ConcentrationSamadhi (Sanskrit: समाधि, lit. "establish, make firm") is a Hindu and Buddhist term that describes a non-dualistic state of consciousness in which the consciousness of the experiencing subject becomes one with the experienced object,[1] and in which the mind becomes still (one-pointed or concentrated)[2] though the person remains conscious. Answer 2

Meditation !!!

I would have to disagree with the previous answer on one or two points. Firstly, Concentration is not a non-dualistic state of consciousness for however deep the state of concentration there is always the distinction between the object of concentration and concentrator.

It is solely through the achievement of Nirvikalpa Samadhi that a yogi can say from the depths of his realization ''Ekam Sat' (Only One exists).

According to the ancient sage Patanjali he classifies Samadhi or Meditation into two stages which he called Samprajnata and Asamprajnata.

Samprajnata Samadhi refers to Savikalpa (''with difference'') Samadhi a state of deep meditation where there remains some difference between the knower and known, as in the realization ''Thou and I are One''.

Asamprajnata Samadhi refers to Nirvikalpa (''Without Difference'') Samadhi, the highest union manifested by fully liberated Masters or those on the threshold of liberation. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi the consciousness of ''Thou and I are One'' becomes ''I Am He who has become this little 'I' and All forms''.

Even in the initial stages of Meditation - Sabikalpa Samadhi- the yogi still becomes One with that upon which he Meditates although there is still some attachments to the ego-principle.

Only one firmly established in Nirvikalpa Samadhi is freed of all egotistical tendencies having mastered his more basic aspects and living anew in the superconscious realms in the world and yet 'not of it!'.

Meditation is the English equivalent to the Sanskrit term 'Samadhi'.

In concentration one learnes to restrict the flow of thoughts to a single point or object of concentration. In concentration the mind is concentrating on something either inside or outside the subject. Through concentration one can gain knowledge or learn a certain subject very thoroughly.

Although this is a very helpful practice and a preliminary to Meditation, concentration itself is subject to the 'dualistic effects of nature' and so therefore cannot be 'non-dualistic'.

For example: 'I might concentrate upon a tree and learn its colour, movement, patterning and even deduce the time of year, whether it was raining or frosty etc This is all useful information perhaps but we have only studied the trees characteristics on a purely basic level. If we concentrate on the same tree a week later it will shown obvious changes. We've studied the dualistic relativities of a trees structure and environment.

In contemplation we go even further into the psychic realm and not only understand the tree from a physical point of view but also allow our mind to receive information back from the tree along our mental stream of directed thought so as to learn even more about the tree. From contemplation (depending upon the degree of contemplation) we might learn its internal structure, how it was planted and if so why!, its age, whether it is healthy or has some ailment, what kind of healing it might require, what its environment or weather was like last Tuesday or 50 years ago, has it been used by peoples in the past and even if it will be used by someone in the future!!!

In meditation or Samadhi we go even farther still into the superphysical realms far above the contemplative.

In meditation the yogi becomes 'At One With The Tree'!.

Like Brother Lawrence, the 17th century christian mystic who saw a tree and was so moved that he went into Samadhi. He not only saw the tree physically but also communed or saw God - the trees Creator beyond the factory of nature. In this state all sense perceptions are superseded by Divine Awareness into the very essence of the tree. He percieves the life and consciousness behind and within the tree which is gaining experience in that particular form and All forms!

The meditator comes out of this deep Samadhic Meditation as a Knower. He knows about that tree intimately in all its aspects! physical, psychic, mental, spiritual etc should he or she wish to know them!

He might know its whole karmic pattern and what lessons or experiences it must endure until it becomes another lifeform in 2,000 years!

He or she Knows the tree in its dualistic and non-dualistic states.

He knows about and has communed with the unmanifested Spirit or supreme Essence Within the tree! Only when a person has communed with the Essence of something can he be said to really know about that subject.

In meditation the consciousness of the 'individual' has left the jurisdiction of duality to become at one with God.

This is meditation.

Resources

Top Categories

Product

Company