It can be achieved through meditation and the first step in the process is to select an object to concentrate on, with the help of your eyes, nose, ears, mouth and touch, as follows:

?Eyes ? fix your gaze upon the selected object,

?Mouth - recite a mantra or sloka aloud,

?Ears ? listen to the mantra, as you say it, or put on an audiotape of the mantra.

?Furthermore, empty the mind of all thoughts, and do not think of anything else, only concentrate on the selected object as part of the mediation process.

You can select any object to concentrate upon, the only requirement being that it must impart tranquillity and serenity to the mind. For instance, you may select a picture of a favourite deity and while concentrating on it, recite or listen to a mantra dedicated to that particular deity. However, to achieve success, one must ensure that the mind is only filled with thoughts of the deity and nothing else.

Mediation can be done anywhere from 5-10 minutes or more, but when other thoughts filter through, then it is time to end the session. Although, meditation is a fundamental stage, a lot of practice is required before one can gain absolute control over one's mind.

There are a number of yoga books on meditation and spirituality, audiotapes and online books, as well that can give more insight on how to meditate, including the benefits derived from practicing it on a daily basis. Equip yourself with some necessary yoga accessories, such as, a yoga mat, yoga block or yoga strap for a fulfilling experience. With a wide variety of yoga accessories to choose from online, go ahead and make a fine selection from a large range of yoga mats, yoga blocks and yoga straps. Yoga is a powerful tool in the hands of those who master this ancient exercise art form from India!