Agnos, I never thought about the Holy Spirit when I left Catholicism at age 18 until I returned 40 years later which was 3 years ago. God softened me up with the study of psychology and Buddhist philosophy enough over time so that my hatred of Christianity would not dominate my thoughts and actions when confronted with their presence.
Then the Holy Spirit hit me so hard I could see and feel all the shame I had accumulated over my life through public and private thoughts and actions that had harmed others due to my selfish and self-serving motivation to seek pleasure instead of truth.
Humility is the way the Holy Spirit comes to us. When our defenses are weakened and we become aware of our meaningless and selfish way of living, the Holy Spirit is there to fill the void that is created in our pain with human relationships. When we are able to take a risk and soften our hearts to ourselves and others that is when the Holy Spirit becomes most palpable and will fill us with the passion to know Truth. This is what awakens me every morning; the passion to know the Love of God and pray that everyone opens to His Love.
When I look into another person’s eyes I can tell whether or not that person is guided by the Holy Spirit. The first sign is humility. When I see a message written I can tell if it is with the Holy Spirit if it is written with humility.
I am finished for now because I could go on infinitum.