Seven Stages of Mystic Ascension to Heaven According to Sant Mat
1. Praise or Bhakti (singing praises: banis, bhajans, kirtans, odes, psalms, hymns);
2. Prayer (Communion With God – Conversations With God);
3. Manas Japa (Simran, “Praying Without Ceasing”, Mentally Repeating/Chanting the Name or Names of God – Mantra – the First Stage of Meditation);
4. Manas Dhyana (Visualizing the Form of the Master* – the Second Stage of Meditation);
5. Dristi Sadhana (Seeing Inner Light at the Third Eye Center – the Third Stage of Meditation);
6. Nada Sadhana (Hearing the Inner Sounds – Surat Shabd Yoga – the Fourth Stage of Meditation);
7. Reaching Kaivalya: Oneness with Soundlessness, the Nameless One (ANAMI), the Formless Supreme Being, Supreme State, the Ocean of Love (beyond all forms, lights and sounds) – the Fifth Stage of Meditation – the Isht or Goal;
Couplets About Meditation Practice, By Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj
“Begin meditation with internally chanting or repeating the Guru-mantra-incantation (the charged words given by the Guru). And then try to visualize the radiant form or image of the Satguru in the still darkness of the inner sky (with eyes closed)*. Follow that with focusing your attention at the seat of the soul within, i.e. at the Third Eye or the Inner Eye or the Til Dwaar, by making the two streams of consciousness in your two eyes converge in a Point.”
“When the two currents of consciousness meet in a Point, Divine Light appears within. Then, practice Surat Shabd Yoga (Yoga of Divine Sound) i.e., try to shift your attention to listening to the Divine Sounds or myriads of melodies (Anahad Naad) ringing inside. Listening to the Divine Sound destroys all the agitations and fickleness of the mind.”
“Ascending beyond or transcending myriads of sounds, try to identify and tune in to the Quintessential Unstruck Melody, called "Saar Shabd” or “Anaahat Naad” which alone is capable of taking you and merging you into oneness with the Supreme Lord; this is the ultimate emancipation or liberation.“
*NOTE: "In Kali Yuga, no spiritual activity would be successfully performed except the contemplation of the Swarup (Form) of the Sat Guru, Simran of Naam (Repetition of the Holy Name) and Dhyan of Naam (contemplation of the Holy Name) [Meditation of the Inner Light and Sound].” (“Last Words of Soami Ji Maharaj”, Agra)
Sant Mat Spirituality: The Teachings of Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj: https://youtu.be/k7wI9JMnVSs