Question: Is there any outer sign of spiritual progress?
Sri Chinmoy: The outer sign of progress is inner joy. This inner joy is not like a mad elephant. This inner joy is something very sweet, intense and all the time fulfilling: fulfilling in our thoughts and fulfilling in our actions, at every moment, for whoever is in touch with us and whoever thinks of us. This is inner joy.
Sri Chinmoy, Perfection and transcendence, Agni Press, 1977