Emerging from the Chrysalis: The Spiritual Path of Transformation

We are living in unprecedented times, and the world around us is undergoing a massive transformation. It’s natural to feel as if you’ve lost your footing, especially when transformation is sweeping across both the collective and within us as individuals. For many, this period is being called a “great awakening,” while for others, comfort and often fear keeps them anxiously tethered to the familiar. After all, transformation is rarely comfortable, and spiritual growth often feels like stepping into the unknown—searching for light where there seems to be nothing but darkness.

I’ve definitely felt stuck, stagnant, and unsure throughout my own spiritual journey. Ever since I consciously started this path back in 2015, I’ve struggled with the need to always be “productive.” But the reality is, spiritual awakening can’t be forced. More often than not, it requires stillness and a quiet mind—things I’ve had to work on for years. During those first years, I found myself entering what feels like a chrysalis phase in my spiritual evolution. As someone conditioned to thrive on western ideals of busyness and productivity, I felt frustrated—confined and unable to make “tangible” progress. I believed that if I kept pushing, I could expedite my awakening or bypass this phase altogether. But that wasn’t possible. It was my ego—my caterpillar self—trying to run the show. I realized I had to accept what I perceived as stagnation, letting it teach me what I needed to learn. I had to embrace a new kind of patience, grace, and humility in order to truly shed my old ego drivers and prepare for whatever lies ahead.

While it’s not realistic to abandon all responsibilities for spiritual growth, I started paying closer attention to my thoughts and autopilot behaviors, acknowledging when I was pushing too hard and pausing mindfully to understand why. I examined areas where I used excuses, was lazy, or avoidant, still living my “caterpillar life” but with more self-awareness, accountability, and kindness. Without realizing it, by authentically and unapologetically embracing my interests, passions, and curiosities, I was quietly building my butterfly wings. Crucially, without this chrysalis phase forcing me into stillness, I began to live more presently, no longer dwelling on the past or fantasizing about the future. The frustration I initially felt turned into an opportunity to exist in the now, to embrace the present moment instead of constantly planning, worrying, feeling guilty or reminiscing. This was one of the most profound lessons of this phase—learning that being here, now, is where the real transformation takes root.

Though the chrysalis phase felt slow and frustrating, this mindful openness—while maintaining my obligations—led to transformation. There’s no bypassing this phase; it’s essential to becoming the butterfly. Just like the caterpillar dissolving in the chrysalis, we too must release what we once were to make space for what we are becoming. It’s messy, it’s uncomfortable, and it feels like nothing is happening—but this is where the deepest changes take place. This is where we shed old habits, beliefs, and emotional baggage that no longer serve us, clearing the way for something new and aligned with our highest potential.

This transformative process isn’t unique to any one culture or time; it’s a universal journey reflected in various traditions around the world. In Hinduism and Buddhism, for example, the cyclical process of spiritual death and rebirth is known as Samsara. Samsara represents the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by karma—the cumulative result of one’s actions and their consequences. The goal in Hinduism is to break free from Samsara and achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle, while in Buddhism, the aim is to reach Nirvana, a state where suffering and rebirth cease. This idea of continuous transformation mirrors the chrysalis phase—we must let go of attachments, ego, and outdated beliefs to allow for spiritual rebirth. Just as the caterpillar dissolves completely to become a butterfly, we undergo cycles of dissolution and renewal to reach higher consciousness and break free from patterns that no longer serve us.

This journey is also reflected in many Native American spiritual practices, particularly through the Vision Quest. A vision quest is a rite of passage where individuals isolate themselves in nature to seek spiritual guidance and insight. It’s a deeply personal journey, much like the chrysalis phase, where one faces their deepest fears and attachments, surrendering to the unknown to receive wisdom from the spiritual realm. The old self dissolves during the vision quest, making room for a more spiritually aligned identity. This practice emphasizes patience, endurance, and the understanding that transformation is a process—not a destination. The Sacred Hoop, also known as the Medicine Wheel, is another significant Native American concept that symbolizes the cyclical nature of existence: birth, growth, death, and renewal. It reflects how spiritual growth is not linear but a continuous cycle where every part, even the uncomfortable ones, is essential for renewal and balance. I’ve found great comfort and insight from the works of J.T. Garrett—his teachings on the Cherokee Medicine Wheel have been especially impactful for me, sparking my own deep dive into exploring shadow work. The Medicine Wheel represents the interconnectedness of all aspects of life and the cycles we move through, encouraging introspection and harmony with the natural world.

Speaking of shadow work, Carl Jung’s theory of the Shadow delves into the unconscious parts of ourselves—the traits, desires, and emotions that we repress or deny. During times of deep transformation, like the chrysalis phase, these hidden aspects often rise to the surface, demanding to be seen and integrated. Shadow work involves confronting these parts of ourselves, accepting them, and allowing them to become sources of wisdom rather than something we hide from. As uncomfortable as it may be, this deep internal work is essential for our evolution. Without it, we can’t emerge into our higher selves, much like the caterpillar cannot become a butterfly without first dissolving into “goo.” This process is universal, reminding us that facing our inner darkness is a necessary step toward enlightenment.

In the ancient world, the story of the phoenix rising from the ashes is one of the most powerful symbols of spiritual transformation. Found in both Greek and Egyptian mythology, the phoenix, after living for centuries, builds a nest and sets itself aflame, only to rise anew from its ashes. This cycle of destruction and renewal is a metaphor for spiritual rebirth. Just like the phoenix, we must sometimes allow parts of ourselves to be consumed by the flames of transformation to grow into our full potential. The myth of the phoenix also ties into the concept of ego death—the dissolution of our old, ego-driven self so that a new, more spiritually aligned version can emerge. The flames represent the trials and discomfort we face as we let go of our old selves. But from this destruction comes rebirth, and a more powerful self emerges. This process echoes the cycles of Samsara, the vision quest’s introspection, and Jung’s shadow work, highlighting a universal truth across cultures: transformation often requires a profound surrender.

And it’s not just happening on a personal level. This chrysalis phase is unfolding collectively as well. The world is undergoing deep transformation, and many of the old systems and structures we once relied on are dissolving. This can feel disorienting and scary, but it’s part of our collective evolution. Societies, like the caterpillar, must let go of outdated ways of being to make room for something new to emerge. As we witness these shifts, we’re reminded of the Sacred Hoop and the phoenix—we are in the flames of transformation, but after this dissolution, a rebirth will occur, leading us toward a more balanced and conscious way of living.

Throughout these varied cultural lenses, a consistent theme emerges: transformation is a cyclical, necessary process that requires us to face discomfort and the unknown. Whether it’s through the lens of Samsara’s cycles, the vision quest’s deep introspection, the phoenix’s fiery rebirth, or Jung’s exploration of the Shadow, we’re reminded that this journey is universal and timeless. The chrysalis phase, though uncomfortable, is where the deepest growth happens. Whether through shadow work, honoring life’s cycles, or surrendering to the flames of ego death, each stage is necessary for us to emerge into a higher state of being. These spiritual concepts teach us that transformation isn’t something to rush. It requires deep inner work, patience, and trust in the process. When embraced fully, it leads to profound growth and a more authentic alignment with our true selves.

By understanding that cultures across the world have recognized and navigated this transformative journey, we can find comfort in the shared universality of our experiences. We’re not alone in this process; we’re part of a long lineage of seekers who have walked this path before us. Embracing the wisdom from these diverse traditions enriches our own journey and reminds us that transformation is a fundamental part of the human experience. Transformation is a continuous cycle of death and rebirth, both personally and collectively. Even though it can feel challenging, this phase is temporary. On the other side, the butterfly is waiting to emerge. If you find yourself in this phase, trust that your transformation is happening, even if you can’t yet see the wings forming. It’s not just about becoming the butterfly—it’s about embracing the process, the messy middle, and trusting in what’s coming next. If you feel like you’re in the “goo” right now, remember: this is where the magic happens. Trust the process, trust yourself, and know that what awaits on the other side is a more expansive, aligned version of you.