forms of samadhi - davidya.ca.pdf

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Forms of Samadhi

First, lets define what Samadhi means. It is an experience of yoga or union with the Absolute.

Oneness. Some definitions use it in terms of practice, but as that is a mental exercise, it cannot

describe connection with what is beyond mind. We could say practice leads to samadhi which in turn

leads to union. Patanjali defined different forms of samadhi or stages of union. He was an Indian Sage

some 2,000 years ago who compiled the concise Yoga Sutras. This short book forms much of the basis

of what we know today as meditation, including some misunderstandings of terms like dharana,

confusing focus with effort. Many translations are in terms of a specific teaching, layering on their own

philosophy. This makes finding unburdened interpretations challenging.

Patanjali names samadhi as one of the 8 limbs of yoga* (2.29). Not steps as is often confused, but done

together, limbs. As he notes in verse 2.45, samadhi is achieved through surrender or allowing.

In other posts here, I have reviewed the stages of awakening. There are a series of stages of union

with the transcendent, with the soul, with the cosmic, with the divine, and with everything. Typically,

samadhi is considered an experience that will lead to awakening or enlightenment. For awhile, I tried

to match samadhis with states of consciousnessbut samadhi is the experience, the state is the

result of such experiences. Dip the cloth in the dye until it is fast.

Some describe samadhis as stages of meditation. But while they are often first experienced in

meditation, they will carry forward into activity. That is what creates the ground for emerging states of

consciousness. The goal is not samadhi, it is beyond the idea of a goal. It is statelessness, beyond

practice or experience.

Notice how they are in progressive pairs. Some view the first pair as 2 classes into which the following

fit, but if you see the progression, youll know thats incorrect.

Verse Name Description

1.41 Samadhi the end of meditation is samadhi

1.17Samprajnatasamadhi

Vitarka or pure thought, positive andpeaceful, subject and object remain.

1.18Asamprajnatasamadhi

A = not, so this is without thought. Latentimpressions or seeds remain.

1.42Savitarkasamadhi

Knowledge, name and meaning are mixed.Still illusion.

1.43Nirvitarkasamadhi

Memory cleared, true nature seen. Withoutmeanings added. No Past

1.44Savicharasamadhi

As above but name and meaning with subtleobjects. (like mantra)
http://davidya.ca/2008/08/28/states-of-consciousness/http://davidya.ca/2008/04/10/layers-of-awakening/


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1.44Nirvicharasamadhi

Sound or sight alone. But objects and thusduality still present.1.47: restful alertness, luminosity of self1.48: filled with truth1.49: direct knowledge, without senses1.50: overshadows normal perception

1.51 Nirbijahsamadhi

Without seed or control. Latent impressions

burnt. Freedom from rebirth and death.3.8: Samyama** is external to this3.38: Siddhis** are obstacles to this

4.29Dharmameghasamadhi

Release even highest knowledge, rain ofvirtue, no burden or drama. Everything isconsciousness and that alone exists, free ofcontraction.

This leads to Kaivalya or enlightenment.

UPDATE: For clarity I have written a new article on the above here.

Others

Other traditions refer to other forms of samadhi. Some use the term more broadly.

Savikalpa samadhi is like Savitarka, some refer to it as when subject and object remain.

Nirvikalpa samadhi is changeless, without time or thought or breath. Pure absolute transcendence. But

as Ramana suggests, a temporary state after which ego returns. The mind witnesses the experience.

When that begins to be experienced in activity, it is the silent witness.

And so on.

Samyama

In the third book he speaks of **Samyama: intention (Dharana), meditation/openness (Dyana) and

transcendent or samadhi together. A focused thought within expanded awareness, combining 3 of the

8 limbs*. He then defines specific intentions (siddhis or powers) and their result. In that context

samadhi comes up again.

3.9NirodhaParinama

Stillness of the mind

3.11SamadhiParinama

Sustained focused attention, withoutdistraction

3.12EkagrataParinama

Refinement of above, object flows continuouslyin attention.3.13 Direct knowing, all time.

These would thus be stages of Samyama.
http://davidya.ca/2012/10/05/the-samadhis-of-patanjali/


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*The 8 limbs of yoga are Yama (truthfulness, etc.), Niyama (study, devotion, etc.), Asana (Postures),

Pranayama (breath regulation), Pratyahara (inner attention), Dharana (effortless focus), Dyana

(continuous attention or meditation), and Samadhi.

Im certainly no expert but this is what is apparent to me now. Davidya

[Update: see followup in comments]

forms of samadhi - davidya.ca.pdf

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