Meditation is a technique, or a process of progressive development. Listed below are the 5 stages as one develops and deepens their practice.
1. Concentration
This is the act of concentrating the mind, learning to focus it and so use it.
2. Meditation
The prolonged focussing of the attention in any direction and the steady holding of the mind on a desired idea. Meditation could be considered as prolonged concentration.
3. Contemplation
An activity of the soul, detached from the mind, which is held in a state of quiescence.
4. Illumination
This is the result of the three preceding processes, and involves carrying the knowledge achieved down into the brain consciousness.
5. Inspiration
The result of illumination, as it demonstrates in the life of service.
Gaining control of our mental processes
When followed, these 5 stages lead to union with the soul and direct knowledge of our essential self. For the majority of us who take up meditation, the stage which should engross our attention for a long time— practically to the exclusion of the others— is concentration. Gaining control of our mental processes, stilling the mind, being the master of our mind and not the other way around, should be our first objective.
