The Stages
The seven stages are grouped into two phases:
- The first four stages form the first phase where the Yogi is liberated from the 'products of mental processes',(i.e.) results of his thoughts.
- The last three stages form the second phase in which the Yogi is liberated from the mind itself.
Stage 1:
"That which is to be known is known by me". At this stage the yogi realises that all true knowledge comes from within oneself, and the mind becomes satisfied that meditation will lead to all truth.
Stage 2:
At this stage the yogi recognises the causes of his sufferings, uses this knowledge to free himself from those causes and hence becomes free from pain.
Stage 3:
The yogi attains full discriminative knowledge of the state of samādhi, in which the Yogi is completely absorbed into The Self.
Stage 4:
The yogi no longer needs to carry out acts (religious duties) as he has attained the end of all acts through discrimination.
Stage 5:
At this stage the yogi becomes free of all waverings of the mind, (i.e.) The yogi obtains complete control over all mental processes.
Stage 6:
The mind of the yogi becomes free of the influences of external natural processes whenever he desires so.
Stage 7:
The Self of the yogi becomes identical with Purusha and the state of absolute freedom (kaivalya) is achieved.
Read more about this topic: Seven Stages (Yogi)
Famous quotes containing the word stages:
“Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead,
Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell
And the profit and loss.
A current under sea
Picked his bones in whispers. As he rose and fell
He passed the stages of his age and youth
Entering the whirlpool.”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“But parents can be understanding and accept the more difficult stages as necessary times of growth for the child. Parents can appreciate the fact that these phases are not easy for the child to live through either; rapid growth times are hard on a child. Perhaps it’s a small comfort to know that the harder-to-live-with stages do alternate with the calmer times,so parents can count on getting periodic breaks.”
—Saf Lerman (20th century)