Four stages in Yoga

      To avoid pain or misery, we have to lead our life according to Wisdom. For this, we need an integrated practice, mental and physical. This is Yoga. Yoga is a psychic practice consisting of four stages. The first stage is withdrawal of the mind from outward activities. This is termed Pratyahara. The next stage is focussing attention on one thing at will. This is concentration of Dharana. The third stage is fixing the mind on the life-force. This is Meditation. The fourth is Samadhi-becoming one with the Supreme Force, which is governing the entire Universal system. These four practices comprising Yoga go to streamline the mind.

- Vethathiri Maharishi