people act from habit or fear. Awareness wakes us up to interconnection. When more people live from higher awareness, their choices – in justice, compassion, environment, community – align more with healing rather than harm.
How can someone begin practicing awareness so that consciousness moves from concept into lived experience?
According to St Lucia Spirituality, beginning awareness work happens in small daily choices: pausing before reacting, noticing breath, observing thoughts without judgment, practising gratitude, exposing oneself to diverse perspectives. The article suggests journaling about awareness, retreats or silent periods, and loving presence toward self and others. Over time this shapes consciousness from idea to embodied way of being.
At St Lucia Spirituality we believe the journey is richer when it’s shared. If you’re seeking a place to explore questions, practice mindfulness, or simply belong to an inclusive spiritual community, we invite you to join us. From online discussion groups and meditation gatherings to our growing library of resources, there’s space here for every seeker. Step into the conversation, connect with others, and discover how community can nurture your spiritual growth.
About the Author - Robert Van Mourik
Robert, a co-founder and guiding presence within St Lucia Spirituality, brings a wealth of insight and dedication to our community. While his roots lie in the Catholic tradition, Robert's spiritual journey has been one of profound inquiry and introspection, spanning many decades in search of what he terms "a coherent worldview."
Drawing inspiration from luminaries such as Anthony de Mello, Richard Rohr, Diarmuid O’Murchu, and Ilia Delio, Robert's quest for spiritual truth has been shaped by the wisdom gleaned from countless authors and mentors. Their insights have served as guiding beacons, illuminating the path towards deeper understanding and connection.
It was in the shared bond of seeking spiritual growth that Robert first crossed paths with John, their encounters over coffee in 2012 marking the genesis of a transformative journey. These intimate gatherings, fuelled by conversations on influential books and the evolving landscape of their perspectives, soon blossomed into vibrant small groups and virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom.
Through newsletters, discussion papers, and a shared commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue, Robert has played an instrumental role in nurturing the thriving community of seekers within St Lucia Spirituality. His dedication to facilitating growth, exploration, and connection reflects the essence of the community's ethos - a journey of discovery and transformation, embarked upon together.