How to Tell if Meditation Is Working for You

“Feeling better” is hard to measure. Here’s what you can try.

Here’s one way you could track your meditation progress (Illustration: Author)

Late last year, my neighbor installed two security lights on the back of his house. They are like having high-beam headlights that shine right into our sunroom, where my husband and I like to listen to music with the lights turned down. Those bright lights kill the vibe and really get on my nerves. I didn’t expect them to show me the value of my meditation practice, but they did. Here’s what happened.

First, I asked my neighbor if he would angle the lights downward or install shades on them. No luck. He likes his lights the way they are.

I get that there are much bigger problems in the world. I try to put these lights in perspective and convince myself that they aren’t a big deal. But I can’t help it. From dusk until bedtime, those lights annoy me. I go to bed with that irritation buzzing around in my head, and my thoughts keep me awake — what gives him the right to shine lights into my house? Why can’t he be nicer? Why do I have to live near this jerk?

One night, with these thoughts spiking my adrenaline, something amazing happened. I mentally took a step back to think about my thoughts.