The fragments with the Whole, one meditates
On the vast Source; thus fulfilment found
One becomes immortal.
The analogy of salt dissolving in water to explain the
concept of Samadhi, or trance, is a profound one often found in spiritual and
philosophical teachings, particularly within Eastern traditions like Hinduism
and Buddhism.
When salt is added to water, it dissolves completely,
seemingly losing its individual identity and becoming indistinguishable from
the water itself. Similarly, in the state of Samadhi, the mind is said to merge
with the cosmic soul, or the divine consciousness, losing its sense of
individuality and becoming one with the universal consciousness.
Samadhi is often described as the highest state of
consciousness achievable through meditation or spiritual practice. It
represents a profound union with the ultimate reality or divine presence. In
this state, the distinctions between the meditator and the object of
meditation, between subject and object, dissolve, leaving only the pure
experience of unity and oneness.
Practitioners of meditation and yoga seek to attain Samadhi
as a means of transcending the limitations of the ego and the individual mind,
and experiencing a deep sense of peace, bliss, and interconnectedness with all
existence.
The analogy of salt and water illustrates how the individual
mind, like salt, can dissolve into the vast ocean of cosmic consciousness,
losing its separateness and becoming one with the divine essence that permeates
all of creation. Just as salt cannot be separated from water once it has
dissolved, the individual consciousness that experiences Samadhi is said to be
inseparable from the universal consciousness, forever united in the eternal
dance of existence.
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When a living being’s material desires ... state of the soul wherein one’s agitations are nullified.
Samadhi, in Hinduism, represents the pinnacle of spiritual
attainment, a state of profound absorption and oneness with the divine. It's
often described as the ultimate goal of spiritual practice, where the
individual soul merges with the universal consciousness, or God. This state is
characterized by a profound sense of peace, tranquility, and inner harmony,
where all material desires and worldly attachments cease to exist.
The concept of Samadhi is deeply rooted in various Hindu
scriptures, particularly in the teachings of yoga and Vedanta. It is considered
one of the highest states of consciousness achievable through disciplined
spiritual practice, meditation, and self-realization.
In the practice of yoga, Samadhi is the final stage of the
eightfold path outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. It is preceded by
dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation), leading to a state of complete
absorption, where the meditator transcends the boundaries of the individual
self and experiences unity with the divine.
Within Vedanta, Samadhi is often described as the
realization of the ultimate truth (Brahman) and the dissolution of the ego
(ahamkara). It is the culmination of self-inquiry (jnana yoga) and devotion
(bhakti yoga), leading to the direct experience of the divine essence pervading
all of existence.
The state of Samadhi is said to be marked by the absence of
mental fluctuations (vrittis) and the dissolution of dualistic perception. In
this state, the practitioner experiences pure awareness and bliss, transcending
the limitations of time, space, and individual identity.
While Samadhi is often associated with advanced spiritual practitioners and yogis, it is believed to be attainable by anyone dedicated to the path of self-realization and inner transformation. It represents the ultimate liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and the attainment of eternal bliss and union with the divine.