Four Stages of Concentration: From Attention to Contemplation

In general, this is quite adherent to the scenario that presents itself when performing these exercises. We notice four stages in concentration with four different results on consciousness: Attention, Concentration, Meditation, Contemplation. ATTENTION
When we follow the development of a single idea, excluding all others, then we have PERFECT ATTENTION. When we turn our gaze and mind away from one thing or idea, and focus them on some other thing or idea, then it is said that attention has passed from one object, scene, symbol or idea to elsewhere. An example: we see an object that interests us, and we fix our gaze on this object to focus it, without any distraction. Or we think of a friend and try to see him with the mind's eye, that is, we visualize him excluding any other thought from the mind. This is attention, which ceases as soon as it is attracted by another idea or thing, to fix itself in the new idea or thing. CONCENTRATION
Prolonged and perfect attention on an image or object, to the exclusion of everything else, is defined as "concentration". Visual and mental concentration can also be of an abstract type, when ONE PASSES FROM THE SYMBOL TO ITS PURE IDEA. For example, concentrating on a rose understood as a flower, and immediately passing to the pure idea of sacrifice and absolute love. MEDITATION
Prolonged concentration becomes "meditation". In meditation one observes the image point by point, and makes all the considerations to understand its ideal content. In meditation one reasons and has a perception of dualism between the meditator and what is meditated. Meditation consists in maintaining a constant flow of conscious thought always directed toward a single object. In such an interior state all worldly things are excluded from our mind to saturate it with the chosen idea: the awakening of the soul to spirituality, Illumination, God, Integral Gnosis, the seven gifts. CONTEMPLATION
From meditation one passes to contemplation, in which the absorption of the archetype of the symbol with respect to the meditator's consciousness is complete, because the function of meditation, once exhausted, is replaced by the perfect union or identification between the I and the figure and the pure idea that is of it. Contemplation is the union of love between the contemplator and the archetype of the contemplated symbol, therefore it begins in the head and concludes in the heart. This way of concluding deep meditation, which we have defined as "contemplation of the symbol," can also be called prayer, because in a certain way it is a mental prayer or oration that leads from the symbol to its archetype and from this to the Great Architect of the Universe. EXAMPLE OF MEDITATION ON THE SYMBOL OF THE SWORD
In a quiet place and room, prepare to meditate on the sword. Sit in front of a white wall, on a chair or oriental-style on a cushion, if you are used to it. It is important to have your back straight as it helps in concentration and proper breathing, which is a fundamental key. In front of you place a real double-edged sword with a cross handle, or a drawing of it. One could theoretically proceed directly with visualization with closed eyes, but in reality this conscious visualization is normally not so good, so it's better to help yourself. Breathing
For breathing, regulate yourself as mentioned above. Breathing has great influence in obtaining states of consciousness different from the ordinary state. If one breathes slowly this relaxes and induces a state of calm, and very slowly one can descend into the depths of consciousness to states that precede rational thought and even thought itself. Meditation should last from 15 to 20 minutes per day, unless you can dedicate more time later. Normally at the beginning it takes about 45 minutes to achieve the right state of concentration. At the beginning meditate with semi-open eyes and in dim light, helping yourself with the repetition of mental words on the archetypal or spiritual qualities of the sword. Do not forget to begin each meditation on symbols after having prayed to the Most High to facilitate the good outcome of the meditation itself, and do not neglect to thank Him at the end of the work: few words, but strong. Meditation with the help of the authentic object or its drawn or painted figure must then be continued by visualization with closed eyes, that is, with the detailed and clear reconstruction of the symbol itself. Also take care to keep the spine and neck straight. Therefore, the visualization of the symbol and its interiorization is important, that is, passing from an exterior vision to an interiorization. In meditating one evokes the sword as a symbol and its meanings that are interiorized. You will therefore say to yourselves that the steel of this well-tempered blade is the initiatic will, faith, inner fire; it is the power of the Awakened and of the Cherubim, guardian of the Tree of Life in Eden. The two edges of the blade are the certainty of always cutting, when appropriate, with word and action, evil from whatever side it comes. The handle has the strength of the cross to remind the Initiate of the four elements and the dominion he must exercise over them; it is the vertical Initiation that comes from Above and the horizontal one that comes from Man and from the Brothers who support him; it is the crucifixion of instincts and the sacrifice of the Cosmic Hero on Golgotha, according to the Mystery of the Holy Grail. The sword is the weapon that the Builders of the Temple wield with the left hand, to use with the right what serves for the work: trowel, mallet. The sword is the weapon of the Knight "without fear and with pure heart," defender of the weak and oppressed. It represents the invincible fighter against the enemies of the "Great Architect of the Universe" and of the Brothers persecuted by the dark forces of heaven and earth, sometimes hidden in the unconscious; it is the initiatic will par excellence, which can become an instrument of consecration or lightning. It leads to the experience of the Bodhisattva, the Helper and Liberator.