Signs of Spiritual Progress: You May Be Doing Better Than You Think

Self-Realization Fellowship sannyasi Swami Devananda Giri draws on the wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda to convey how inner growth is subtle and taking small steps on the spiritual path is gradually but surely leading us to the goal of God-realization. Through encouraging stories he details signs of advancement: asking deeper questions about existence, seeking and following a true guru, becoming calmer in daily life, and developing resolute perseverance. Personal imperfections and life’s obstacles need not deter us, he explains; they offer us opportunities to cultivate inner strength, and most importantly love for God. This talk with a period of meditation was given at the SRF temple in Phoenix, Arizona, in August 2025.