Q. How can I tell if I am making progress on the spiritual path?

A. Progress on the spiritual path can be measured by the expansion of spiritual qualities. This occurs in three stages. In the first stage, we experience nothing. There is expansion of love, courage, peace, and strength, but the increase is subtle and imperceptible. In stage two, we feel these qualities expanding. This experience is tangible, concrete, and unmistakable. In stage three, there is a distinct transformation of consciousness. We experience unfathomable stillness, the changeless peace of the soul, ecstatic love, pure joy, intuitive wisdom, cosmic sound, divine light, oneness with everything, disembodied consciousness, and other wonderful expressions of Spirit.

Although our experience is tangible in stage two and dramatic in stage three, the growth of spiritual qualities is slow. Do not expect results right away. There will be times when we think we are not moving at all. Sometimes we slip backwards, but sometimes we have to go backwards in order to go forward, and all effort is progress.

When we make the effort, we are advancing, even when we can’t see it. If we keep going, we will eventually see progress. Each time we practice affirmations, meditation, prayer, mindfulness, service, or other spiritual methods, we are putting wisdom, strength, courage, and other currency in our spiritual bank account. When the time comes and credit is due, we can take them out.

Spiritual work is lifelong and continuous. This is not something we do for a few weeks or months. Life is always school. The only question is whether we attend the classes, do the homework, and pass the tests. If we do the work, one by one our problems are contained, reduced, pulverized, or dissolved, and replaced by positive qualities and habits. Eventually we achieve mastery, a state of sustained superconsciousness in both meditation and activity.