Samadhi is the ultimate state of mental concentration, where the meditator and object unify.
In short: In Indian philosophy, samadhi represents the pinnacle of mental focus. It is the final stage of the eight-membered yoga, where the practitioner transcends the ego to achieve a blissful, ecstatic union with reality. This state is considered essential for liberation from the cycle of rebirth and material bondage.
Samadhi, derived from Sanskrit terms meaning total self-collectedness, is a foundational concept in both Hinduism and Buddhism. In the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga-sutras, it serves as the eighth and final limb of the path. The journey begins with ethical restraints and physical disciplines, such as asana and pranayama, before moving toward the internal mental work of dharana and dhyana. By the time a practitioner reaches samadhi, the distinction between the subject—the meditator—and the object of meditation dissolves into a singular, unified experience.
The mechanism of samadhi involves reversing the evolution of the self, stripping away the obscuring activities of the mind to return to a state of pure consciousness. While often described as a state of deep, one-pointed absorption, interpretations vary. Some traditions view it as an exclusive focus on a single object, while others, particularly in Buddhist sutras, describe it as a broad, stable field of awareness that remains steady and unmoving. This state provides the necessary clarity to observe the changing flow of experience without being scattered by external phenomena.
Why this matters lies in its role as a gateway to spiritual liberation, or moksha. By training the mind to reach this level of equanimity, the aspirant seeks to free the spirit from the bondage of matter and illusion. The practice gained significant traction in the West during the 20th century, notably after Paramahansa Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920. Today, it remains a central, albeit complex, objective for those seeking to understand the nature of consciousness and the potential for human mental transformation.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Samadhi | Definition, Hinduism, Buddhism, Eightfold Path, & Facts | Britannica
- Also: Samadhi
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