The meditation practice is divided into three main stages:
Initial: At this stage the student thinks he/she is practicing, but actually he/she is preparing for practice. In this case the practice consists of collecting the necessary means and resources to begin to stay in the path.
Intermediate: At this stage, a students is fully equipped with all the resources he/she needs to practice. His/Hes time and energyare not involved in collecting means and learning methods, rather he spends his time in practice.
Last stage: achievement : At this stage, a student experiences the Truth. He/She may have only momentary glimpses of Truth, but at least is direct experience, which helps him/her understand the greatness of the Truth. Spiritual practice or Sadhana consists in trying to maintain that state. As his/her practice matures , he/she becomes and adept, then he/she needs no to try any more, for the experience of non-dual Reality is maintained effortlessly and spontaneously.
From A Call to Humanity by Swami Rama.
Namaste
Sunshine Yoga Academy