NOTE If you just landed on this article please read the first article in this series first:
“What can an ancient text called the Yoga Sutras do for you?”
This article includes a short introduction to the principles of Samadhi + journal prompts + practical and easy ways to incorporate the concept into your life.
SAMADHI – Enlightenment/surrender.
(Yoga Sutra III.3)
Samadhi is the eighth and final sutra in the Yoga Sutras.
Samadhi means bliss. The union of everything, you and the universe, and is something that can be hard to explain in words. It is something that you will have to try to experience on your own.
It is a state of consciousness where your consciousness dissolves into the greater whole.
There are different levels of Samadhi or different connections with the divine or the source, but when the word Samadhi is used on its own, it usually refers to a state of enlightenment, which is considered the highest form of Samadhi.
Samadhi is not a permanent state, and like the stages before it (Dharana and Dhyana), Samadhi is not something that is achieved by chance. It requires commitment, discipline, and effort, and you must be willing to train your mind, as well as your body to be able to go deep within yourself.
We are all spiritual beings or souls that have a body. We all have a spirit that is connected to the universe and each other. In the state of Samadhi, material possessions lose their meaning. This is where we realize and accept that we do not actually own anything, not even our bodies.
Everything physical dissolves over time and everything in your physical world will eventually disappear or you will lose it when you leave this physical world. But your spirit is eternal, and you just need to connect with it, this your inner knowing.
You do not have to move to an Ashram or sit in meditation on a mountaintop to bring Samadhi into your life. You can live your life as you do now and simply begin to recognize that we are all the same you, those you associate with, the animals, nature, and everyone around you. If you are a divine soul, an integrated part of the universe, then so is everybody else around you. The people you love and the people you don't love.
Samadhi is a deep feeling of togetherness; this feeling is often used to describe the concept of "enlightened". Right now, this might seem like an unattainable goal, beyond your reach. But you do not have to be enlightened, you just have to be willing to work on becoming enlightened.
Practicing yoga does not have an end goal, it is all about the process and the journey itself. Self-development and transformation are as much about being open to and accepting change. The old texts and interpretations describe Samadhi as dissolving the sense of "I" or “self” and a surrender to, and understanding of, the feeling that everything in the world is connected.
One way to achieve this feeling is by being so focused and absorbed in the present that you feel one with everything and you are filled with a sense of complete calm. It is a feeling so intense and fulfilling that it can be hard to describe, and it is definitely a bit of a trip.
By working with all the eight limbs of yoga, you can find ways to manage both yourself and the world around you, to move your body and control your breath. Once you can remove external stimuli, focus your mind, and surrender, you become open to the highest state of consciousness.
There are certain consequences of attaining Samadhi or becoming a realized yogi. Because once you see everything for what it is, your perception of everything will change and you will be filled with a strong sense of peace and calm. Being able to stay unaffected and simultaneously understand and know everything about yourself and the world all at once.
How to practice Samadhi.
The practice of yoga and any kind of physical exercise.
- Begin your practice by setting a clear intention to experience a deep state of focus and unity.
- Practice the poses with complete awareness, moving slowly and deliberately.
- Use your breath as an anchor throughout your practice.
- Synchronizing your movements with your breath.
- Employ the practice of Drishti, or focused gaze, in your practice to minimize external distractions.
- Incorporate meditation and Pranayama (breath control) practices into your yoga routine.
- Approach any physical exercise with the same level of awareness as your yoga practice.
- Engage in exercises that bring you into a 'flow state', where you are completely absorbed in the activity.
- Focus on the quality of each movement rather than the quantity.
- Dedicate time after your practice for stillness and meditation.
- Create an environment that supports focus and tranquility for your practice.
- Be open to the moments of a sense of togetherness that can arise in connection with yoga, and your life in general.
Applying the principles of Samadhi to your life.
- Cultivate a practice of being fully present in the moment and the activity you are engaged in.
- When communicating, practice listening, and giving your undivided attention to the speaker.
- Choose to focus on one task at a time with complete attention and dedication, instead of multitasking.
- Spend time in nature as often as you can, allowing yourself to feel a part of the natural world.
- Engage in creative activities that fully absorb your attention, whether it's painting, writing, knitting, or something else.
- Regularly practice yoga and meditation to cultivate concentration and mental discipline.
- Practice Metta or loving-kindness meditation as a way to foster a sense of interconnectedness and goodwill towards all beings.
- Cultivate gratitude shifting your focus from separation and lack to unity and abundance.
- Engage in selfless service or Karma Yoga, acting without attachment to the outcome.
- Dedicate time to studying spiritual texts and philosophies that explore the concept of unity and oneness.
- Be mindful of what you consume, whether it's food, media, or other materials.
- Find time for stillness, silence, and solitude.
Grab the Quick Guide to The Yoga Sutras 8 Limbs of Yoga
Important self-investigation.
When you learn to shift your mind’s focus from constantly wanting to judge, possess, and compare, and you are able to see that both you and everybody else are divine, then you have the opportunity to reach a greater sense of unity with the world around you.
Samadhi does not arise by chance or by itself. It requires commitment and a focused effort.
Achieving Dhyana and Samadhi is basically about creating situations where there is an opportunity for that to happen. If you find yourself in a sense of flow, regardless of what you are doing, just let go and be present in the moment and the feeling.
You can try practicing being present in the moment and performing your actions without holding any expectations of the outcome of your actions. The more you experience the sensation of Samadhi under the right (and easy) circumstances, the easier it will be for you to achieve Samadhi under more demanding circumstances.
Every moment can be an opportunity to practice Samadhi. To feel the connection, to try to be intensely present, and to feel the sense of calm, love, and flow that comes with it. According to the great yogis, the feeling of togetherness is something that we all carry within us and that we only need to reconnect with.
Contemplation and Journal prompts on the principles of Samadhi.
- What does Samadhi mean to you?
- How do you understand the concept within the context of your personal and spiritual journey?
- The last time you felt completely absorbed in an activity, moment, or experience. What were you doing, and what did it feel like?
- What draws you to the pursuit of Samadhi?
- What obstacles or challenges are you facing that can act like barriers to experiencing Samadhi. How might you address or overcome these obstacles?
- Which spiritual practices do you feel bring you closer to experiencing Samadhi?
- Where can you surrender and let go in your life?
- How can you cultivate moments or experiences of Samadhi in your everyday life?
- How can any insights or states of consciousness experienced in Samadhi be integrated into your daily life?
