Experiencing the Samadhi State
There are many levels of experiencing the state of Samadhi, the profound state where man penetrates the ultimate essence of everything, perfectly identifying himself with God, the Supreme Absolute.
Thus, in Raja Yoga ( Royal Yoga), Nirodha Samadhi is obtained when divine ecstasy appears through the suspension of mental fluctuations. In Bhakti Yoga, Bhava Samadhi is obtained when the supra-conscious reaches an extremely intense manifestation of Divine Love. A person who practices Hatha Yoga will obtain the Samadhi state by the awakening the Kundalini (the essential potential energy of the human being) and by its ascent to the chakra on top of the head (Sahasrara), a process that is usually accompanied by many paranormal capacities. The Veda disciple obtains Bheda Samadhi through the superior mind that strives to be aware of the unreality of this phenomenal world. A Christian sees Jesus everywhere and also in his heart, ecstatically identifying with Him in the end and through Him with God – The Father. Thus, the Christian does not eliminate the fluctuations of the mind; he only modifies his mental attitude.
In essence, all states of Samadhi can be grouped into two categories: Savikalpa Samadhi and Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Savikalpa Samadhi represents the state of consciousness where modifications of the mind still exist. Analysis and synthesis, investigations, searches and abstract reasoning take place in this state. However no negative thoughts remain, for the mind is completely purified. The state of happiness obtained in this form of Samadhi can constitute an obstacle in the obtaining of spiritual enlightenment, because the disciple can stop working, thinking he has reached the end. Meditation should be practiced now even more intensively, in order for him to enter the next stage, Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Nirvikalpa Samadhi is the state of supra-consciousness where there are no more modifications of the mind and therefore there is infinite freedom of the spirit. When this state of supra-consciousness (Nirvikalpa Samadhi) becomes continuous and natural, the state of Sahajavastha is reached, which is the state of a living liberated person. A moving car can be compared to the state of Savikalpa Samadhi. When the car stops, this is Nirvikalpa Samadhi and when the driver gets out of the car, the state of Sahajavastha is reached. The ultimate goal of every spiritual seeker is complete communion with God, characterized by the lack of any fluctuation of the mind, of imagination and of any exterior modification. This is the moment in which the mind games cease, doubts disappear and the consequences of our past and present actions are destroyed.
