The monthly theme for May brings us to the last two limbs of
Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, Dhyana
and Samadhi.
From the previous limb or Dharana, we learned the importance of single pointed
concentration. It is the
foundation for the next limb, Dhyana,
or meditation. It is at this point
that there is uninterrupted flow of concentration. It is a fine distinction but at this point the mind has
quieted and in the stillness it produces few or no thoughts at all. One is aware without focus. One has actually merged with the object
of concentration. It has
often been compared to rain drops falling. The rain drops themselves represent, dharana, or
intermittent moments of focused attention. When they fall to Earth and create a river, there is a
merging of the individual raindrops into one stream, like dhyana, or meditation.
The final limb is Samadhi,
or enlightenment or super consciousness.
Here we lose all attachment and are one with the meditation. Samadhi is the state in which we no
longer experience reality through our own filters. Instead we experience reality directly. It is the state in which you are aware
on a cellular level of the underlying oneness of the universe. Judith Lasater says “ Samadhi is a state of being intensely
present without a point of view.”
It is believed that we can achieve this in our everyday lives but is
seems we need the journey of yoga to discover what was present inside us all
along.
No comments:
Post a Comment