It is easy to tell if a diet is working, all you have to do is get on a scale and weigh yourself.  It is easy to tell if the workouts at the gym are working, you just measure the muscle growth with a tape measure.  Spiritual development is not so easy to measure.  A good spiritual teacher can tell if you are growing spiritually, but it's not so easy to tell yourself.  One thing that helps those of us in the International Community of Christ is that we are encouraged to maintain a journal.  Teachers can than get some idea from your journal if you are growing and if you heading in the correct direction.  There are some things that can help you tell on your own if you are growing spiritually:

• You are more tolerant and understanding of those who are different or have different opinions than you
• People and animals are attracted to you for unknown reasons (spiritual Light attracts spirits the way physical light attracts moths)
• Your dreams are more vivid, prophetic, and spiritual
• You find yourself wanting to learn new things and gain new understanding of yourself and the world around you
• You have greater appreciation for the beauty and symmetry of nature

 Here is a little experiment you can try  for testing the second item on the list.  On a nice day, sit outside, on the ground or in a chair, in an area where birds or squirrels come around.  Relax, stay quiet, and imagine yourself filling with spiritual light.   Without staring directly at them, which will frighten them away, notice if the birds and animals move closer to you.  If they do, that is a good indication that you are becoming more spiritual, but don't be disappointed if they don't, they may be avoiding you for other reasons.  This rarely works the first time, so you have to do it more than once.