Preparatory stage

Preparatory stage (Wyl. nyer bsdogs) - a state of advanced shamatha meditation, characterized by mental and physical pliancy, which serves as the basis for the first dhyana and beyond. It is also known as the 'capable stage' (Wyl. mi lcogs med).

Khenpo Pema Vajra says:

"This is genuine shamatha, but if you still do not have the bliss of physical and mental pliancy, you have not yet reached the actual preparatory stage for the dhyana meditations. Once pliancy is attained, there is a foundation for developing the wisdom of vipashyana. This is the preparatory stage which is known as ‘the capable stage.’"