Attainment of Samadhi

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--- On Sat, 14/11/09, Swami Sadasivananda <sadasivananda wrote:

 

 

ATTAINMENT OF SAMADHI

 

“In the recesses of the lotus-shaped heart of all, from Vishnu downwards, there shines as Absolute Consciousness, the Paramatman (Supreme Spirit) who is the same as Arunachala or Ramana. When the mind melts with love of him and reaches the inmost recess of the heart wherein he abides as the Beloved, the subtle eye of Absolute Consciousness opens and He reveals Himself as pure Knowledge.†Five Stanzas on Sri Arunachala (Arunachala Pancharatnam)

 

 

 

For one who is following the path of devotion to God, the passage through different stages of samadhi will not only be experienced as deeper levels of consciousness, but also as deeper degrees of sincerity and the longing of devotion. Acceptance of the wonder of this accomplishment is also acceptance of the task of persistence; for the goal is glorious.

 

The Beauty of Seeking the Beloved

 

 

As one develops abhyasa (repeated practice) and vairagya (dispassion), and as the mind gradually comes under control through vichara (reflection), there ensues a peace that is inconceivable. This control of the mind has three stages. They are dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Each stage has its own beauty to behold.

 

Dharana is focusing the mind, gaining a focused attention. Dhyana is a continuity of the focused attention. Maintaining this state of continued focus is called meditation. When, in meditation, all the thoughts are gathered into one place and steady focus deepens into absorption it is called samadhi. Samadhi is stepping beyond the normal limits of consciousness, going beyond the ego’s domination. This new found freedom is a wonder to behold.

 

In the first stage of concentration you are gathering the mind, for the mind is distracted. It is essential that we let the mind be focused. Then, in the second stage, let the focus continue as steadily and naturally as possible. When you are attempting meditation and you succeed in focusing the mind, subtle impressions are created within the subconscious that will make the process easier in the future. Therefore sustained effort is needed.

 

In the third stage, when this process becomes natural and requires less effort, your consciousness expands and steps beyond your ego. This heralds an awareness of a profound depth, which has never been seen before. It is an expansion that holds within itself all that is good and beautiful and wondrous. This experience is called samadhi.

 

These three states are fused together. Where dharana ends, dhyana begins. Where dhyana (meditation) ends, samadhi begins. It is a natural progression. Due to a lack of perseverance few reach samadhi. And though still fewer reach the higher stages of samadhi, the persistence in curbing distractions produces a profound effect on the personality. When successful achievement of samadhi does come, it becomes miraculous. -- Spiritual Teachings of the Masters from the East and West web site: http://www.spiritual-teaching.com