India, May 13 -- Meditation is not about escaping your thoughts or disconnecting from life. It is about coming back to yourself. But if your mind constantly feels busy, distracted, or restless, sitting quietly can feel difficult at first.

Ancient Indian texts describe meditation as a gradual journey inward. Instead of forcing silence, they guide you step by step toward inner stillness and awareness.

Here are the four stages of meditation explained in a simple way.

The first step in meditation is gently pulling your attention away from the outside world. This stage is called Pratyahara, which means withdrawing the senses.

You begin by sitting quietly, closing your eyes, and allowing your senses to rest. Instead of focusing on sounds, s...