It’s normal for sincere spiritual seekers to feel discouraged about their progress. Beginners may worry they aren’t meditating correctly, while those with some experience might wonder if they’ll ever truly feel God’s presence. I recently had a moment of self-doubt after meditation when I was reminded that recognizing the limitations of the material world is a key step towards spiritual freedom. Yogananda speaks about the “anguishing monotony” from lifetimes of pursuing worldly happiness, but our commitment to seeking a deeper reality ultimately guides us closer to God, even if we don’t see obvious changes in ourselves. A touching moment with Swami Kriyananda reinforced this for me when he assured me that I’d grown tremendously, despite my own doubts. Unlike worldly success, spiritual growth demands faith; every effort brings us nearer to true joy. At this time of year, Yogananda noted that Christ consciousness is more accessible to those who open their hearts. Regardless of which traditions you celebrate, the presence of God welcomes all paths. To feel this Divine Presence, Yogananda initiated the beautiful tradition of an eight-hour meditation on December 23rd, and I encourage anyone near an Ananda community or center to join. For those further away, there’s an online meditation on December 21st.