Once an individual following the path of the Thomasine church has achieved Illuminism, the next part of the journey to wisdom is to adopt a skeptical criticism. Thomasine Gnostics describe this as being slow to agree or disagree. Upon the decision to join the church and the path to enlightenment, the initiate learns various methods of detachment and contemplation. By employing these methods, the Thomasine Gnostic will be able to achieve the three fluid stages of enlightenment. These three fluid stages are Apatheia (detachment from the emotions), Hesychia (or stillness, the detachment from opinions and discursive intellect) and Reintegration (the union of the individual with the Light of Truth, this is the state of illumination). A hesychatic teacher guides the Thomasine Initiate to these stages. This teacher essentially prescribes a specific, individualized combination of chants, meditations and readings that will benefit the initiate on his or her spiritual path. Through Hesychasm, the Illuminist seeks to enlighten the mind; eventually achieving a higher level of consciousness.