Signs of spiritual progress.

Identifying the signs of progress is vital as a self-monitoring tool. This is done by comparing the achievements with us. This is not comparing us with others, the effect will be adverse and the feelings developed will not be those that are desired for further progress. Every individual is unique thus results will not match.

The first sign can be a feeling of joy, a satisfaction that we are on the path to meet the ultimate reality and unification with the supreme is what fuels this. This power will ensure that the happenings in the surrounding will not affect us, a unique sense of detachment with indifference, a feeling of inner peace with oneself. Note this feeling in extreme sense develops bad ego unsuitable for progress.

The second more significant sign can be, the capacity to understand, this has relationship with compassion, not as pity but a enticing attitude of love for oneself, this is because when the topic is not understood then we stagnate. Understanding removes this and clarity is restored. It can be like becoming selfish, but without relationship with others. This is so pure selfishness that it desires not to hurt aspirant or others.

The third sign can be a feeling of sharing everything with everyone; this generates a feeling of oneness with all. This strengthens the foundation that is necessary for further progress. More understanding becomes aware to the aspirant. Actually, this is to remove the doubt, confirm, or validate the understanding. Remember the law of giving; more things come only if we give it to others, as we are not different from them, thus we are giving it to ourselves.

The Fourth sign can be our health improves, due to refined way of thinking and mind being in a state of joy. This is more prominently true if we had a mild or serious illness in the recent past (may be due to purification of the body as spiritual practice can suddenly release these trapped energies if the aspirant used methods to accelerate his practice more than that the body mind and spirit take.).  We can use this as a measure to gauge our spiritual practice I the initial stages to develop a routine.

The fifth sign can be a opportunities to learn more and new things related to our practice, this can come as intuition, dreams, books, meeting some one or just get involved with some one in a conversation.

The six sign can be a ability to see minute details; this is actually sharpening our senses both internal and external. As light sound shapes and figures.

The seventh sign can be seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, or tasting something new without actually eating anything.

The eighth sign can be recognizing people from the past with no relation to this life

The ninth sign can be divine perception

The tenth sign can be guidance and help in all acts of our daily life.

The eleventh sign can be all our work is completed without much effort. Alternatively, volume of the work increases dramatically.

This is not the end of the list or limited to what is written here is what the aspirant should see as definite stages, it does not say that if these are not experienced then progress is not taking place. All this means is that grace is being experienced either from one’s own soul or from external souls. It is our advice not to be attached to these as they are hindrances to progress, they may be also tests!

We have given these here so that one can recognize progress that is actually taking place but not understood by aspirants. This anticipation can also manifest itself as per the golden rule or Law of the universe ‘WE CREATE WHAT WE DESIRE’.