Inner Work 281: 5 Habits that BLOCK Your Spiritual Gifts & Growth (How to Recognize Them)

Every one of us carries innate spiritual gifts - intuition, healing abilities, multidimensional awareness, the capacity to sense what lies beyond the veil. But too often, without realizing it, we get in our own way and engage in habits or patterns that block the full expression of these gifts.  In this episode of INNER WORK, we explore five common (and often unconscious) habits that delay spiritual awakening and keep you from fully activating and living from your gifts... plus how to recognize each one with compassion, not judgment. This is a deep, honest look at the inner and outer obstacles that we often run into as humans on the spiritual path. There's no toxic shame or self-blaming here, just an open invitation to expand your awareness of these old patterns, release what doesn't serve, and reclaim your full, authentic power.  In this episode, we cover: Impatience & self-doubt — how fear-based doubt about your gifts (and your healing journey) can quietly sabotage your progress, and why meeting self-doubt with clarity — rather than believing it — is essential Slipping into unconsciousness or ego mind — the old coping mechanisms (overworking, people-pleasing, numbing out) that pull you out of presence, and how ego convinces you that you or your gifts "aren't enough" Spiritual bypassing — using spiritual tools, places, or practices to escape reality rather than integrating it, and why true growth requires grounding your spirituality in everyday human life Outgrowing or mismatching your support systems — how to discern when therapists, healers, or other guides are (or aren't) equipped to support you through a genuine spiritual awakening Energetic discernment — why being selective about who and what you allow into your inner circle and energy field directly impacts your ability to stay aligned and let your gifts flow Whether you're just beginning to awaken to your gifts or you're deepening your existing spiritual connection, this episode offers grounded, compassionate guidance for recognizing what's been holding you back... and reclaiming your full spiritual expression. For additional support, here's my "Activate Your Spiritual Gifts" Guided Meditation in the Akashic Records: https://youtu.be/Gdkqguu1kY0 I mentioned author, spiritual teacher, and psychiatrist Stanislav Grof in this episode. If you want to explore his work further, I recommend his books Spiritual Emergency and The Stormy Search for the Self. Thank you for being here, doing your inner work, and leading the way for others with your light. It makes a difference! **** Get the FREE Akashic Records Mini Course + weekly newsletter: https://josephinehardman.com/akashic-records-intro/ Explore YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@healer.josephine Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/healer.josephine Connect through my website: https://josephinehardman.com Contact: me@josephinehardman.com **** Inner Work 2026 All Rights Reserved.