Whenever a student is asked what they are doing, they reply that they are concentrating on their studies.  But the real meaning of concentration is fixing one’s mind on a particular object. Contemplation is the next step. The final step is meditation. Thus, concentration, contemplation, and meditation are the three steps in spiritual practice. Meditation is not simply silent sitting, and closing one’s eyes. Maintaining an unwavering and steady mind is meditation. People think concentration is a great exercise, but it is the first step in spiritual practice, the others being contemplation and meditation. Concentration is like the primary school education. Contemplation is the high school education and meditation is the college level education. Only after one reaches the college level is one eligible to acquire a degree. All our ancient sages reached up to this stage and meditated upon Divinity. When one reaches the stage of meditation, there is no scope for any wavering and one’s faith in Divinity becomes steady. You have to attain that stage. You may study a number of books and pass your examination in school or college, but only one who reaches the meditation stage passes the test prescribed by God. – Divine Discourse, Feb 21, 2009