Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
5 Ways to Get Off of a Spiritual Plateau

5 Ways to Get Off of a Spiritual Plateau

Last updated on: July 18, 2021 at 3:00 am by John Beckett

5 Ways to Get Off of a Spiritual Plateau 2021-07-07T18:22:45-06:00 John Beckett

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

You may have seen the meme going around social media that says “progress is not linear.” It shows a figure moving along a mountainous terrain: lots of ups and downs before a final climb to the top. I like the meme even though I find it somewhat simplistic. It makes the very important point that we shouldn’t stop working just because it doesn’t feel like we’re making progress.

But while the main point of the meme is true and helpful, the path it shows doesn’t ring true for me. Yes, I’ve had ups and downs like everyone else. Yes, consistent effort over time has produced good results. But I’ve had more pain from spiritual plateaus than I ever had from ups and downs.

Plateaus start by reaching a new level. Whether you’re talking about magic, devotion, mundane skills, or anything else, you’ve accomplished something – and it feels good. It takes a while to get used to it, but eventually you do. You continue your practice, working on your projects, and working toward your goals. All is well.

And then one day you realize you’ve been doing the same things in the same way for quite some time. You realize it’s been a while since you “leveled up” but you’re not close to reaching the next level. You’re not even sure you know what the next level is.

It’s not new and exciting anymore. It’s not even satisfying. In fact, it’s starting to get frustrating.

You’re on a spiritual plateau.

This isn’t being overwhelmed with the ordinary world, though that certainly can be a problem. And it’s not stale devotion. I wrote about that back in January. This is something deeper and longer-lasting. Your joy is gone. You’re dissatisfied with where you are, you know you want something more or at least, something different. But you don’t know what that is.

This has happened to me several times. The worst was about ten years ago. My practice felt like mindless repetition. I had started a blog that very few people read. I had completed the OBOD training program and didn’t know where to go next. Nothing was “wrong” but nothing was satisfying either. I was keeping up with my devotions, but not much more.

I needed help to get off that plateau.

Here are five things you can do to get yourself off a spiritual plateau and moving forward again.

Go on a retreat

There’s nothing like a change of environment to change your thinking patterns. A few years ago I studied briefly with a Buddhist teacher (I was trying to learn meditation techniques) who recommended weekend retreats every three months and week-long retreats once a year. I enjoy our hotel-based Pagan conferences and conventions, but there’s nothing like the retreats into the woods to help you focus on being Pagan 24/7 for a while.

Organized retreats can be hard to find, and the ones that exist are usually tradition-specific. You can do your own retreat: go rent a camp site or a cabin for a few days. Plan some structured activities, especially devotion and worship. Schedule some time for meditation and contemplation. And leave some time completely unscheduled – just don’t spend it looking at your phone.

Most of us have obligations around work and family that make getting away challenging. Cost can be a problem. But if you’re stuck on a spiritual plateau, a few days away from your routine and focusing solely on your religious and spiritual life can be very helpful.

2015 OBOD East Coast Gathering

Hire a spiritual director

When I was stuck on my worst plateau, nothing seemed to work. So I contacted Thorn Coyle, who I knew did spiritual direction (that was 10 years ago – I don’t know if they still do this work or not). Thorn said their work was “holding a mirror up so people could see themselves.” It wasn’t therapy – it was a combination of listening, recommending spiritual practices, and facilitating accountability.

I’ve talked with people who’ve engaged spiritual directors in other religious traditions – they’ve done much the same thing. Sometimes you need someone who can help you see what you’re missing, and someone who will insist that you do what you say you want to do.

Perhaps there’s an elder in your tradition who could fill this role for you. Or perhaps a local leader in an adjacent tradition – sometimes a different spiritual perspective can be helpful (so long as it’s not antagonistically different). I do this work, but I don’t do it often, and I don’t do it for free – consider me an option of last resort.

As with retreats, there are costs involved that will be prohibitive for some. But if you can afford a spiritual director, they can be very helpful.

Begin a structured training program

Spiritual plateaus usually manifest in one of two ways. Either you don’t know what to do, or you know what to do but you don’t know how to do it. A structured training program can help with both.

I’m an OBOD Druid – I completed their three-tiered program of Bard, Ovate, and Druid. It’s arguably the best spiritual training program in any Pagan tradition. It’s not cheap and it’s not quick – it’s nominally a three-year program, but virtually no one finishes that quickly (it took me 5½ years). And it’s more “spiritual technology” than devotion or magic. But what it does, it does well.

I’m a member of ADF, but I have not done their Dedicant Program. Those who have tell me it’s a very good introduction to modern polytheist Paganism. ADF’s other programs are also good.

Other traditions have their own programs – most of them are helpful in their own way. Just beware of chasing certificates. Our mainstream society places an extraordinary value on degrees and certifications – that often carries over into our religious world. While I’m a strong supporter of education, degrees for the sake of degrees accomplishes little.

Still, if you’re stuck on a spiritual plateau, the structure provided by a training program may be what you need to get you off of it.

Do a transformative working

Maybe you don’t have the time or money for any of the above. Or maybe you tried it and it didn’t work. Completing the OBOD program and attending two Druid retreats showed me I was on a plateau, but they didn’t get me off of it. Or maybe your need is less in this world and more in the world of spirit.

Then perhaps what you need is a transformative working.

If you’re part of a tradition that performs initiations, see what is required. If you meet the requirements, or if you’re close, ask for it. Remember that initiation does not begin when the ceremony starts. Initiation begins when you start asking about it and doing research about. Say “I want in” and you will be heard, though by whom is never certain.

Self-initiation is difficult but possible. This post from last year explores what it can and can’t do in more detail.

I had considerable success performing the Headless Rite. Some people use it as a regular rite of cleansing, like the LBRP. I did it as a one-time thing, although I did a lot of rehearsal that may have had a cumulative effect. I have no good single reference for this. Google it, read all the top sources, and come up with a revision that works for you.

There are other options for transformative workings – the process of finding and/or creating the right one can be as helpful as actually doing the working. Find what works for you.

Become a monk (for a while)

We usually think of monks in either a Christian or a Buddhist context. But several of the ancient Pagan traditions included priests and priestesses who served as dedicated religious practitioners, either on a short-term or long-term basis. They dedicated themselves to serving their Gods above all else.

You need not find a cloistered monastery to adopt a monastic way of life, at least for a short time. All you need to do is accelerate and amplify your regular spiritual practice.

Set aside regular times for prayer every day. No matter how busy you are, you can find two or three minutes to step outside, ground and center, and pray some combination of scripted and extemporaneous prayer.

Make offerings every day. Set aside a time to approach your altar, say the necessary prayers, and offer food and/or drink to your Gods.

Do a full rite of worship at least once a week – something that takes 30 to 60 minutes. If you can do it more frequently, great. Just make sure you keep a regular schedule – consistency matters.

You don’t have to announce your monasticism to the world – and as far as I’m concerned, you shouldn’t. But you may want to make a subtle change in your wardrobe, jewelry, or hairstyle – something reminds you that you’ve taken on religious obligations.

Do not expect quick results from monastic practice. Its benefits come slowly and gradually, as the practices stop being something you do and start being something you are. But when you do them faithfully, eventually you will find yourself looking back and saying “wow – I guess I have come a long way since I started.”

Progress of any sort is not linear. Life isn’t linear. There will always be ups and downs, and there will be plateaus – those times when we feel stuck in our spirituality. Recognizing that you’re on a plateau is a good thing – it’s the first step in getting yourself off of it.

Blessings to you as you navigate the ups and downs – and the flat spots – of your spiritual journey.

Previous Post

July 15, 2021

No, You Didn't Choose to Suffer

Next Post

July 20, 2021 Miracles, Myths, and Magic

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Books Community CUUPS Druidry Foundations and Context Gods and Goddesses Magic Myth Nature Ritual Spiritual Practice Theology Travel Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What event led to the great flood in Genesis?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Worshiping golden calves Tower of Babel Cain’s murder of Abel Human wickedness