Plural instances of waking up or becoming conscious; moments when someone suddenly understands or becomes aware of something important.
From Old English 'awæcnan' (to awake) + -ing (present participle) + -s (plural). The root 'wæc-' relates to waking or watching. Over time, 'awakening' expanded from the physical act of waking to metaphorical uses for spiritual or intellectual realization.
Many religions and spiritual traditions describe pivotal 'awakenings' as life-changing moments—like Buddha's enlightenment or religious conversions—suggesting humans have always understood that consciousness itself can shift in profound ways.
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