Samādhi - The Eighth Limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga
Samādhi
3.3 Tadevārthamātranirbhāsam svarūpaśūnyamiva samādhih.
The eighth and final limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga is samādhi. 3.3 Tadevārthamātranirbhāsam svarūpaśūnyamiva samādhih. When translated samādhi means, “Soon the individual is so much involved in the object, that nothing except its comprehension is evident. It is as if the individual has lost his own identity. This is the complete integration with the object of understanding [samādhi].” In more practical terms, it means our mental activities are integrated with the object [of meditation] and nothing else.
Samādhi is commonly translated to bliss or ecstasy; however, there is no exact translation from Sanskrit to English (remember, context is everything!). A more practical or relatable translation is absorption or liberation.
As I noted in my previous blog on dhāranā and dhyāna: The first five limbs are in chapter two of the Yoga Sūtras, and the last three are in chapter three — this is extremely significant!
The first five limbs are practices we have some immediate capability, or power, to do. However, to practice the last three limbs effectively, we need to already be balanced or sattvic (in a state of Yoga) to some extent. Practicing dhāranā (concentration), dhyānam (meditation), and hopefully samādhi (liberation/absorption) all require a very deep level of focus. Being in a state of Yoga from the start is necessary to help us direct our minds, otherwise it’s not going to happen no matter how hard we try. This is why the last three limbs are located in chapter three, Vibhūtipāda (Contemplation): Once you’ve practiced and procured a state of Yoga, the ability for profound contemplation and deep meditation is possible.
The first five limbs set us up for better success with the last three limbs, but they are not mutually exclusive. After applying and practicing the first five limbs for some time — and we more frequently exist in a state of Yoga — our ability to focus improves, setting us up for dhāranā and dhyāna, and then we can potentially experience samādhi.
When there’s a shift from dhāranā (concentration) to dhyāna (meditation), there is a qualitative difference in our relationship with the object. In dhyāna our whole perspective is locked in on the object of our meditation — there is only the object of meditation and me. Then, if we are extraordinarily focused (and perhaps a little lucky), another shift will happen: samādhi. Samādhi is when our connection with the object becomes so strong that even the awareness that “I am observing” falls away — there is only the object. We are absorbed by the object of our focus and liberated from our physical selves (body and mind), allowing us to purely connect with spirit, soul, atman, Higher Self, Knowing, etc.
When we come out of samādhi, we do not remember the experience. This is another reason samādhi is commonly translated to absorption. There are also accidental moments of samādhi in our lives: We aren’t meditating and trying to control our minds intently, but we are so focused on an activity that the experience of samādhi can happen spontaneously.
So, why are the Eight Limbs, especially samādhi, so important? Because they help support viveka khyathi (discriminative discernment between my patterning and my Knowing). This is our goal and the entire point of Yoga. The Eight Limbs are a series of disciplines that help us develop the context for regular discernment.
Now, why are the last three limbs extremely important? Because they allow us to build new patterns. What we connect to/with will create new experiences, those experiences will leave a residue, and what remains from that residue will be the seed of a new pattern.
Practicing and using the direct ability of our minds, and connecting with objects which will create new and more useful patterns for us, is a wonderful way of developing new patterns which are both useful and more importantly, healing.
This is what Yoga is all about.
A note for context: My perspective is based in the Viniyoga/Desikachar lineage. Viniyoga is a traditional Indian lineage of Yoga taught by TKV Desikachar, who was the son of Krishnamacharya. My teacher, Chase Bossart, was a 20+ year private student of Mr. Desikachar. I have studied this text with Chase, word for Sanskrit word, consistently for the past four years.
Stay tuned to learn more about The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali in my upcoming blog articles.
Namaste,
Kelly