When I saw Awaken the Species by Neale Donald Walsch on Mindvalley, I was a little nervous. His first big pitch is to transform you into a “highly evolved human being.”
Even though I wasn’t sure what he meant, my curiosity drove me to enroll in the program to find out more.
After completing the quest, I don’t regret it one bit. It was an insightful, spiritual, and downright poetic quest — perhaps one of the best available on Mindvalley.
Awaken the Species is about embracing the process of your evolution as a spiritual human being.
After completing it, I figured I’d give you my Awaken The Species Review so that you could make your own decision on whether to embrace your own evolution.
What is Awaken The Species?
Awaken the Species is a Mindvalley Quest. Quests are basically monthslong masterclass courses where you’re taught self-improvement techniques and lessons via video lessons, F&Q sessions, and other interactive features.
Awaken the Species, by Neale Donald Walsch, is a 36-day quest that teaches you how to:
- Be a more loving and heart centered person
- Be clearer and more congruent in all communication
- Develop a liberating new view of justice and equality for all
- Eliminate scarcity thinking
- Give (and receive) more
- Develop a far deeper understanding of the Self
- Show up and make a bigger impact for loved ones, family, and community
- Understand one’s unique role in the Divine Plan for Global Change
Over the course of 36 days, Neale focuses on 16 specific behaviors like “Justice and Punishment” and “Sharing” that he breaks down through easily digestible, 15-minute video lessons.
On days that you aren’t learning about the 16 behaviors, you’re “reflecting and digesting” on the lessons that you’ve worked on.
What does this “reflecting and digesting look like?”
It looks a lot like guided journaling! Neale offers a prompt along with a guided journaling track (very relaxing), which allows you to reflect on the discussions you’ve previously had.
It has a nice rhythm of teach and reflect; learn and digest that helps you internalize all of the information that Neale Donald Walsch teaches.
So while the class could have wrapped up perhaps in 16 days (one for each behavior), Neale (and the learners) choose to slow it down, to allow you to really experience your awakening.
It’s beautiful.
Who is Neale Donald Walsch?
Neale Donald Walsch an author and speaker best known for writing the “Conversations with God” series of books.
His first book, Conversations with God, stayed in the New York Times Bestseller list for two and a half years and has been translated into 37 languages.
The book series was inspired by Walsch’s life which hit the rock bottom in the early 1990s. His home was destroyed by a fire, burning all his belongings. He had several failed marriages under his belt. He was jobless and living on the streets. And worst of all, he had a car accident that left him with a broken neck. Instead of allowing these circumstances to beat him, he started writing as a way to make sense of his suffering and strengthen his faith.
Walsch has appeared in countless talk shows and documentaries. He is a prominent contributor at TheGlobalConversation.com and has his own Youtube channel.
Having spent most of his life writing and teaching on spiritual journeying, he’s now brought his teachings to Mindvalley with his Awaken The Species Mindvalley Quest.
Is Awaken the Species different than Conversations with God?
Yes. It is different.
If you’ve read “Conversations With God,” don’t fret about Neale covering the same ground.
Awaken the Species is different. This is a new course dedicated to helping people become spiritually evolved. It’s designed around your immersive spiritual journey.
There is a lot of fresh material introduced in this quest that even veteran fans of Walsh will learn a lot.
Conversations With God is a series of literal (if perhaps hypothetical) Conversations that Neale has with God.
Awaken the Species is not so on-the-nose. It’s much more about helping YOU on your spiritual journey in order to become a “highly evolved being.”
Yes, Neale is a religious person, and yes, his religious upbringing is very present in Awaken The Species, but his overall message is one of charity and generosity. If you’re a spiritual person, or even someone looking to live a life of purpose and community, there’s plenty of great stuff to get out of this Mindvalley Quest.
Don’t get me wrong. Walsch dives deeply into our societal concepts and understanding why we are programmed the way we are. He talks about God in a very frank and affirming nature. But he does so only to open our eyes to other, perhaps more conscious alternatives.
You won’t find yourself completely agreeing with him. But that’s exactly the point.
So what is Awaken The Species about?
Awaken the Species is about you. Recreating a new version of yourself that is completely aligned to your inner authentic being.
So let’s unpack what the heart of this quest is about in Neale Donald Walsch’s own words:
“The purpose of life is to recreate yourself anew in the next golden moment of now, in the next grandest version of the greatest vision ever you held about who you are.”
Neale Donald Walsch
Whaaat? I have to be honest: at the beginning of this Mindvalley quest, I had no idea what Neale meant.
But that was a good thing. Neale taught me.
And slowly as I walked through this quest it finally hit:
It’s about evolution.
The openness to change, the willingness to embrace it, and the surrender to whatever version of yourself you arrive at.
And it all starts with a whole lot of unpacking. Unpacking your childhood, your belief system, your current mindset, and questioning: Is this it? Can I be better?
The answer: There’s always a greater version of you out there. Because you are not meant to stay stagnant. Your beauty is your capacity for achieving greater heights.
So my advice: try to leave all your expectations behind. Be open and receptive to new ideas. If you’re ready, then Awaken the Species will absolutely blow your mind.
How much does Awaken the Species cost?
Digital access to Awaken the Species is currently at the discounted price of $349 ($999).
Here’s what you’ll get:
- lifetime access to the program through your desktop, mobile, or tablet.
- daily guidance, video and audio coaching from Neale for 36 days
- access to the program’s vibrant community of expert coaches and fellow students
- unconditional 10-day money-back guarantee and customer support at your disposal.
You also have the option to buy the Digital Access + Certificate bundle for only $399 ($1049). I personally always skip this. It’s a certificate that simply states your participation in this (albeit exclusive) quest. Still, I know some people who love to collect certificates and were delighted with their Awaken the Species one. So it might be something for you.
I was also a bit disappointed that there weren’t any bonus materials given on this quest. I’ve always received a bunch of guides/meditation materials from the previous Mandvalley quests I took. But Awaken the Species is actually cheaper than a lot of the other programs and the idea of participating in the only exclusive training Neale Donald Walsch offers is more than my money’s worth.
Accessing Awaken The Species with Mindvalley All Access Pass
At $349, Awaken The Species is already a great deal.
But what if I told you there was an even better deal available?
You see, Mindvalley has over 30 of these quests available. Each one can be taken for around 3-500 dollars.
They’re great programs, but the cost can quickly add up.
Luckily, Mindvalley has a subscription option called “Mindvalley All Access Pass.” This All Access Pass gives you access to 30+ quests on Mindvalley for an entire year!
The best part? The price!
Mindvalley All Access Pass is only $599.
That’s less than the cost of 2 classes! If you take 2 classes in a year, you’re getting your money’s worth.
So, if Awaken The Species piqued your interest, but you’re also interested in Conscious Uncoupling, then you seriously should consider checking out the Mindvalley All Access Pass to maximize your dollar!
How Awaken the Species works
Before I give you my final rating, I want to walk you through the program itself.
Awaken the Species is a 36-day quest designed in the Mindvalley “bite-sized learning” format. This means you’ll have to unlock the lessons per week and go through them daily. The lessons shouldn’t take more than an hour unless you really immerse yourself in the growth work/journalling.
Here’s what you can expect:
The lessons

Each lesson felt like a piece of art.
Neale Donald Walsch’s words were beautiful. Even from the start, at the intro piece called, A Reminder Of Who You Really Are, I found myself deeply touched by the truth in his words.
Here’s a particularly stunning quote:
“There’s a mechanism in place, there’s a process being undertaken in life by life itself. And that process is a process by which we, as the livers of this life, as those who are living into the experience, create the experience we are living into as a means of experiencing and expressing who we really are. That life exists in all of its forms, the beauty of the night sky, the wonder of a garden of flowers, the incredible expression of humanity itself, the feeling of love, and the glory of a great idea which has just come to someone and exploding within them, an awareness of something they can’t even name but they can feel.”
Neale Donald Walsch
This theme of the beauty of life itself continues through each video lesson.
You’ll feel at peace listening to Neale. He doesn’t say things simply to convince you but to touch you.
I really liked his wisdom and calming tone.
The video lessons are typically around 10 minutes long. Subtitles in English are available and you can speed up the video up to 2x. I don’t recommend this, as I think it’s important to take the course slowly to absorb all the information he has to offer.
Aside from the video lessons, Awaken The Species also has a workbook, which you use to complete journaling exercises each day.
The workbook


You’ll get a new workbook as you unlock each week. Unlike other Mindvalley quests, the workbook is instrumental in completing the quest.
You will have to use them and rely on them throughout the whole program. They’re full of exercises that will enable you to quickly apply what you’ve learned in the video lessons.
Since they’re electronic downloads, you can either type your answers directly into them or print them out (like I did) and write your answers in by hand. Honestly, do whichever one feels best. There’s no wrong answer.
From my perspective, going through the workbook exercises was fundamental to completing the quest. They inspired self-reflection, deepened my learning, and helped me along my spiritual evolution.
You might find it a bit awkward at first, especially if you’re new to writing your thoughts. But remember, no one will see it but you. At the end of the quest, you could even look back to your notes and see for yourself how much growth and progress you’ve gained.
The tasks

There are also tasks for you to do. Sometimes they’re the same tasks for the rest of the week, other times there are different ones per day. I guess these tasks can be optional. You can choose to not “contact one person today and reveal what you have withheld and why,” for example.
But keep in mind, these tasks are designed to put your discoveries to the test and elevate your growth work. Walsch is all about “guidance.” So I highly suggest doing them. Some of them are extremely hard. Some might be silly.
But as I said, you have to be completely open to the process if you decide to take on this quest.
The Tribe
One of my favorite things about taking Mindvalley quests is The Tribe. Each program has its own exclusive community in the form of a private Facebook group. You can access it using a secret paraphrase you can only get if you enroll.
Mindvalley’s tribes are all lively and filled with passionate students who are not shy to share to express their thoughts or share their learnings. Awaken the Species’ tribe is just as vibrant.
I’m not really much of a participant. I’m usually content with simply observing. But I pushed myself to be more “out there” than usual, thanks to my recent experience taking Lisa Nichol’s Speak and Inspire quest. But anyway, I absolutely loved my experience with the Tribe.
Although the main focus of Awaken the Species is on your own evolutionary journey, Neale Donald Walsch’s ultimate goal is to create a chain reaction where “awakened souls” can inspire others to experience heightened awareness, too. And people in this tribe really took that at heart.
It’s really cool to share thoughts with like-minded people. Especially since not a lot of my friends can relate to my passion for personal development. Suffice it to say, I’m sure you’ll find this part of the quest incredibly fun and socially satisfying!
Who is Awaken the Species for?
Awaken the Species is a great Mindvalley Quest for anyone who is looking for a spiritual journey.
Additionally, I’d say that people who believe in a higher power (or are open to the existence of a higher power) will benefit fromt his quest more than those who do not believe in a higher power.
It’s no knock either way, but the truth is that Neale is a religious person who believes in God, and his class is structured around how God informs our existence.
If you’re open to that, you’ll really love Awaken the Species. If you’re not open to that possibility, this class might be a little frustrating for you.
Additionally, I found this class to be very focused on how we can be more selfless people. This was a unique spiritual class that was less about “how can I manifest good things” and more about “how can I be a good person who helps others.”
If you’re looking to make a difference in others’ lives by creating a fulfilling life, Awaken the Species is an excellent quest to take.
Who might not like Awaken the Species?
If you’re a pretty committed atheist who writes off the possibility of the divine, you’re probably not going to like Awaken The Species.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a class that’s about delivering results around increasing wealth, attracting a sexual partner, or getting a job promotion; this class probably isn’t for you.
Awaken the Species is much more about evolving as a spiritual being, and that evolution revolves around generosity and selflessness, not nailing a major pay raise. So if you’re looking for something a little more around the “here and now,” you may want to consider other Mindvalley quests.
Awaken the Species alternatives
It’s always a good thing to do some research and determine your best options before you do a major purchase. If you’re looking at similar programs/masterclasses to Awaken the Species, here are a few alternatives to consider.
Embrace Your Inner Beast with Rudá Iandê (free)
“We are all wild by nature. We are as wild as the nature around us and every creature on this planet. Although we have created civilization with all its social rules, we have developed so much of our intellect. We keep being wild on our core. Our ferocity is essential not only for our survival but for feeling alive, for being in touch with our soul, with what makes us really powerful, passionate—what makes us feel alive.”
Rudá Iandê
If you’re not really the religious type, Rudá Iandê’s teachings might be the perfect alternative for you. I was first introduced to Rudá when I started working for Ideapod and helped with an article on authenticity. (You can read it here. It’s brilliant.)
Since then, I’ve taken a lot of his masterclasses and have had a very intuitive journey towards consciousness.
A lot of Rudá’s teachings are centered on embracing ourselves in our most natural state. That means embracing the purest elements of us—emotions, thoughts, needs, desires—and learn to give them space in our daily lives.
Embrace Your Inner Beast is a great introduction to Rudá’s teachings because it encapsulates our inner need for expression through anger, one of the most misunderstood human emotions ever.
Duality by Jeffrey Allen
Duality by Jeffrey Allen is similar to Awaken the Species in the sense that it’s about being aligned with your ideal vision of yourself. It’s more energy-centric so it’s also a great option if you’d rather not go the religious route.
Duality is a very slow-paced course and the idea of energy work might be something new to you. But I found it incredibly helpful when it came to increasing my productivity and creating better relationships with others and the world around me.
If you’re reserving judgment for Awaken the Species, Duality could be a good choice to soften you up before the intensity of Neale Donald Walsch’s quest. I took it before this one and I realized it was actually quite a nice contrast. Both, together, gave me a lot to think about and learn.
Read my review of Duality here.
Awaken The Species review: is it worth it?
Before I give you my final answer, I want to go over the pros and cons of Awaken the Species.
As with everything I review, there were many things I liked, and a few I thought could be better.
Pros
Beautiful lessons
Everything that Neale Donald Walsch teaches is beautiful. The 15 minute lessons are filled with calming, profound, and well-paced insights that have a real inspiring and introspective effect. The content of the course was, without a doubt, a true highlight.
Strong emphasis on how we connect with humanity
I loved the fact that this class preached generosity and selflessness. There is a real focus on how we treat our planet and each inhabitant on Earth. I truly feel that everyone would benefit from these lessons.
Thoughtful pace
While the class does stretch for 36 days, the pace is purposefully relaxed so that you can internalize the lessons that Neale teaches. I really liked being able to contemplate his lessons during the journaling exercises.
Workbook
The workbook in Awaken the Species was another highlight, as it was very thoughtfully incorporated into each lesson. Unlike some other Mindvalley classes, Awaken the Species required the use of the workbook, which helped me take the lessons Neale taught me and really incorporate them into my life.
Cons
As with every class, there were a few things I wished were better.
It’s just Neale
This is a double-edged sword. The videos are just Neale talking to you. Granted, Neale says some amazing stuff, and his voice is very soothing, but there isn’t any variety to the types of videos he puts out. Each one is just him giving you a 15-minute lesson.
It’s on the longer side
At 36 days, this course is a bit longer than some of the others on Mindvalley, which might put some people off. However, many of the days are devoted to digesting earlier lessons, which I thought helped me really master the information.
My thoughts: Is Awaken the Species worth it?
My answer is a resounding yes. Awaken the Species is absolutely worth it.
This is a holistic journey that requires personal bravery. Even though Neale is a kind and calming leader, some of the steps of spiritual evolution may make you feel bad about yourself. You’ll feel shame, guilt, regret—but it’s all part of your journey toward heightened awareness.
Before you can even begin to envision your greatest potential, you need to let go of old, debilitating beliefs and habits that were holding you back. And that part will hurt. It always takes an insane amount of courage to face your mistakes. That’s why it’s called growing pains.
And I’m here to say, it is worth it to go through that pain.
Taking Awaken the Species might not take you on a complete spiritual journey to enlightenment, but it’ll really catapult your spiritual awakening. It’s an amazing boost along your spiritual journey that you use as a tool to help bring yourself and others further along the path to enlightenment.
As Walsch says at the beginning of this quest:
“I believe this material was placed before you by your soul. I don’t think it’s serendipity. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Nor do I think it’s a sheer stroke of luck that this bery unusual program came to your attention and that you decided to sign up for it. I believe it’s your soul’s intention that you will awaken your mind to who you truly are. That will produce behaviors which will awaken possibilities in others, to know and experience who they truly are.”
I don’t think it’s a stroke of luck either. I think it’s our intention to awaken our souls to the possibilities of spiritual evolution.
And that first step is to join Neale on his Mindvalley Quest: Awaken the Species.
Conclusion
Neale Donald Walsch’s Awaken the Species is a compelling spiritual journey on Mindvalley. If you’re looking to see how you can discover your life’s purpose, evolve your spirit, and see how you fit in within the grand scheme of life, you owe it to yourself to check out this quest.
I did, even though I was nervous about “evolving myself,” and I am so glad that I did. It is the start of a great spiritual journey that I will continue to take every day.