Introspection and self-assessment is the only way for each individual to assess their progress on the spiritual path.

The majority of people are suffering from the slavery of their uncontrolled thoughts — a constant stream of mental chatter, whether useful or useless, that runs through the waking mind and also invades sleep. As a result, they experience poor quality of sleep, mental restlessness, mind chatter, attention deficit, etc.

True spiritual growth is the tangible journey from this state of mind-chatter and mental restlessness to inner peace, mental clarity, calmness, and profound stillness.

Think of your phone when too many apps are running in the background. The battery drains fast. The screen freezes. Everything becomes slow and glitchy. You close the apps, and suddenly the phone works perfectly again. You didn't buy a new phone. You didn't add anything. You simply stopped what was draining it.

Your mind is the same. Mental chatter is the background apps — constantly running, constantly draining your energy, your focus, your sleep, your peace. The more apps running, the worse the phone performs. The more thoughts churning, the worse you feel. You don't need to add calmness. You need to stop what is disturbing it.

Or think of a muddy lake. When the water is disturbed, the mud rises and everything is cloudy. You cannot see through it. The more you stir it, the muddier it gets. Leave the lake alone, and slowly the mud settles. The water becomes clear. You did not add clarity. The clarity was always there — you simply stopped disturbing it.

This is the spiritual path. You are not adding stillness. The stillness is already there — beneath the churning. Just as calmness is not the absence of restlessness — it is what remains when restlessness settles. Just as cold is not a force — it is what remains when heat is removed. Just as darkness is not a substance — it is what remains when light is absent. Restlessness is not your natural state. It is what happens when consciousness is low. Calmness is your natural state. It is what returns when consciousness rises.

This is why introspection is the only measure. No one else can tell you whether your mind is churning or still. No blood test can measure it. No scan can detect it. Just as science cannot measure love, compassion, or empathy — science cannot measure the calmness of your mind. Only you can feel it. Only you can assess it.

And the assessment is simple. Ask yourself:

How much of my day is spent in mental chatter versus calmness?

How easily can I focus on one thing without my mind wandering?

How is the quality of my sleep — restful or invaded by thoughts?

When something goes wrong, do I react with frustration or respond with clarity?

As you advance on your spiritual path, you will notice the gradual reduction and relief from mind-chatter, and experience a subtle but meaningful shift towards inner peace, being present, self-awareness, and calmness.

The spectrum is clear. On one end: mind-chatter, restlessness, poor sleep, reactivity, frustration. On the other end: calmness, clarity, restful sleep, responsiveness, stillness. Where you stand on this spectrum — only you can know.

And here is the deepest truth: the very fact that you are asking this question — "am I making progress?" — is itself a sign of introspection. Which means you are already on the path. The person who never asks this question is the one who is not.