Lately I've been waking up in the middle of the night "surprised" to be alive...

[Mister Obvious]

Possibly you experiencing external interactions like an empath or you becoming a shaman that communicates with nature.

For years, I have been called toward shamanism...

I find it to be more than coincidence that this is your impression of the situation.

I value your input VERY much.

I will be thinking about this.