How to Measure Your Spiritual Growth — A Hans Wilhelm Test

Hi, I'm Hans Wilhelm. How do we know if we're  truly growing spiritually? How can we measure   our spiritual progress? In this video I will give  you a simple example where you can consider for   yourself how you would have reacted in these  situations. Imagine a person who has never   believed in any spiritual principles. Like  the vast majority, he's focused on material   achievements and lives accordingly, striving  for worldly success and maintaining a fast-paced   lifestyle with little rest or self-reflection.   One evening, after a long, exhausting day,   he joins friends for dinner. One of the guests  has a nasty cold and sneezes throughout the   meal. Soon after, our guy here falls ill and  ends up bedridden for two weeks. Every day,   he curses the guest for ruining his health and  wasting his time. Lying in bed he also wallows   in self-pity. When he finally returns to work,  his boss is frustrated by his absence, as he was   needed during a critical period. They argue, which  only fuels his anger. Now, he blames his boss for   being insensitive to his situation. That evening,  stewing in frustration, he leaves the office. As   he reverses his car, he accidentally crashes into  a tree, damaging the bumper. Now he's even more   furious. This cycle could continue, with every  incident adding to his frustration, as he blames   everyone and everything around him. But this  example should suffice. Most people would have   reacted similarly, viewing themselves as victims  of circumstances and others. Now, let's explore   how someone with some spiritual perspective  might approach these identical challenges:    First, they might remember that there are no  true accidents in life, and thus no real victims.   Nothing happens to us; rather, everything happens  for us. Every difficulty or challenge appears   in our lives to help us grow and to resolve or  soften the karmic burdens we encounter moment by   moment. In my video, *Your Life Is On Rewind*,  we explore how our experiences our sensing,   feeling, thinking, speaking, and acting are  stored, among other places, in the stars, the   cosmic computer. Over time, these actions return  to us as karma, becoming the daily challenges we   face. We are, ultimately, the originators of these  experiences. Moreover, before we were born during   our pre-life review, we glimpsed significant  challenges we would encounter in this life and   agreed to face them. No one is here on Earth  against their own free will. Gabriele writes:   "Each day is a gift. No matter what it brings us  it merely brings us back to ourselves. This is   not always pleasant. Our faults and weaknesses  often get us into difficulties. This is how the   learning tasks in the school of life called Earth  show themselves. They are impulses for rethinking,   for change." With this understanding in mind,  let's see how someone more enlightened might   experience the same day: Chances are, he wouldn't  arrive exhausted at his friend's dinner party,   as his main goal is the spiritual growth of his  soul. This focus leads him to prioritize regular   inner reflection and meditation, which naturally  keeps his energy in a higher vibration. When he   joins the dinner, his energy is less likely to  align with the guest who is unwell. In this state,   his higher frequency may make him less susceptible  to illness, as viruses or bacteria tend to operate   on lower frequencies. However, let's say that,  for karmic reasons, he does fall ill and has to   rest. Rather than blaming others, he would reflect  inwardly to see how he may have unknowingly   invited this experience. He would ask himself if  he'd been feeling, thinking, speaking, or acting   in ways contrary to love, peace, or harmony. Does  he need to forgive or make amends? Recognizing   that true healing comes from within, he would  call on the Christ light the source of healing   energy to restore his soul and body. By using this  time to surrender and allow healing, he may find   himself well again in a few days, rather than two  weeks. Upon returning to work, his unsympathetic   boss scolds him for being absent during a  busy period. Rather than reacting emotionally,   he takes a moment to reflect. His spiritual  understanding reminds him that the external   world mirrors his internal state. He might ask  himself: What is my boss reflecting back to me?   Have I been unsympathetic, bossy, or overbearing  with others or even with myself? If so,   how can I correct or transform these behaviors?   With a perspective focused on spiritual growth,   he may even see his boss as a teacher, helping him  uncover his own shortcomings. He may even feel a   sense of gratitude because his boss gives him the  opportunity to pay any old karmic debt which would   not be possible without this situation arising.   He might even recall Eckhart Tolle's words:   "Whatever the present moment contains, accept it  as if you have chosen it. Always work with it, not   against it. This will miraculously transform your  whole life." This reflection helps him to respond   calmly, viewing the situation as an opportunity  for soul growth. Later, as he leaves work and   drives home, his mind is at ease, allowing him to  drive with focus and potentially avoid an accident   altogether or at least minimize any mishap. Do we  see now the difference between these two people?   One sees himself as a passive victim and blames  others which makes his life worse. Whereas this   one sees opportunities for spiritual growths,  takes charge and becomes victorious over the   challenges he encounters. It is always a question  of our free will. Are we willing to do some   self-investigation and question every situation  and find the positive in it? Are we using our   free will to become free and happy again or keep  blaming others? To stay firmly on the spiritual   path, I am personally finding great support in  the daily spiritual inspirations that Gabriele   has given us in this wonderful book, called "God  Wants the Best For You!" For 365 days of the year,   we can find here powerful quotes, good advice,  assurance, and courage for making the best out of   all things. This little book has helped me a lot  to stay focused on my path. A link to this book is   beneath this video and don't forget to subscribe.  And then I will see you in my next video.