The first step, the Dark Night, is the stage when one's spirit senses the nees to reach new spiritual depths. This stage is often the most confusing and painful. Detachment is another necessary process which may begin during the Dark Night, but must continue throughout the journey. Fortunately, detachment becomes easier with practice. Cleansing oneself of desires which interfere with the inner life, such as un healthy preoccupation with money, objects, occupations, and power struggles clears the mind to focus on the transition to the nest step, Illumination.
Illumination rewards the hard work of the Dark Night.
With illumination comes a sense of newness, as one's perceptions are more reflective. The end of the journey is centeredness, living in the heart of God. The third stage is Union with God. Since the spiritual journey is a life-long commitment, there is no telling how long it may take any given person to reach this level. Dr. Vanek, in response to a question regarding an atheist spiritual path, presented the idea that one does not need to believe in God to be connected to the spiritual self.