Samadhi
In Sanatana Dharma. Samadhi is the "highest illumination," [1] a "superconscious state."[2]
Related Terms
Sanatana Dharma > Achara, Ashramas, Brahman, Brahmarishi, Dharma, GodHead, Gunas, Illusory Self, Moksha, Neo-Hinduism, Paramatman, Purushaarthas, Rishis, Salvation, Samadhi, Sanskrit Literature, Saptarishis, Satya Yuga, Srutis, The Imperishable, Varnas, Vichara
Syncretic Terms
Notes
"We have, then, two planes in which the human mind is working. First is the conscious plane; that is to say that sort of work which is always accompanied with the feeling of egoism. That part of mind-work which is unaccompanied with feeling of egoism is unconscious work, and that part which is accompanied with the feeling of egoism is conscious work. In the lower animals this unconscious work is called instinct. In higher animals, and in the highest of animals, man, the second part, that which is accompanied with the feeling of egoism, prevails, and is called conscious work. But it does not end here. There is a still higher plane upon which the mind can work. It can go beyond consciousness. Just as unconscious work is beneath consciousness, so there is another work which is above consciousness, and which, also, is not accompanied with the feeling of egoism. The feeling of egoism is only on the middle plane. When the mind is above or below that line there is no feeling of “I,” and yet the mind works. When the mind goes beyond this line of self-consciousness it is called Samadhi, or super-consciousness. It is above consciousness" [3]
Samadhi -> a superconscious state [4]
The first chapter of Pantajalis Yoga Sutras is samadhipada. Translated, means "Foundations of Union/Conclusion/Completion."
Swami Brahamananda suggests there are three levels of Samadhi
- Savikalpa Samadhi - superconscious vision with thought
- Nirvikalpa Samadi superconscious vision without thought.
- Finally "the realization of that which is beyond thought and speech. In this state there is nothing to be seen; nothing to be heard. Everything is lost in the Infinite."[5]
Footnotes
- ↑ Brahmananda, Swami. Spiritual Teachings of Swami Brahmananda. 2nd ed. Mylapor, Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1933. p. 5.
- ↑ Vanamali. The Science of the Rishis: The Spiritual and Material Discoveries of the Ancient Sages of India. Toronto: Inner Traditions, 2015.
- ↑ Vivekananda, Swami. Raja Yoga. Leeds, England: Press, 2003. p. 62. https://ia801208.us.archive.org/14/items/RajaYogaBySwamiVivekananda/Raja-Yoga-by-Swami-Vivekananda.pdf
- ↑ Akhilananda, Swami. Hindu Psychology: Its Meaning in the West. Routledge, 1948.
- ↑ Brahmananda, Swami. Spiritual Teachings of Swami Brahmananda. 2nd ed. Mylapor, Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1933. p. 12-13.
