The 7 Meditation Stages

Years ago I was reading a book called Peace of Mind by Ian Gowler, the book basically dealt with a technique of meditation geared towards curing cancer. The most important thing I got out of the book was a clear explanation of the various stages of meditation you can expect to pass through as you approach liberation. Gowler has compiled the list of stages not just from his own experience but by taking a survey from many skilled meditators. This scientific approach appeals to me because it shows that these stages are not unique to any one person or magical in any way. If you continue to lay briks you will eventually end up with a wall, in the same way if you continue meditation you are bound to progress through each of these stages. I am personally finding this list of stages and the descriptions of body sensations to be quite accurate so this has confirmed it beyond a shadow of a doubt for me. I have copied the list below, have a look through, see where you are currently, then I will talk about where I am up to and how I got there.

Stage	Description	State of awareness-experience recorded	Body Sensations
1	RELAXATION PHASE. (This is not the Relaxation Response. It is a time for concentration on the method of physical relaxation – a transient stage leading from normal consciousness into a more relaxed mental state.)	Most people start by feeling self-conscious, particularly when first learning. They wonder if anything will happen, hope no one is looking. It is common to be conscious of mental activity (many thoughts usually) and to feel some frustration, especially if a beginner.	Feeling the body relaxing. Frequently you become aware of areas of physical tension and feel that tension relaxing.
2	PATCHY CONCENTRATION. The concentration is patchy - sometimes good, sometimes wandering off onto other things.	You are conscious of concentration on the meditation technique. There is a constant stream of thoughts that often you get caught up in. ( This is like watching a TV movie when you get so absorbed in the action you forget you are at home watching, you feel like you are in the movie.) Then regularly you come back to an awareness that you are thinking and want it to stop. If not careful, you can get frustrated. Highly subject to being distracted by diversions like inner thoughts or external sounds/activities.	Feel physically relaxed – often this is described as feeling heavy and warm, soft and loose. Actual degree of physical relaxation will increase with time and practice.
3	SUSTAINED CONCENTRATION. Single-minded concentration – now the attention is held on one subject. The thinking is still of an intellectual, analytical type.	The mind is becoming stiller and more focused and there are just occasional unrelated thoughts passing by that do not disturb this basically calm, relaxed state. The intruding thoughts may be current ones or memories and may sometimes produce an emotional response. Fairly regularly there is a conscious awareness of observing these thoughts now and seeing them in a more stable perspective. Often still feel aware of needing to use a technique to maintain this stage.	Body often feels like it is light and there may be sensations of floating. Very occasionally body movements like swaying occur. Usually described as a very pleasant sensation.
4	CONTEMPLATION Single minded concentration again, but now the thinking is of a more abstract, intuitive type.	Gaps between awareness of thoughts widen, and you experience moments of stillness. Usually you have lost awareness of using a technique. Sense the value of the stillness, find it very satisfying and want to enter into it more deeply – often find it elusive . Often gain minor insights and have creative ideas.	Often described as "funny feeling". The body seems light and as if it is expanding beyond its normal boundaries. Often strange at first, then described as extremely pleasant. The feeling in the head is often described as like having an anesthetic, or a state of reverie.
5	TRANSITION. A definite stage, bordering between stages 4 and 6. Most people are aware when they are in this stage, and it requires skill to pass through.	Feel like something is happening, like entering a new level of consciousness. Often described as being on the brink of something extraordinary – both empty and full at the same time. About 25% experience vivid fields of colour, 5% sounds, 5% visions. Often try to record the experience with their intellect and this mind activity prompts a return to level 4. Here people often consciously need to let go and launch into 6, which takes confidence.	Body feels light, expansive. Usually feels much bigger than normal – like blown up with a pump and is furry around the edges. Very pleasant once accustomed to it.
6	UNIFICATION	This is a new level of consciousness marked by an absence of everyday thought and a powerful sense of unity. There are several grades of experience: Poor recall. Not sure if asleep or not but it feels different to sleep. People who have this experience regularly usually not major changes in their health and wellbeing. Heightened alertness. A mystical experience that is difficult to describe to another. Comes with a sense of being an important part of something much bigger than yourself. Being conscious of old memories surfacing from the past. Being able to view them like a dispassionate observer and release them. After-effect is not to erase the memory but to take the intensity out of any pain that may have gone with it. (C can occur to a less effective extent in stage 3 especially; occasionally in stage 4)	No awareness of body or surrounding environment. An experience beyond the physical body, space and time – like death might be, and because this experience is recorded, it frequently removes all fear of death.
7	ILLUMINATION	Direct perception of Knowledge. New information comes to your awareness with the authority of a revelation. Produces a very assured, satisfied state of inner knowing. Invariably has a quality of a gift from a higher power, and again, produces a pervading sense of order and unity.	As for stage 6.

I have for the past several years been meditating and according to the list I would place myself as sitting most of the time in stage 2 and for brief periods of time moving into stage 3. On the 10 day Vipassana course that I recently took (see my post further down) I would say that I was regularly able to get to stage 3 and 4. Thoughts were still, mind was focused and the body was feeling quite strange. On the last day of the course I would have to say that I glimpsed for about 30 seconds stage 5 and as is written in the description felt that I was on the brink of something extrordinary. Since the course ended I am again back down to my usual stage 2/3 oscillation, I guess you need a lot of skill to be able to move higher amidst the din of everyday life. Stage 4/5 are amazing though and I long to glimpse at stage 6 and 7 in the pursuit of true and lasting happiness!

I thought I'd post this most valuable of lists so perhaps others could also start guaging their progress in a scientific manner, good luck in your meditation!