Spiritual Glossary
Spiritual Terms, Explained Simply
Plain-language meanings for the words you meet on the spiritual path, with guidance on where to go deeper.
A
Cosmic and Ancient Mysteries
Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius is the astrological era many metaphysical teachers say we are entering, a roughly 2,000-year cycle of awakening, community, and spiritual growth.
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Consciousness and Science
Akashic Records
In theosophy and later New Age teaching, the Akashic Records are the nonphysical archive holding every thought, word, and action of every soul.
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Practices and Tools
Angel Numbers
Angel numbers are repeating number sequences, such as 111, 444, or 1212, that appear again and again and are read as messages from a higher source.
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Consciousness and Science
Archetypes
Archetypes are universal patterns of character and symbol, such as the hero, the mother, the sage, and the shadow.
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Masters and Traditions
Ascended Masters
Ascended Masters are described in theosophy and related teachings as spiritual teachers who have completed their earthly lessons and now guide humanity from a higher level of consciousness.
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Channeling and Psychic Abilities
Astral Projection
Astral projection is the experience of consciousness slipping out of the physical body and traveling through the astral plane, a subtle realm that metaphysical teachers describe as just beyond ordinary perception.
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Cosmic and Ancient Mysteries
Atlantis
Atlantis is a legendary island civilization first described by the Greek philosopher Plato, who said it sank beneath the sea.
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Soul and Self
Atman
Atman is a Sanskrit word for the true self or soul, the inner essence beyond the body, mind, and personality.
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Energy and Body
Aura
An aura is the subtle field of energy that surrounds the body, described in many spiritual traditions as a living map of your emotional and spiritual state.
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C
Energy and Body
Chakras
In yogic and tantric traditions, chakras are described as energy centers along the spine and body.
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Channeling and Psychic Abilities
Channeling
Channeling is the practice of receiving information or messages from a source believed to be beyond the individual, such as a spirit guide, an ascended master, or a higher consciousness.
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Consciousness and Science
Consciousness
In spiritual teaching, consciousness is the awareness in which all experience appears.
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Energy and Body
Crown Chakra
The crown chakra, called Sahasrara in Sanskrit, is the seventh and highest of the main chakras.
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Practices and Tools
Crystal Healing
Crystal healing is the practice of working with stones, such as quartz or amethyst, for focus, comfort, and energy work.
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D
Awakening and Ascension
Dark Night of the Soul
The dark night of the soul is a phrase from the 16th century Spanish mystic John of the Cross.
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Soul and Self
Divine Feminine
The divine feminine is the sacred, receptive, nurturing side of spirit, expressed through intuition, creativity, compassion, and the Earth itself.
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E
Energy and Body
Energy Healing
Energy healing is a group of practices, including Reiki, based on the teaching that a subtle life energy flows through the body and can be cleared and balanced.
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Awakening and Ascension
Enlightenment
Enlightenment is a term for a deep, lasting realization of one's true nature.
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F
Practices and Tools
Feng Shui
Feng shui is a Chinese practice of arranging spaces so energy, called qi, can flow smoothly.
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G
Masters and Traditions
Gnostic Gospels
The Gnostic Gospels are early Christian writings found in Egypt in 1945, near Nag Hammadi.
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Manifestation and Divination
Gratitude Practice
A gratitude practice is the habit of noticing and giving thanks for the good in your life, through journaling, reflection, or quiet moments.
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Practices and Tools
Guided Meditation
Guided meditation is a session in which a teacher's voice or a recording leads you through breathing, imagery, or relaxation.
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H
Energy and Body
Heart Chakra
The heart chakra, called Anahata in Sanskrit, is the fourth of the seven main chakras.
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Soul and Self
Higher Self
The higher self is described as the wisest, most loving part of you, a view of your life from beyond everyday worry.
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I
Channeling and Psychic Abilities
Intuition
Intuition is a sense of knowing something without step-by-step reasoning.
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K
Soul and Self
Karma
Karma comes from Sanskrit and means action.
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Masters and Traditions
Kriya Yoga
Kriya yoga is a yogic technique of breath and energy control, taught as a path to spiritual growth.
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Energy and Body
Kundalini
In yoga and tantra, kundalini is described as a dormant energy coiled at the base of the spine.
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L
Manifestation and Divination
Law of Attraction
The law of attraction is the principle that like attracts like, so focused thoughts and feelings draw matching experiences into your life.
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M
Manifestation and Divination
Manifestation
Manifestation is the practice of using focused intention, belief, and aligned action to bring something into your life.
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Practices and Tools
Mantra
A mantra is a word, sound, or phrase repeated to focus the mind and support meditation.
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Practices and Tools
Meditation
Meditation is a family of practices that train attention and awareness, often through breath, sound, movement, or silent focus.
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Channeling and Psychic Abilities
Mediumship
Mediumship is the practice of communicating with people who have died, or with spirit, and passing along what is received.
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Practices and Tools
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment on purpose, without judgment.
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Practices and Tools
Mudra
A mudra is a symbolic hand gesture or body position used in yoga, meditation, and Hindu and Buddhist practice.
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N
Afterlife and Death
Near-Death Experience (NDE)
A near-death experience, or NDE, is a profound journey reported by people who came close to death or were clinically dead for a time.
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Awakening and Ascension
Nirvana
Nirvana is a Sanskrit word meaning to blow out or extinguish.
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Awakening and Ascension
Non-Duality
Non-duality is the teaching that the separation between self and world, or between you and the divine, is an appearance.
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O
Cosmic and Ancient Mysteries
Occult
Occult comes from a Latin word meaning hidden.
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P
Afterlife and Death
Past Life Regression
Past life regression is a guided technique in which a person is led into a deep, relaxed state to revisit what may be memories of earlier lifetimes.
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Energy and Body
Pineal Gland
The pineal gland is a small, pea-sized gland deep in the brain, and in metaphysical teaching it is the physical doorway to the third eye.
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Afterlife and Death
Pre-Birth Memory
Pre-birth memories are recollections some children and adults describe of the time before they were born, such as choosing a family or knowing the life ahead.
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Q
Consciousness and Science
Quantum Consciousness
Quantum consciousness refers to ideas linking consciousness with quantum physics, such as the suggestion that observation shapes reality or that the mind works through quantum processes.
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R
Energy and Body
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice developed by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s.
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Afterlife and Death
Reincarnation
Reincarnation is the belief that a soul returns to live again in a new body after death.
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Energy and Body
Root Chakra
The root chakra, called Muladhara in Sanskrit, is the first of the seven main chakras.
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S
Cosmic and Ancient Mysteries
Sacred Geometry
Sacred geometry is the teaching that the circle, the spiral, the flower of life, and the golden ratio form the hidden blueprint of creation.
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Awakening and Ascension
Samadhi
Samadhi is a Sanskrit word for a state of deep meditative absorption in which the sense of a separate self fades.
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Soul and Self
Soul Group
A soul group is described as a circle of souls who travel together across lifetimes, taking turns as family, friends, partners, and teachers.
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Soul and Self
Soul Purpose
Soul purpose is the idea that each person came into this life with a deeper reason, such as lessons to learn or gifts to share.
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Soul and Self
Soulmate
A soulmate is understood in spiritual teaching as a person with whom you share a deep, often unexplainable bond.
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Practices and Tools
Spirit Guides
Spirit guides are non-physical beings who offer guidance, protection, and insight along your path.
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Awakening and Ascension
Spiritual Awakening
A spiritual awakening is a shift in awareness in which a person begins to question their old beliefs, identity, and sense of purpose.
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Soul and Self
Starseed
A starseed is a soul that remembers beginning on another star, planet, or dimension and incarnating on Earth to help humanity awaken.
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Consciousness and Science
Synchronicity
Synchronicity is a term coined by psychologist Carl Jung for meaningful coincidences that have no clear causal link.
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T
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