Progress in Sant Mat’s inner Light-and-Sound path isn’t tracked by checkboxes or heart-rate charts—it’s felt in subtle shifts of awareness and heart. A few signposts along the trail:

• Emerging Inner Experiences
– At first, glimpses of gentle luminosity behind closed eyelids might pop up like fireflies on a summer night. Over weeks and months, that glow grows steadier, morphing from faint sparks into consistent radiance.
– Similarly, subtle sounds—sometimes described as distant bells, harp strings or ocean waves—start as fleeting echoes and gradually gain clarity, eventually becoming the “constant companion” during meditation sessions.

• Deepening Focus and Equanimity
– Distractions still crop up, but the mind’s usual chatter softens. Each returned focus acts like adding another brick to a sturdy wall against restlessness.
– Daily life feels less of a roller-coaster. Emotional swings lose their punch: irritations dissolve faster, joy doesn’t play hide-and-seek so often, and a sense of even-minded calm becomes more the norm than the exception.

• Transformation of Priorities
– Worldly pursuits that once held sway—social media binges, endless news feeds—are no longer the main event. A yearning for inner connection takes center stage.
– Conversations with friends and family may gradually shift toward purpose, compassion and selfless service rather than the usual small talk.

• Measurable Consistency
– Regularity of practice is as crucial as inner experiences. If a meditator logs fifteen minutes twice daily without fail—via in-person satsangs or virtual gatherings blossoming since the pandemic—that dedication itself reflects growth.
– Sharing experiences with a guide or satsang group offers checkpoints: fresh insights, personal anecdotes and gentle course corrections help ensure a steady climb.

• Overall Well-Being
– Increased energy, clearer sleep patterns and improved resilience under pressure often accompany inner progress. When daily life starts feeling lighter, it’s a good sign that the inner engine’s running smoothly.

Just like a seasoned gardener noticing subtle blooms before full blossom, practitioners gauge progress through these evolving inner signs and life-enhancing shifts.