Yoga / Mar 1

Samadhi — Contemplation

Samadhi is the eighth and final limb in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It is considered the highest state of consciousness and is described as becoming one with the object of meditation.

The yogic meditative path takes us from Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) to Dharana (concentration). This eventually develops into Dhyana (meditation). Perfecting Dhyana can be a lifelong practice, which, in theory, leads to Samadhi. This state is difficult to attain, and in my 13 years of casual practice, I have barely moved past simple Dhyana exercises.

There’s no physical effect of Samadhi since it essentially represents a state in which the Self ceases to exist. In Samadhi, there are no desires, labels, or delusions of the Self.

One way to imagine this state of being is to remember a time you woke up from a nightmare. Did you feel relief that your surreal delusions were just a dream? This is how it might feel to find Samadhi as you move from waking life consciousness to your highest Self.

In Samadhi, we can perceive that all our thoughts and emotions experienced in waking life are delusions. In this sense, the eightfold path to Yoga is a journey to reach an elevated state of being. It is often said that Yoga is the journey of the Self, through the Self, to the Self.

According to the Yoga Sutras, Samadhi is a state of emptiness due to the cessation of all thoughts and impulses of the mind. It’s this cessation of the monkey mind that is the primary goal of Yoga—to rise above the constant thinking and feeling of Self and Ego.

The Journey to Samadhi — Enlightenment — is a Lifelong Practice

In the traditional viewpoint, the ultimate goal of the eightfold path is to liberate the mind and find Kaivalya—a state of complete inner freedom. Yet every yogi who walks the righteous path is headed towards ever-deepening states of consciousness.

There are thousands of ways the journey alone benefits us. Training the breath will make you a better, more capable surfer. The Asana practice will strengthen your body and increase mobility. Training your mind to focus and ignoring the impulses of social media, news, or gossip will improve your relationships. Devoted practitioners might never reach Samadhi, but they will develop breath control, strength, and focus.

Our commitment as yogis is also to cultivate openness, nonattachment, and clarity of the mind. The goal here is to reach a sattvic state, or a purified, harmonious, and balanced state of mind. All the limbs of yoga work together and reinforce each other to transform our inner world.

The more we practice Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation, the easier it becomes to practice the Yamas and Niyamas. The more we stay true to the Yamas and Niyamas, the easier it is to meditate and use our bodies freely.

In this way, we come full circle by serving others and enjoying the simple beauty of being alive. This is how yoga transitions from a physical practice to a transformative experience. By following the eightfold path — an incredible journey from the head to the heart — we may discover that we have already reached Samadhi—Enlightenment.

To Achieve Samadhi — Enlightenment — Always Come Back to the Breath

The breath is an essential factor in our Yoga practice and our life. Primarily as a tool for mindfulness, the breath can help us become aware of ourselves—our emotions and physical limitations. The breath reminds us we are alive, the greatest gift of all.

Yoga makes us aware of the healing powers of the breath and how it affects every aspect of our being. When we observe the quality of the breath, we have continual feedback about our mental and physical state. The breath can also be used as a tool for both physical engagement and for cultivating relaxation and ease.

Engaging the breath and connecting it to our inner energy flow can enhance our mental focus. Breathing consciously helps us cut through the monkey mind and emotional fluctuations of daily life. It helps transform Vinyasa Yoga into a moving meditation that invokes a higher intention—a connection to the divine.

Practicing yoga in all its forms helps us honor our bodies. It teaches us that the body is an instrument for both experiencing and enjoying life. It teaches us that the body is sacred, and we must treat it as such, letting go of judgment and self-destructive habits. Yoga teaches us to use our bodies, breath, and mind to cultivate peace and harmony in our lives.

We can also learn how to use the breath to cultivate calmness and serenity in uncomfortable situations. We learn to silence the mind and listen to our bodies and hearts. Finally, we know that we are also holding the key to our happiness and that of our loved ones.

Present-moment awareness, deep breathing, gratefulness, and compassion are just some of the noble gifts the practice of Yoga brings us. Connecting to the breath gives us a deep understanding that we are not separate from the world and that we are connected.

With this insight, we understand we cannot be truly free and happy until all beings are free. This is the bodhisattva vow. To remain on Earth helping others until all sentient beings have become enlightened. Eventually, we will all wake up from the dream state that is waking life and experience Samadhi—a deep understanding that we are all one.

“May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”

The Eight Limbs of Yoga — Walking the Righteous Path

The yoga path has many different stages, so being in tune with what you need at this moment is a critical element of the yoga practice. Yoga is a personal journey, and no one else can do it for you. A teacher may guide and correct you through various postures, remind you to breathe correctly, and share their knowledge of yoga philosophy and meditation, but you are the one who takes the journey.

On this journey, each practitioner cultivates a different perspective and understanding of what yoga is and what it can do for us. The path of exploration starts by questioning our Ego and societal conditioning. In the pursuit of self-knowledge, we will reach the core of our existence—our behaviors, our values, our bodies, and our minds.

With this insight, we understand that everyone is on a personal journey and unique path. This knowledge allows us to transcend the divisions created by our minds and overcome the fears that separate us from one another.

This path also serves to reconnect us to the most divine source of energy that exists: Mother Nature. Ultimately, this practice connects us to the purest and most truthful essence of our beings and the universal truth of love. Regardless of the approach, technique, method, or order of our yoga journey, we all eventually reach the same destination when we walk the righteous path.

“My soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty, and peace within you because it is also within me.”

Resources

Thron, Raji. Mastering Vinyasa Yoga: The Yoga Synthesis Guide to Dynamic Sequencing with Hundreds of Photos and Instructions.Yoga Synthesis. Kindle Edition.
Freeman, Richard; Taylor, Mary. The Art of Vinyasa. Shambhala. Kindle Edition.
Jakubowicz, Rina. The Yoga Mind: 52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen Your Practice. Rockridge Press. Kindle Edition.