Basic Spiritual Terminology

Here is a clear and simplified guide to some of the basic but more confusing spiritual terminology, decoded for practical understanding—whether you're exploring mysticism, metaphysics, New Thought, or modern spirituality.

Higher Self

What it means: The wise, eternal version of yourself—your divine consciousness that supercedes ego and fear.

Think of it as: Your soul's GPS, guiding you toward your desired blessings, a higher-quality life and your life purpose.

Vibration Frequency

What it means: Your emotional-energetic state; how you “feel” and resonate with the universe. What is consistent with your current vibration (people, situations, emotions and mentalities) will come into your life and take up residence with you. When you increase or lower your vibration, your outward manifestations with will reflect your vibrational changes

Think of it as: A radio signal. Positive emotions = higher vibration. Fear or anger = lower vibration.

 

3rd-Dimensional or 5th-Dimensional Consciousness

What it means: Different levels of energy and spiritual awareness:

3rd-Dimensional: Ego-based, material survival.

5th-Dimensional: Unity, love, and spiritual perspective.

Think of it as: Shifting from a fear-based lifestyle to a love-centered lifestyle; a life free from seeing everything with a separation mentality to one of connection (all creation is connected; what we do to any creation, we ultimately do to ourselves).

Manifestation

What it means: The process of turning thoughts and emotions into physical experiences. Mental activity (thoughts, ideas, assessments and decisions) will ultimately play out in your physical life as we support our mental activity with focus, persistence and discipline.

Think of it as: What is inside of us (beauty, ugliness, appreciation, distain, love or hate) will eventually be evident to everyone who we encounter; Inner world thoughts → Outer world creation.

Shadow Work

What it means: Facing and healing your suppressed emotions, fears, trauma and beliefs.

Think of it as: Turning on the lights in your inner basement.

Ego Death

What it means: Losing identification with the false self or personality. Actually getting to know yourself and owning who you are through love and acceptance.

Think of it as: Realizing “you” are not your job, physical attractiveness, status, or story.

Ascension

What it means: Spiritual evolution into higher awareness and unity with divine consciousness.

Think of it as: Waking up from illusion and embodying your soul truth. Spiritual living with the highest seriousness and sincerity.

Downloads

What it means: Sudden insight,  epiphanies, ideas or knowedge that came to you from Divine realms.

Think of it as: Divine Wi-Fi—intuition receiving information.

Chakras

What it means: Energy centers in the body tied to emotions, mentality, physical and spiritual health.

Think of it as: Internal energy hubs. When the energy is flowing properly, we enjoy excellent physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. When any of these energy centers are impeded, blocked or in a state of imbalance, we experience a life of stress, frustration, unhappiness, physical issues and so on.

Kundalini

What it means: This is a dormant femanine spiritual energy that is located at the base of the spine. When awakened (through inspiration, meditation, love, babies or pets) leads to enlightenment.

Think of it as: Spiritual fire that each time it rises through our chakras, it transforms us into more sensitive, responsible and caring human beings.

Soul Contract

What it means: Pre-incarnation agreements your soul makes with the Divine to learn lessons, continue areas of personal growth, help certain people (individuals, family members, classes of people, ethnic communities or nations), make reparations to the earth for damage that we were responsible for in a previous life, accomplishments as a gift to humanity in this current life or to be an example to others of what to strive for in life (or not). 

Think of it as: A spiritual syllabus you choose before birth.

The Matrix

What it means: The illusion of reality based on societal programming, ego, and fear. Mental, emotional and informational manipulation by people, governments and power structures who have been privy to esoteric spiritual knowledge and who have chosen to misuse this knowledge for personal enrichment while subjugating the masses of citizens under their control. 

Think of it as: A mental cage we’re invited to wake up from.

 

Divine Feminine / Masculine

What it means: Archetypal energies within all people, not gender-based.

Feminine: Flow.

• Compassion – Deep empathy and care for others.

• Nurturing – A tendency to support and encourage growth in others.

• Emotional Expressiveness – Openness in sharing feelings.

• Cooperation – Valuing harmony and teamwork.

• Intuition – Relying on gut feelings and emotional insight.

• Patience – Tolerance and understanding in difficult situations.

• Adaptability – Flexibility in changing circumstances.

• Gentleness – A kind, tender approach to interactions.

 

Masculine: Structure and action.

• Assertiveness – Confidence in expressing opinions or needs.

• Independence – Self-reliance and a preference for autonomy.

• Competitiveness – A drive to win or excel.

• Logical Reasoning – Decision-making based on analysis rather than emotion.

• Protectiveness – A desire to guard and provide for others.

• Leadership – Taking charge in group settings.

• Stoicism – Emotional restraint and resilience.

• Risk-Taking – Willingness to engage in bold actions.

Think of it as: Yin and Yang or gender balance within each of us.

 

Non-Duality

What it means: We are connected. All of us are parts of the Divine One. There is no separation between God, you, and the world.

Think of it as: Waking up from the dream of “self vs other.”

 

Quantum Jumping

What it means: Changing your beliefs and energy so drastically that you shift to a new version of reality.

Think of it as: Reality tuning to match your new identity. This one will require some research on your part but it will be well worth your efforts.