Spiritual awareness brings with it a whole host of interesting experiences and phenomena, many of which make little sense to the logical mind.
In meditation we can experience a variety of ‘unusual’ visual symptoms such as seeing flashing lights, geometry, colors etc. Each represents something a little different on a spiritual level.
Oftentimes these manifestations can shock or surprise us, and one of the first things we’ll want to do is gain some reassurance. I’ve been there too! Googling stuff I’ve seen in meditation hoping to find a simple to understand explanation.
Sometimes you are experiencing something purely mental, your brain throwing out something interesting due to sensory deprivation, other times there is a deeper meaning. It’s important to differentiate between the two. For the most part you have nothing to worry about!
In this blog I want to go over what it really means when you see flashes of light while meditating, what this says about your spiritual development and what to do after.
Before you proceed, rule out any medical causes. Meditation/increasing your spiritual awareness is great in that it opens you to a wider range of experiences and allows you to perceive the world through your subtle senses, but it can also highlight existing underlining problems.
7 Spiritual Meanings of Seeing Flashes of Light During Meditation
Spiritual awareness is expanding
Sometimes you want to take a broad interpretations of the phenomena you are experiencing, so that you do not become too attached to one meaning. These experiences are great, but they are temporary and the point is to just be in them without holding on or forcing.
Quite simply, seeing flashes of light with eyes closed or open more regularly, is a great sign that your spiritual awareness is increasing. You are becoming more deeply aware of the fact that we are not just physical beings.
Your guides or angels are near
One common reason we see flashes of light while meditating is because our guides or angels are nearby and trying to send a message. Guides and angels are very high vibrational, oftentimes we do not see them in physical form but as pure, bright energy.
You will be able to tell if this is the case by what follows. Notice if you can feel a presence or identify the specific quality of your angel/guide. Generally speaking this means feeling warm, uplifted and full of love.
If you feel called intuitively you can call on your guides and ask for message (if one is not coming through). But generally, don’t push anything. The more we meditate, the stronger our connection with our guides becomes and the clearer communication gets.
Your third eye is opening
The third eye chakra is an energy center that is located between your eyebrows, it governs intuition and spiritual perception. Often when our third eye becomes active during meditation we will see colors like purple, but in some cases just a light.
A few times when I have been meditating or on the brink of sleep in a very relaxed and tuned in space, I will notice a flash of light and then feel a slapping sensation between my brows. As if a person was literally next to me and tapped my forehead with their hand.
When our third eye opens we are able to perceive the deeper layers or reality. Perceive energies, auras, spirits etc. It is a very uplifting experience if we enter it in a grounded way!
You’re about to receive an intuitive message
A lot of visual experiences like this as meant to alert us to an intuitive nudge, but if we get too attached to the ‘light show’ we miss out on the deeper message underneath.
When you perceive any sort of light or color during meditation be with the experience fully but keep your awareness centered.
Do not get carried away or attach to what you are seeing, notice if any intuitive messages are coming up alongside the experience. Words, phrases, or important sensations in the body.
A loved one in spirit is visiting
Similar to guides and angels, a loved one visiting generates a lot of light. It takes a lot of energy to show up in form as a spirit, or to make presence known.
This one should be approached with caution, as we attach a lot of emotion to connecting with loved ones who have passed over. Try to be as objective a possible (I know that’s ironic in this context), you’ll know a loved one is near for sure on an intuitive level – you won’t have an explanation but you will just know.
You’re experiencing an energetic purge
When we raise our spiritual awareness it makes us very aware of our shadow. The shadow self is the unconscious aspect of our psyche which contains all of our negative or ‘hidden’ traits.
When these shadows come up to the surface we may experience a sort of purging. This can manifest as an energetic ‘flu’, head or body aches, vibrations or tingles in the body. Old things are clearing out! In a similar way we can perceive flashes of light as a sign more is being integrated into our system.
You’re picking up on something in your environment
Finally, you might be picking up on something else nearby such as electronic interference, or something residing on the astral plane. Everything physical has an energetic counterpart that is out of sight when our spiritual senses are dull.
Sometimes you do not know for sure what you are picking up on, and in those cases you go by vibe.
If it feel pleasant you can acknowledge it, but continue with your meditation/whatever you are doing. Same if it is neutral. If it feels negative, remain detached and clear your energy field with breathwork, prayer or affirmation.
What Should You Do If You See Flashes of Light?
As I’ve mentioned oftentimes we get attached to this phenomena. At the start of my journey I got very interested in trying to open the third eye, and wanted to do so as quickly as possible.
I saw lights, colors, geometry very quickly, but I also become incredibly aware of my shadow! I didn’t just see the light, I also saw the darkness. I don’t regret my journey but it did teach me the importance of doing things the right way.
Going slow, remaining grounded and not chasing spiritual highs.
When you experience interesting meditation phenomena:
- Pause and take some deep breaths
- Be present in the experience
- Journal once you are finished
- Ask your intuition for any relevant messages
- Most importantly, stay grounded
FAQ
Is seeing flashes of light a spiritual sign?
Not always! Sometimes seeing lights is a mental/psychological experience rather than a spiritual one. You can tell the difference by how it leaves you feeling. If you feel uplifted, full of love or intuitively guided (suddenly inspired) then you are having a deeper experience.
Why do I see flashes of light during meditation?
You spiritual awareness is increasing and third eye opening. You are becoming more aware of the energies around you, in the body and different dimensions of consciousness.
Are flashes of light a sign of spirit guides?
Sometimes! Flashes of light can signal the presence of guides, angels or loved ones in spirit.
Why do I see sparkles of light in the air?
I usually connect this to an angelic presence. When you see sparkles as opposed to one solid white light, you know you are dealing with something ‘lighter’ in spiritual terms – something with a higher vibration.
Is seeing flashes of light normal during spiritual awakening?
Yes this is a completely normal experience shared by millions of people worldwide. You have nothing to be worried about. Allow the experience but do not become overly attached to or chase it.
Should I worry about seeing flashes of light?
Generally there is nothing to worry about, but practice good discernment and if you have any concerns reach out to a professional (spiritual or medical).
Further Reading:
What Colors Mean During Meditation
Have you experienced something like this?
Hey there, I’m Ashley. I hope that by sharing my experiences with deepening my intuition, I can help you find that ‘spark’. That magic we can all experience when our energy is aligned and we feel deeply supported by the Universe.