Spiritual Graduation: Why Transformation Requires More You and Less Woo
In Less Woo, More You Pt. 1, we discussed how our time here is finite and how we often fail to live fully in that awareness. We play roles until life forces us to change — to “surrender” and let go of who we thought we were. In Pt. 2, we’ll continue chipping away at the facade to let the real you emerge. Disclaimer: this may burn some of you, but what rises from the ash will be far better for it.
Meeting the Ultimate Being
During my Near-Death Experience (NDE), I encountered a being. This being transformed into many beings, then merged into another form of the original, and ultimately became what I recognized as the source — indescribable but for conscious light, complete. This experience taught me that there is a power, a super-consciousness, that knows everything about me — and it exists. It has a face, any face, and as many faces as it desires.
Many call this being God, Brahma, Source — the names don’t matter. The being is beyond any label. It’s not a nebulous, invisible cloud emitting energy (though it could take that form if desired). This being creates, makes decisions, oversees everything — including what’s hidden from human sight.
It’s beyond definition or measurement. Yet, it remains accessible to you, always. It sees us as both child and adult. It watches us make messes but takes joy when we embrace responsibility for who we are meant to become. It can be stern yet forgiving, loving yet challenging, mysterious and even humorous.
Your purpose here is to experience existence alongside this being — to work through obstacles, not ignore them — and to honor both your existence and the being itself. For simplicity, I’ll refer to this being as God, but leave religious baggage at the door. God isn’t waiting by pearly gates on a throne. Though, knowing the sense of humor I’ve encountered, I wouldn’t be surprised if He created that very NDE account just for the laughs.
The Changes Ahead
A split is happening — spiritually and physically. Many feel it already. This isn’t a single event; it’s a process. Those claiming to be “in the know” will continue offering shifting definitions, buzzwords, and narratives. In reality, it’s the end of one cycle and the start of another. I’ll say what many modern “spiritualists” avoid: the process is directed by the superconscious being — God — who uses whatever means he sees fit to complete it.
I prefer to think of the split as a graduation rather than a cycle. It’s a chance to move to the next level — class, school, job — however you wish to define it. The misunderstanding is that showing up is enough to graduate. It’s not.
You can’t remain the person you are today and expect to move forward. This existence is about overcoming who you think you are to become who you truly are. There’s no free pass.
This isn’t a school for the elite, the wealthy, or those with access to secret knowledge. Everyone has the same opportunity. The school doesn’t rely on circumstances, doctrines, or hidden wisdom. The only requirement is doing the work.
The “Awakened” Student
The term “awakened state” has been overused and distorted. It’s now a label for modern beliefs that conveniently fit into busy, distracted lifestyles — more of a badge than an authentic transformation.
Let’s walk through a few examples:
An “awakened” person meditates with friends to raise global consciousness, then goes home and judges a politician based on something they heard on the news.
Another watches astrology videos to track "the split" but avoids their neighbors because they “can’t relate.”
A devout churchgoer prays for the needy but walks past a homeless man asking for change.
Someone finds peace from a spiritual podcast, then cuts someone off in traffic because they’re in a hurry.
A so-called fully awakened individual reads spiritual books, takes classes, and helps others — but hasn’t confronted their own shadows, making spirituality just another ego-driven identity.
These are what I call the “conditionally awakened” — where intellect tricks the ego into believing a spiritual milestone has been achieved. But outside their chosen conditions, spirituality disappears.
Contrast that with a pygmy tribe member in Africa who believes all things have spirit. They take only what they need, live harmoniously with nature, and respect their community. They lack formal religion or internet access, but they embody interconnectedness and humility. Ego is shunned, only celebrated when someone provides for the tribe.
If God created this existence as a school to reveal who you truly are, which example seems closer to “walking with God”? Who is more likely to graduate?
True spirituality isn’t found in knowledge or conditions — it’s found in the heart. The heart holds no conditions. Knowledge should point the way, trigger the transformation, not create your limitations.
Less woo, more you.
The Preparation
It’s the end of what you thought you knew and the beginning of what you need to remember.
The ego acts as the teacher guarding the golden door to bliss and ascension. It pushes you back until you grow strong enough to overcome it. When you finally walk through that door, you can carry nothing, but your true self. The ego stays behind. It’s too big to fit through. This preparation is the same for both life and death.
The secret formula to reaching true spirituality? You already have it. Tools, alignments, and manifestations are distractions convincing you the solution is external. The ego wants you to believe you can fix it from the outside. But the truth lies within — in your reflection and awareness.
Spirituality isn’t a belief system — it’s a knowing that emerges when beliefs fall away. The path requires humility, leading to reverence. That’s the key to release and truth.
It’s time to face the lies that comforted your ego. The ego feeling good isn’t the real you.
Graduation
You won’t graduate — whether a cataclysm happens tomorrow, the second coming, or you pass 50 years from now — if you haven’t done the inner work. That’s why you keep returning.
Explore the darkest corners of your being. Shine a light on everything. My life review during the NDE showed me that nothing is hidden or overlooked. Life is lived in detail, but most people carry metaphorical leaf blowers, clearing away the inconvenient parts.
You are here to face those details — to transcend the need for comfort and reach true bliss. This split, this moment, is your final exam. No shortcuts. You cannot beg your way out of it. You cannot hide. The mirror must be picked up and held with intention. Everything will be revealed.
You don’t graduate by staying the same or aligning with the right crowd. You graduate by understanding who you truly are and reconciling that truth. You can ignore the mirror, but you can’t escape it. Love yourself enough to remove the conditions keeping you from entering the golden door. You aren't alone in this process and you are loved.
Not everyone graduates. Will you?
Pick up the mirror. Bliss awaits.
Less woo, more you.