Ashtanga Yoga - the 8 fold path

Part 8 - Samadhi

In the state of Samadhi there is the awareness of all inner and outer events and elements simultaneously; in Samadhi there is total knowledge. Samadhi is the sublime state of balance that brings peace, power and enlightenment and is the 8th component of the 8th fold path of Ashtanga Yoga.

Reaching Samadhi is the ultimate goal of yoga. Samadhi means to join Atman with Paratman. Samadhi is self-realisation which brings us total fulfilment, after reaching the state of Samadhi there is nothing more to gain and nothing more to lose. We can live on earth with a lower consciousness or with the higher consciousness. If you are able to live on a higher plane of consciousness you will gain the maximum from each experience without creating a chain of actions and reactions. In order to reach Samadhi you have to have the right state of mind. There are four factors that are very important to reach this state of mind: contentment, discrimination between the real and the unreal, detachment and a burning desire for liberation.

Samadhi is not a trance or an unconscious state as some tend to believe. On the contrary it means reaching a very deep level of consciousness in which even the sense of individuality no longer exists. Samadhi is described as a state in which the yogi arrives at the pointless point of consciousness beyond which there is no consciousness. It is a state of higher awareness where the mental bodies do not function. Samadhi begins where one is able to withdraw the physical as well as the pranic sense of awareness while remaining mentally alert (Pratyahara).
The boundary line of our outer sense world (also called maya) ends where the pure mental awareness of Samadhi begins.

In the state of Samadhi there is the awareness of all inner and outer events and elements simultaneously; in Samadhi there is total knowledge. Samadhi is the sublime state of balance that brings peace, power and enlightenment. There are different paths to travel in order to reach Samadhi. There are some amongst us who carefully mapped their journey step by step so that others have the possibility to follow the same path and realize the goal.

Patanjali describes his path in the Yoga Sutra’s and his system is know as Ashtanga Yoga which consist of eight stages:

1. yamas
2. niyamas
3. asanas
4. pranayama
5. pratyahara
6. dharana
7. dhyana
8. Samadhi

The first 5 stages up to Pratyahara gradually remove the external distractions and help us prepare for the next 3 steps. The practice of the last 3 steps of meditation teaches us to eliminate disturbing thoughts and to balance our mind. The meditation techniques help us increase and intensify the inner awareness.

Once Samadhi is reached you can still live your practical life, things remain the same, but the background changes as your vision has been purified. People around you will be able to overcome their suffering and achieve happiness thanks to your personality, presence and advice. Samadhi is an immortal state of nectar; it is a necessity of our life.

PranaYoga - Yoga & Relaxation	Last Update: 6-11-2007