Though we understand Samadhi as a form of leaving the mortal body and also call the resting places of great souls as their Samadhi, the term has many other connotations. While many understand Samadhi to be the destroyer of death and the achievement of supreme bliss, it is also closely associated with the discipline of Yoga. In one sense Samadhi is actually the ultimate aim of the practice. There are various types and stages of Samadhi as understood by yogic traditions. Today we look at what Samadhi means to yoga practitioners and how you can work towards achieving this state.
What is Samadhi?
Basically, Samadhi refers to a state of meditative consciousness; what some would call ‘trance’. In the Samadhi state, the mind becomes still and all aware; it is able to concentrate completely and acutely within the present moment. Samadhi is the state of ultimate harmony when the mind is within your control and the ‘praan’ or the vital force is in perfect balance. It is also the route to inner peace and wisdom; the feeling of pure joy (the ecstatic state) that we all seek.
Laying the foundation
Developing the ability to concentrate and meditate effectively can be the first step. When combined with other tenets of a healthy life such as a good and effective exercise routine, a balanced and nutritious diet (aahaar), proper recreation and relaxation (vihaar) as well as invigorating and restful sleep, this forms a good basis for trying to achieve Samadhi. On the other hand, if you have poor health, overeat or are greedy about food, are overworked and stressed; all these could all be stumbling blocks. When you have a healthy equilibrium in your life you are best able to work towards Samadhi.
Types of Samadhi
According to the Patanjali school of yoga as well as other wellness disciplines such as the Art of Living, there are four types of Samadhi: Vitarkanugama Samadhi refers to the state of calm and stillness. Vicharanugama Samadhi is that state of equanimity where you may be aware of your thoughts and still have ability to not let them disturb you. Anandnugama Samadhi is the ecstatic or joyous state where you transcend all your worldly problems. Asmitânugama Samadhi is the ultimate state of deep meditation where you are conscious only of being.
How to work towards Samadhi
It goes without saying; that achieving Samadhi is very difficult. It is something that highly evolved souls achieve after years of dedicated practice. You and I maybe rather ‘tuchch’ to think about achieving these lofty goals and yet there is no reason not to try and work towards this state of ultimate equilibrium, of joy and oneness with the Universe.
The first step is effective ‘dhyaan’ or meditation where you tune out all distractions and concentrate all your energies on one focal point and then work towards being able to do this for longer durations. Cutting out the distraction of the clutter and the chatter is super difficult to begin with, but it does get easier over time as you train your mind to be stronger and more focused. Your inner awareness needs to coalesce into a single unbroken strand or a stream where at first you use the support of an object to concentrate upon and later are able to do the same without such support. As you gain greater mastery over your conscious thought, you go beyond the awareness of yourself and the process of meditation. As the intensity and the depth of your meditative state deepens, you come closer and closer to the state of Samadhi. Even if actually achieving Samadhi appears a distant goal, working towards it can make you feel more relaxed, joyful and could even help to improve your memory.