Instructions on Samadhi

Instructions on Samadhi

by Swami Sivananda

1. Samadhi is not like a stone-like inert state as many foolish persons imagine. When the self is bound down to its empirical accidents, its activities are not fully exercised, and when the limitations of the empirical existence are transcended the universal life is identified and you have enrichment of the self. You will have a rich inner life. You will have an expanded cosmic life and supra-cosmic life too.

2. Intuition is a spiritual Anubhava. It is direct perception or immediate knowledge through Samadhi. Professor Bergsen of France preaches about intuition to make the people understand that there is another higher source of knowledge than intellect. In intuition there is no reasoning process at all. It is Pratyaksha. Intuition transcends reason but does not contradict it. Intellect takes a man to the door of intuition and returns back. Intuition is Divya Drishti. It is Jnana-Chakshu. Spiritual flashes and glimpses of Truth come through intuition. Inspiration, revelation, spiritual insight come through intuition.

3. A sudden stroke of mystic illumination puts an end to all the empirical existence altogether and the very idea or remembrance of such a thing as this world absolutely leaves the self.

4. Samadhi is of two kinds viz., Jada Samadhi and Chaitanya Samadhi. A Hatha Yogi, through the practice of Khechari Mudra, can shut himself in a box which is buried underneath the ground for months and years. There is no supersensual knowledge in this kind of Samadhi. In Chaitanya Samadhi, there is perfect awareness. The Yogi comes down with new, supersensuous wisdom.

5. A Hatha Yogi draws all his Prana from the different parts of his body and takes it to the Sahasrara Chakra at the top of the head. Then he enters into Samadhi. Therefore it is very difficult to bring him down to objective consciousness by merely shaking his body. Hatha Yogis have remained buried underneath the earth in Samadhi for thousands of years. They plug the posterior nostrils through Khechari Mudra with their tongue. You can bring down to normal objective consciousness a Raja Yogi or a Bhakta or a Jnana Yogi by mere shaking of the body or blowing a conch. Queen Chudalai brought down her husband Sikhidhvaja from Samadhi by shaking his body. Lord Hari brought Prahlada down from his Samadhi by blowing His conch.

6. A Bhakta gets Bhava Samadhi through Prema of the Lord. A Raja Yogi gets Asamprajnata Samadhi through Chitta Vritti Nirodha, by suppressing the mental modifications. A Vedantin gets Samadhi through Mithyatva Buddhi and concentration on the idea of Asti-Bhati-Priya (the Anvaya method).

7. When the Yogi has reached the last perfect stage of meditation and Samadhi, the fire whereof burns all the residue of his actions. He at once gets liberation in this very life (Jivanmukti).

8. During sleep you rest in Sat-chit-ananda Atman or pure consciousness and enjoy the spiritual bliss which is independent of objects. The difference between sleep and Samadhi is that, in sleep there is the veil of ignorance. When you come down from Samadhi you come with new spiritual knowledge.

9. If there is a mind, there is the world also. If you can produce Mano-nasa consciously through Sadhana by getting rid of this little ‘I’ and ‘mineness’, this world will disappear.10. The Yogi ascends the various rungs of the Yogic ladder, stage by stage and acquires different experiences, knowledge and powers. He first gets Savitarka and Nirvitarka Samadhi. He then enters Savichara and Nirvichara Samadhi. Then he experiences Sananda and Sasmita Samadhi.

Instructions on Samadhi – Absorption, Inner Silence, and Supreme Realization

Instructions on Samadhi are meant for sincere seekers who wish to understand the deeper stages of meditation and inner absorption. Samadhi is not ordinary concentration, sleep, imagination, or emotional excitement. It is a refined state of consciousness in which the restless movements of the mind become quiet and awareness shines with great clarity. It is one of the highest aims of Raja Yoga and a doorway to direct spiritual realization.

The seeker should first understand that this state cannot be forced. It comes through purity, discipline, steady practice, devotion, dispassion, and guidance. A mind filled with desire, anger, greed, jealousy, pride, fear, and restlessness cannot enter deep absorption easily. Therefore, preparation is essential. Ethical living, self-control, truthfulness, compassion, moderation, and purity of conduct form the foundation.

Instructions on Samadhi begin with control of the mind. The mind usually runs outward through the senses toward objects, pleasures, memories, plans, and worries. Meditation gathers this scattered energy and directs it inward. The seeker must practice concentration on one chosen object, such as a mantra, the breath, a divine form, light, the heart centre, or the witnessing consciousness.

Regularity is very important. Sit at the same time every day, preferably in a clean, quiet place. Keep the body steady, the spine upright, and the breath calm. Do not begin meditation with hurry or tension. Offer a short prayer, relax the body, and gently bring the mind to the chosen point. When thoughts arise, do not fight violently. Observe and return calmly.

Instructions on Samadhi require patience. Many seekers become discouraged because the mind does not become silent quickly. This is natural. The mind has been restless for many years, so it needs training. Every sincere attempt has value. Each time the mind is brought back, concentration becomes stronger. Slow progress is still progress when the direction is right.

The seeker should avoid over-expectation. Some may look for visions, lights, sounds, bliss, or unusual experiences. These may come or may not come. They are not the final goal. Attachment to experiences can become a subtle obstacle. The highest aim is freedom from ignorance and realization of the true self, not collection of inner sensations.

Purity of lifestyle supports meditation. Eat moderately, sleep properly, avoid excessive talking, reduce unnecessary social distraction, and keep noble company. Impure food, careless entertainment, gossip, anger, and indulgence disturb the mind. A simple and disciplined life makes the inner instrument fit for deeper silence.

Instructions on Samadhi also warn against pride. If a seeker experiences calmness or subtle joy, the ego may secretly say, “I am advanced.” This thought itself becomes a barrier. Real progress makes one humble, compassionate, peaceful, and self-controlled. If meditation increases arrogance, harshness, or separation from others, the practice needs correction.

Devotion protects the aspirant on this path. Prayer, surrender, mantra repetition, and remembrance of the Divine soften the heart and remove dryness. Meditation without humility can become mental effort only. When devotion is present, the seeker feels guided by grace and becomes less dependent on personal ego.

Dispassion is another key instruction. A mind attached to pleasure, praise, possessions, status, and sense enjoyment cannot easily become absorbed in the higher truth. Detachment does not mean hatred of the world. It means freedom from blind craving. The seeker performs duties sincerely but keeps the heart turned toward the eternal.

Instructions on Samadhi become practical when the seeker watches the mind throughout the day. Meditation is not separate from daily conduct. Speak carefully, control anger, serve others, avoid falsehood, forgive quickly, and remember the Divine during work. A restless day produces restless meditation. A disciplined day supports inner stillness.

A competent teacher is helpful for deeper practice. Subtle states can be misunderstood. The mind may mistake dullness for peace, emotion for realization, or imagination for spiritual experience. A wise guide keeps the seeker balanced and reminds them of the true aim. Guidance is especially valuable when practice becomes intense.

The seeker should also understand that there are different levels of absorption. In some states, the object of meditation remains. In deeper states, even the sense of individuality becomes very subtle. But beyond all temporary states is the realization of pure awareness. The true self is not the body, mind, ego, thought, pleasure, pain, or any passing experience.

The signs of genuine growth are calmness, purity, patience, reduced desire, kindness, inner strength, and freedom from unnecessary fear. A person established in deeper meditation does not become careless in life. They become more balanced, loving, truthful, and peaceful. Their presence itself gives comfort to others.

In the end, Instructions on Samadhi teach that deep absorption is reached through purity, concentration, meditation, devotion, dispassion, discipline, and steady practice. It is not a path of force, pride, or curiosity. It is a sacred movement from mental restlessness to inner silence and from ignorance to self-realization. When the mind becomes still and pure, the seeker discovers the peaceful light of the eternal self.

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