There are two main steps to advance the path of Meditation.

1. Attainment of Anadimukta (Prapti) and
2. Status of Anadimukta(Sthiti)

Attainment

What is called attainment?

Attainment refers to gaining or achieving. 

In the journey of meditation, the first step is to recognize the supreme form, like Bhagwan Swaminarayan, on whom we will meditate, understanding their true nature. Similarly, we must discern the true form of the soul that will meditate. When we accurately perceive and firmly believe in both these forms as they truly are, it signifies the attainment of Anadimukta.

Why attainment of Anadimukta is necessary?

The form of Lord Swaminarayan is the most divine of all the divine entity and the grandest of all the grand entity and He is eternal and supreme God. Until the transcendence and glory of his form is grasped realistically, I would not be convinced that for me Lord Swaminarayan is the only form worthy of upasana. Besides, until only one form worthy of upasana is determined, my devotion only toward Lord Swaminarayan would not be like the chaste wife. Consequently, the soul cannot attain salvation. Who has conviction of the form of Lord Swaminarayan in this way and has supreme nishtha of Him only He is thereby related to the vyatirek form (murti) of Lord Swaminarayan. After relation with vyatirek form of the God, the soul is released from the cycle of birth and death and he would dwell in Murti of Lord Swaminarayan instead of body till then, which is called attainment for Anadimukta.   

The fundamental characteristic of the soul is to enjoy the bliss of the form of super soul (parmatma) but the soul, by ignorance wrongly believed oneness with the body. So, the soul has believed in himself as the body. However, fundamental characteristic of the soul is to enjoy the bliss of God. But the Lord Swaminarayan is eternal with definite form and the most divine of all the divine entities, whereas the soul believes himself to be body. since many births. As such, the soul is formless, mayik and heterogenous. So, he is not worthy of enjoyment of bliss. Therefore, one must discern the realistic form of the soul with affirmation. The soul is absolutely separate and distinct from the body made of five basic elements, which are perishable, distressful, mayik and transient. Anadimukta-Satpurush initiate this soul with vows and thereby release the soul from the bondage of kal, karm, maya etc. and transform the formless soul into definite shape of purushottamroop and elevate the soul to the position of Anadimukta which is called attainment of Anadimukta. Only after attainment of this position, he would be worthy of advancement on the path of status of Anadimukta by pratilom meditation. 

What is called the status of Anadimukta?

After discernment of the form of Lord Swaminarayan as it is, realistically, means conviction of nishtha and after affirmation of the form of soul as purushottamroop, Anadimukta realistically, we should not believe that task is accomplished in all respect. After discernment of both these forms and believing oneself (soul) to be purushottamroop Anadimukta. One should meditate in pratilom mode on Lord Swaminarayan (Purushottam) so as to become one with His form so much so intimately upto the level of fluff in fluff and thereby attain stability in the bliss of Murti that is called status of Anadimukta (sthiti).

Why accomplish the status of Anadimukta?

One has to become similar to the object of pleasure, then only one can avail its pleasure. We find that insects of turmeric are as yellow as turmeric and insects of chilly are as red as chilly and insects of wood are of the color of wood. Then only the insects can avail the pleasure. Similarly, if the soul is to avail the bliss of super soul Lord Swaminarayan, the soul has to transform into the form identical to the Murti of Lord Swaminarayan (purushottamroop). The only means for this transformation is pratilom meditation. By means of pratilom meditation, formless soul transform into definite shape, identital to Purushottam, called purushottamroop and become one with the form of Purushottam upto the minute level of fluff in fluff and enjoy the bliss of each and every fluff of Murti in rasbas mode. Thus, he becomes stable in the bliss, which is called status of Anadimukta. 

After accomplishment of the status of Anadimukta, the mukta dwell in the Murti of Lord Swaminarayan, Purushottam and His appearance remains as of Purushottam. Two entities, Maharaj and mukta are separated as master and servitor. However, the appearance is the same. That is called Doctrine of vishishtadwait. Such accomplished mukta are constantly enjoying the bliss of Murti dwelling in Murti. They always experience that only Maharaj is here in pratilom position.

Why is it compulsory to elevate to the status of Anadimukta after attainment of Anadimukta?

     After associating with karan satsang, one must understand the difference between attainment (prapti) and status(sthiti) of Anadimukta. If we could not grasp the realistic difference between these two words, we would be very deficient.

 Let us understand these words by practical examples.

Suppose we are very much hungry, and we get the food dish with sweets, farsan and many food items of our choice, that is called attainment (prapti). When we eat the food items to our satisfaction and give a belch out of satisfaction, that is called status (sthiti) accomplished.

- We want to go to the USA and a visa is granted to us, that is attainment. When we book a ticket and sit in an airplane, we reach the USA airport, that is called accomplishment of status (sthiti).

- Getting admission in college is attainment, whereas after completing our degree, we get employment and get salary that is accomplishment (sthiti).

Thus, attainment is a beginning whereas accomplishment (sthiti) is the end, completion. When we entered in karan satsang, we have realistic discernment of the form of Maharaj, we solidified our nistha. Moreover, Satpurush gave us vows and initiated us as Anadimukta, that is attainment. But we can’t avail ourselves of the bliss of Murti yet, inner enemies and vices are causing troubles, consciousness of being body is impeding. This is because we have not accomplished the ultimate status. As such, it is quintessential to accomplish the ultimate status (sthiti).

Why is it compulsory to accomplish the ultimate status after attainment (prapti)? The answer is very simple, that after getting dish of food items, one must eat it to serve the purpose. Why is marriage compulsory after engagement? Same is the question that why the accomplishment of status compulsory after attainment is. If we want to satisfy our hunger, we must eat the meal. Besides, the meal is prepared only for the purpose of eating it. Similarly, if we want to enjoy the bliss of Murti, accomplishment of ultimate status is compulsory. Even though we are pleased with attainment, for experience of bliss, it is compulsory to elevate to the ultimate status. Moreover, we have acquired realistic knowledge of soul and super soul (Parmatma) only for availment of the bliss of Murti and accomplishment of the ultimate status.

Besides, there are many hurdles in between attainment to accomplishment, just like after obtaining dish of meal, if we don’t eat it, there are possibilities of facing many hurdles. Food dishes may overturn, insects may fall into it, it may spoil due to much delay, anyone else eat it. Similarly, if we do not proceed further after attainment, then due to consciousness of being body, egotism and feeling of my and mine and inner enemies, there are possibilities of many hurdles coming in the way and salvation is missed and communion we have got may go off. It is therefore said by Bapashree in His vato (discourse), ‘Don’t consider yourself unfulfilled and don’t sit idle considering yourself fulfilled.’

Not to consider oneself unfulfilled means, our attainment is not incomplete. In this regard we are fulfilled. We have been surely transformed into Anadimukta cent percent. We have already got salvation. We have not to take next birth. However, we should not sit idle on this count means we should persevere for accomplishment of the status of Anadimukta.

Steps of Journey of Meditation

1. Acquire knowledge
2. Knowledge of the form of the God:

Before starting meditation, practitioner of meditation should acquire the knowledge of the goal form, Lord Swaminarayan, as He is supreme God of all the Gods, source (incarnator) of all the incarnations of God, the cause of all causes, only one eternal God.

One should believe one’s true self means a soul different and separate from one’s body made of five basic elements and in all fifty-seven. After such separation from body, one should not perceive any characteristics or vices of body in the soul. The soul is immutable immortal, luminous and fundamental characteristic of the soul is only to avail the bliss of the super soul (Parmatma).

After acquiring knowledge, solidify it by putting it into practice.

Practitioner of meditation should dedicate himself only to the goal form, Lord Swaminarayan, just like chaste wife dedicated solely to her husband. Dedication like chaste wife means, not to harbor dedication, devotion or upasana of any other deities - Gods other than one and only one Lord Swaminarayan He should have nishtha only of Lord Swaminarayan. 

After acquiring the knowledge of the form of the God and one’s true self, soul, wisdom of sankhya should be solidified. Sankhya means nothing is absolute truth except God. Nothing is perpetual, blissful. After grasping the knowledge of the bliss of the form of the God, all worldly pleasure, happiness, enjoyment of sensual pleasure, any person and object are regarded as trifle perishable and worthless. 

If we look through the eyes of the wisdom of sankhya. We feel equanimity toward good and bad and we are unable to develop love and affection for anyone or anything except Murti.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan bestowed grace upon the soul, detached from the body, by granting it association with a Satpurush. That Satpurush guided the soul to realize its true form as an Anadi Mukta. Now, the soul no longer identifies with the body, its faults, nature, relationships, name, form, or any worldly aspects. It now understands, "I am not the body; I am the Anadi Mukta." This realization strengthens its self-identity.

3. Conduct:
4. Five vows of ascetic Sants :
   1. Vow of non-lust, (2) Vow of non-greed, (3) Vow of humility, (4) Vow of detachment, (5) Vow of non-gourmandize.

Five vows of householders:

1. Vow of non-consumption of liquor, (2) Vow of not eating non vegetarian food, (3) vow of not committing theft, (4) Vow of observance of celibacy (non-adultery), (5) Do not get proselytized or do not proselytize.
2. Connection with God (Yog):

After acquiring the wisdom of sankhya and thereby considering everything except the form of God as false, one should connect with the form of the God means, one should connect oneself with Murti by engaging oneself in the means of devotion such as listening to discourse, singing devotional songs etc.

"Brahmacharya," or celibacy, derives from "Brahma," signifying God, and "charya," meaning to walk or wander. It entails wandering in the form of God. Celibacy is essential for those seeking the divine bliss of God. It requires both men and women to transcend bodily pleasures and desires entirely. The most effective remedy lies in mastering control over one's sight and touch senses.

A mumukshu is one who has the knowledge of God’s true form as well as, their self’s true form. They also have the knowledge on how to progress forward on the path of meditation. However, mumukshus are not satisfied in acquiring only knowledge. Rather, true mumukshus remain forever alert and eager to progress forward on the path of attaining rajipo and sthiti. Only one such individuals can attain God’s ultimate bliss. 

After attainment of position of Anadimukta, the aspirant should do all his routine activities such as eating, drinking, walking, taking bath etc. not as a body but with such conception as Maharaj has made me Anadimukta and kept me in His Murti, so as to elevate to the status of Anadimukta. Someone would call me pappa, some would call me uncle, someone call son… 

However, they are calling to my body; I am separate from it. I am surely Anadimukta. I am certainly dwelling in Murti. Only Maharaj is there; with this conception latak (technic) one should do all activities dwelling in Murti.

4. Meditation
   1. Tratak : One should choose the Murti by whose darshan one experience much bliss and then with eyes open one should look at the sang Murti with fixed gaze without blinking of an eye.
   2. Pratilom : After tratak, one should close one’s eyes and contemplate on the same Murti one has had darshan till then in the position/direction as one is sitting. Considering one’s soul separate from body with the conception that one’s soul has become purushottamroop dwelling in Murti. Thus, after solidifying such conception that I am certainly in Murti gaze at the Murti contemplate on that Murti dwelling in Murti is called pratilom Meditation.
   3. Practice: We should practice repetitively to visualize the Murti. We have solidified in pratilom mode, after tratak. We should gaze at the Murti with intense affection and contemplate on Murti repetitively and study Murti so much by practice that as soon as we close our eyes, we can visualize the entire Murti at a time. In the same way. We should meditate not only for half an hour but should practice as much as possible to connect with Murti by pratilom meditation.
   4. Grace: When the Murti is solidified by practice of tratak, pratilom meditation, Maharaj and Motapurush bestow grace in our meditation and thereby we can have dazzling luminous darshan of Murti by that grace and we are absolutely convinced that my soul has been transformed into purushottamroop and I am dwelling surely in Murti. This is called the realization of Murti.

E. Accomplishment of status of Anadimukta :

1. Knowledge acquired by experience (Enlightenment): 

By means of meditation and grace of Maharaj and Motapurush, we accomplish realization of Murti (God) and thereafter we experience bliss of Murti. After having access to the bliss of Murti in parbhav (divine another world), Anadimukta experiences an ever newer and fresher bliss of Murti. Billions of years pass by enjoying the bliss of that Murti.

2. Accomplishment of status (Sthiti):

While enjoying the newer and fresher bliss of Murti, in the course of time, Anadimukta also forgets consciousness that I am enjoying the bliss of Murti, and I am Anadimukta. After Maharaj has kept in the Murti graciously, the appearance is only of Maharaj… Not that now I am Anadimukta. Only Maharaj is here… Only Maharaj is here, when he feels like this, then he has accomplished the status of Anadimukta and thereby experience the bliss of each and every fluff of Murti and elevate to the perpetual and ultimate status of mukta. When one accomplishes this status, Maharaj keeps him in His Murti and in his place put His own resolve and give darshan to people by means of that resolve.