Samadhi Pada
(Sutras 1-14)
Thus begins the exposition on Yoga.
Yoga is the restraining of the modifications of the mind. At the time when the thought waves are stilled, the Perceiver rests in his own true nature. When the mind is not concentrated, the Perceiver identifies with its modifications.
There are five types of thought waves, some pleasurable, some painful:
- Knowing
- Misunderstanding
- Imagination
- Sleep
- Memory
Knowledge is direct perception, inference and competent testimony. Misunderstanding is false conception of an idea or object whose real nature is other than that conception. Imagination is identification with mental sensations that have no basis in reality. Sleep is the absence of form in the mind. Memory is the retention of past experiences.
Effort should be made to firmly establish the restraint of thought waves. The control of thought waves is brought about by practice and non-attachment. Practice becomes firmly grounded when continued over a long period of time without interruption and with sincere commitment.
(Sutras 15-29)
The highest state of non-attachment stems from Samadhi, awareness of the Self; that awareness is beyond the three modes of Nature: inertia, activity, and equilibrium.
Samadhi with seed (samprajnata) is accompanied by reasoning, discrimination, and awareness of individuality. Samadhi without seed (asamprajnata) is reached when all mental activity ceases and only unmanifested impressions remain in the mind. Non-attachment is that state of consciousness in which cravings for objects both seen and unseen are controlled though mastery of the will.
The seedless state may be attained by birth in those who have previously experienced a merging with Nature. For others, the seedless state is attained through faith, energy, recollection and keen awareness. Enlightenment comes quickly when the desire for it is intense. Desire for enlightenment can be mild, moderate or intense. Success is swift for those who are committed to realizing the Self.
The Self is that particular center of Consciousness that is unchanged by Becoming. The Self contains the seed of Becoming. Untouched by Time, the Self is the teacher of all teachers, from most ancient times. The Self is expressed in the sound OM. Constant repetition of OM and meditation on its meaning leads to the experience of the Self. From repetition of OM is gained enlightening introspection and elimination of all obstacles.
(Sutras 30-39)
Disease, mental torpor, doubt, indifference, laziness, craving for pleasure, delusion, inability to practice or maintain concentration, restlessness of the mind due to distraction: these are the obstacles to knowledge. Mental pain, depression, physical nervousness, and irregular breathing: these are the symptoms of a distracted mind.
In order to remove these obstacles one should practice prolonged meditation on a specific object, gross or subtle. The mind becomes clear through the cultivation of friendliness, kindness, contentment, and indifference towards happiness, vice, and virtue. Clarity is also achieved by practicing control over the exhalation and retention of the breath.
Steadiness of mind is easily established when the higher senses come into operation. Steadiness of mind is also achieved by concentration on the internal state of luminescence, or by fixing the mind on someone who has conquered desires or attachments, or by meditating upon experiences lived in dream or deep sleep, or by meditation on whatever suits one’s temperment.
(Sutras 40-51)
Thus a yogi’s knowledge gradually extends from the smallest atom to infinity.
For those who have controlled the thought waves through meditation, there is a merging of the perceiver, the perceived, and the perception, just as a crystal assumes the color of the background.
Conceptual Meditation (savitarka) is that state in which the mind alternates between knowledge based on words, true knowledge, and knowledge based on sense perception 0r reasoning. Non-conceptual Meditation (nirvitarka) is that state in which the memory is clarified and the mind, devoid of subjectivity, reflects true knowledge.
By conceptual and non-conceptual meditation, knowledge of external and internal phenomena is gained. The state of samadhi concerned with subtle objects extends to the border of the unmanifested state. All of these practices constitute meditation with seed.
On attaining the utmost purity in non-conceptual meditation (nirvitarka), enlightenment dawns. The knowledge that is attained in this state is knowledge of the Self. Knowledge gained from inference and testimony is confined to a particular object and thus not equal to the experiential knowledge gained from higher states of meditation.
Knowledge of the Self replaces all other knowledge. When even this distinctive thought is restrained, the seedless state is entered.
END OF BOOK
On the Mat: Subscribe Today!
If you have any lingering questions or comments about Yoga, please take advantage of the Comments section below. For future updates and information on Yoga, please subscribe to the RSS Feed.
Thanks for reading…
References
Satchidananda, Sri S. (1978). The Yoga Sutras. Virginia: Integral Yoga Publications
Feuerstein, Georg (1979). The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Vermont: Inner Traditions International
Vishnu-devananda, S. (2006). Meditation and Mantras. Delhi: Montilal Banarsidass Publishers
Images used in this Post
Old Pages photo courtesy of Flickr user Brittany G published under the CC license.
Helix Nebula photo courtesy of Flickr user jimkster published under the CC license.
