What is Samadhi?

Answer 1

Samadhi is the Sanskrit word for Meditation. Among the least understood words in the English language is Meditation. True Meditation is a state of Super-consciousness that is contacted nearly always in a very deep state of trance.

In the initial stages of Meditation ( Savikalpa Samadhi ) the body of the yogi is in a state of conscious death. The body's life force has withdrawn into the higher centers leaving the body in a state of suspended animation. The yogi is fully aware of his bodily condition and is in a positive state of yogic trance.

In Savikalpa Samadhi the yogi cannot maintain this very elevated state of super-consciousness except in the immobile trance state.

It is for this reason that the yogis favorite position is the lotus posture

( Padmasana ) for it allows him to keep the spine upright and locks the body securely against the danger of falling, backward or forward, during the immobile trance state.

By continuous Meditation and advancement to higher spiritual states the yogi is able to progress into the deepest states of Meditation called Nirvikalpa Samadhi, which is a state of Samadhi without bodily fixation and maintains his blissful state of super-consciousness in his ordinary waking state, even in the midst of exacting worldly duties. In other words it becomes a permanent state of consciousness.

From a purely Metaphysical perspective:

In Meditation the semi-dormant power called Kundalini which normally resides at the base of the spine is activated and risen consciously by the yogi upwards through the spinal column or rather its subtle etheric counterpart known as Sushumna.

When this Goddess Kundalini has been risen in her entirety through the lower centers and enters the HeartChakra ( Anahata Chakra ) the yogi is then in a deep state of trance bordering on Meditation ( Samadhi).

When Kundalini is manifesting in her entirety through Anahata Chakra the yogi's body becomes dormant and paralyzed, unable to walk or to move his legs or hips.

When 'she' enters the Throat Center ( Vishuddha Chakra) the yogi or yogini is then in a state of true Meditation. The body of the yogi or yogini is in the immobile death-like state of Savikalpa Samadhi.

When Kundalini activates the Vishuddha Chakra the yogi's body is completely paralyzed - the blood has almost stopped circulation because the heart has almost stopped beating ( or in some cases, has actually stopped!).

When 'she' rises even higher into the Christ Center ( Ajna Chakra ) the yogi is then in true deep meditative state. The Meditator is in a deep state of conscious-death - the heart has stopped beating and the blood is in a state of semi-suspension with a warm band of heat around the forehead to stop rigor mortis from setting in.

Only one who can enter the true state of Meditation ( Samadhi ) at will and has experienced Cosmic Consciousness is classed as a Master or Jivan Mukta(''Freed while living''). Only then is one fully Self-Realized although has some karma to be worked out before becoming Fully Liberated.

With the first glimpse of Cosmic Consciousness one gradually experiences Nirvikalpa Samadhi - union with God without the need for bodily fixation in deep trance.