Define Samadhi

[Yeshe]

Now, I know that Samashi really cant be defined but, people say things about it that are very far out, and others make it seem reasonable. Ramana Maharshi said that its not the intensity of the experiance that makes it Samadhi, its how much of mental formations are gone. Others say that energy raises up the spine, pressure is felt on the crown, and you lose all human consciousness and the soul leaves the body. I personally agree with Ramana Maharshi.

Here are my classifications, which are in the line of Ramana Maharshi-

Savikalpa Samadhi- Here thoughts are still presents but very concentrated.

Nirvikalpa Samadhi- Here thoughts and duality have ceased, but effort is here.

Sahaja Samadhi- This means spontaneous. Here the thoughtless samadhi state is effortless and natural.

Here Nirvikalpa means that there is a possibility to go back to ego consciousness, or to transcend to Sahaja Samadhi.

[Riverwolf]

I just define it the way that Krishna did in the second chapter of the BG.

[Yeshe]

Can you please say what Krishna says. I remember that Chaitanya Mahabrabhu says that its being absorbed in the love of God. And Prabhupada says that its a mind fixed on something.

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by Saiva

Can you please say what Krishna says. I remember that Chaitanya Mahabrabhu says that its being absorbed in the love of God. And Prabhupada says that its a mind fixed on something.

"71. Whoever has abandoned desires, and moves about without attachments and the sense of 'I' and 'mine' - he attains to peace.

72. This, O son of Pritha, is the state of dwelling in Brahman. Having attained it, one is no more deluded. By abiding in that state even by the time of death, one is united with Brahman."
-Srimad Bhagavad Gita-The Scripture of Mankind
Translation by Swami Tapasyananda

I don't follow Sri Caitanya's philosophy, nor am I the biggest fan of the teachings of Sri Prabhupada. (Though I respect both of them.) I follow the philosophy of Sri Ramakrishna's Vedanta, as well as worship God in the form of Siva.

[Yeshe]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

"71. Whoever has abandoned desires, and moves about without attachments and the sense of 'I' and 'mine' - he attains to peace.

72. This, O son of Pritha, is the state of dwelling in Brahman. Having attained it, one is no more deluded. By abiding in that state even by the time of death, one is united with Brahman."
-Srimad Bhagavad Gita-The Scripture of Mankind
Translation by Swami Tapasyananda

I don't follow Sri Caitanya's philosophy, nor am I the biggest fan of the teachings of Sri Prabhupada. (Though I respect both of them.) I follow the philosophy of Sri Ramakrishna's Vedanta, as well as worship God in the form of Siva.

Very interesting. i agree with you i dont really care for Prahbhupada's teachings. But i do love Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. To me he is one of the greatest Bhakta's. But I, like you, worship God as Shiva and therefore they arnt my center of practice.

I can really agree, though, with whats said above.

[Anti-religion]

Originally Posted by Saiva

Here are my classifications, which are in the line of Ramana Maharshi-

Savikalpa Samadhi- Here thoughts are still presents but very concentrated.

Nirvikalpa Samadhi- Here thoughts and duality have ceased, but effort is here.

Sahaja Samadhi- This means spontaneous. Here the thoughtless samadhi state is effortless and natural.

Here Nirvikalpa means that there is a possibility to go back to ego consciousness, or to transcend to Sahaja Samadhi.

I think this is a theory of advaita or shaivite schools.I dont think other dualistic schools have Nirvikalpa (No-form) concept.I would like to hear from them.

[Onkarah]

Why is there so much interest in Samadhi?
What is the state of no Samadhi?

[Yeshe]

Originally Posted by Onkarah

Why is there so much interest in Samadhi?
What is the state of no Samadhi?

Samadhi has to do with thought. Nirvikalpa Samadhi is no thought, no duality. the state of no samadhi is the Mind, Ego, Thought. When thought is present, Samadhi isnt. When samadhi is present, thought is not! That is why the interest in samadhi is so great. I say that its the only thing worth striving for!

[Onkarah]

Consciosuness is present regardless of Samadhi. So is being and bliss. Thoughts come and go as do a many other experiences. Why does the striving arise?

[Yeshe]

Originally Posted by Onkarah

Consciosuness is present regardless of Samadhi. So is being and bliss. Thoughts come and go as do a many other experiences. Why does the striving arise?

You are absolutly CORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If i could give you a dollar i would!

consciousness is always there, there was never a time when it was gone. Just thoughts have convered it up. The mind is limited consciousness, it is the "I" in the Body. this limitation of "I" is Bondage. So samadhi is the undoing of this limitation only momentarily, or forever. So Samadhi is important because it is your Ture Nature, your Svabhav.

This striving or struggle arises because the mind is always working. The mind has become automated and it like a computer that doesnt want to turn off. Its always working, even when your dreaming. The only time it stops is when your in a deep sleep state. Ramana Maharshi once said that whatever is not present in the deep sleep state is not real. So only consciousness is real. Many people say that we are unconsciousness in the deep sleep state. But, doesnt the ability of knowing we were unconscious show that we are conscious? Doent the act of not remembering show that remembering was present?

i feel that you dont want to stop your thoughts because maybe youve tried and its hard? Please tell me if im wrong. But, if that is the way it is, keep on prgressing on your path. We must all return to the thoughtless state, its our true nature. I used to THINK, whats the point of stopping thoughts, cant i attain enlightenment with thoughts. Oh its so hard to keep in the thoughtless state! But, if one wants to stop the thought process a struggle is inevitable. all you can do is persevere and go at the pace you can go. remember: there is no rush. Dont even think about the end result. Just progress with light determination, and the end will come to you naturally.