Exploring the Different Stages of Meditation

Explore 9 stages of meditation from beginner to advanced level with clear instructions for successful practice & enjoy its full potential.

Exploring the Different Stages of Meditation

Meditation is a practice that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to help people find inner peace and clarity. It is a practice that can be done in many different ways, and it can be tailored to fit the individual's needs. There are nine stages of meditation through which a meditator usually progresses, more or less in order, although it is quite possible that sometimes a meditator will return to an earlier stage. The first stage of meditation is to encourage or cultivate an environment conducive to letting go of distractions and embarking on the journey.

This can be done by focusing on the breath, the flame of a candle, a repeated word (song or mantra), physical sensations, or other focal points. By focusing on one thing, it's easier to let go of distractions and embrace the present moment. It is comfortable for the mind to have an anchor, such as breathing, to return to. The second stage shifts from wandering your mind to directly dealing with the part of the equation that is forgotten.

This involves developing awareness of the present moment and learning to let go, moment by moment, if mental activity is attractive or objectionable. To do this, one must focus on noticing the gap between two successive thoughts. Attending this silent pause attentively, even if it is painstaking, promotes awareness. The third stage is called Jhana and involves learning to base your conscious awareness on just one thing.

This can be done by focusing on your breath or any other meditation object. By doing this, it's easier to let go of distractions and embrace the present moment. The fourth stage is known as the guardian stage and involves being aware of all breathing at all times and not letting other things get in the way of this smooth and continuous awareness. This helps us become more familiar with our mental patterns and our psychological composition.

The fifth stage is when we return from the meditation stages to the home. This involves returning consciousness to the body and mind to enter the final stage of practice. At this point, we can really let go of old opinions and obsolete habits and transform the way we think and act. The sixth stage is when we realize that we can afford to be genuine and honest when it comes to looking at ourselves, at our perception of the world and, most importantly, at our impact on others.

This brings joy and a powerful motivation to continue practicing. The seventh stage is when we have been practicing meditation for some time and our mind calms down with little effort; distractions have lost much of their power over us. This represents overcoming certain psychological obstacles along the way. The eighth stage is when we become aware of all the spaces or gaps between inhalation and exhalation, between one thought and the next, between one mood and another. Awareness of gaps puts us in tune with impermanence and change. The ninth stage is when we have enjoyed the full potential of a regular meditation practice. This includes feelings of happiness, peace, and calm. By following these steps in order, you can experience all these stages of meditation for yourself and reap all its benefits.

Clear and progressive instructions are essential for successful practice so you can enjoy its full potential.