The ultimate goal of yoga is to realize Samadhi (bliss or Nirvana). Absolute freedom from all worries, doubts, attachments and sufferings brings bliss.
This is the last part in a series of eight articles about what “Ashtanga” really means, as derived from Patanjali’s ancient text of wisdom called the Yoga Sutras.
(Asht = Eight, Tanga = Limbs. Not to be confused with Ashtanga Yoga, a practice founded by yoga guru Pattabhi Jois.)
By Sherriann Melwani
This is the final stage of Patanjali’s eight-fold path as written in the Yoga Sutras. Being in Samadhi means we become one with peace because we eventually realize, through practice and knowledge, that the real self is peace without having to do or be anything. Such deep realization is difficult to comprehend and come by, therefore attaining Samadhi is challenging. But the heart can sample it from time to time in peaceful moments as there are several levels of Samadhi. Once residing in the highest level, the yogi remains there.
The yogi in Samadhi becomes jivanmukta (jivan means life, and mukta means in liberated), a liberated, self-realized person. The jivanmukta state merges with everything and experiences oneness. There is no distinction or separateness from the Divine. Differences, names and forms fade away, thoughts and ego disappear, and the state transcends beyond time and space.
Read Dyana, The Seventh Limb of Ashtanga
The eight-limbed path
The divinely realized eight-limbed path of Patanjali culminates with Samadhi. As one progresses on this path towards self-realization, there is discomfort, suffering and pain, all of which purify the mind and prepare us for Samadhi. We learn how to care for the body and mind to achieve radiant health. We grow through self-reflection and through our interactions with others. In dharana and dhyana, there is much thinking and concentration as we practice becoming the witness of the thoughts. In Samadhi, however, there is no thinking. We are beyond the witness. When we start to realize the Self, this is the beginning of Samadhi.
Maybe we spend years seeking for bliss through external things like experiences, wealth, objects and other sources. Through the eight-limbed path, we eventually realize that bliss is already within us. All doubts, pain points and attachments fade away. The soul is awakened to its true nature, and we become free of limitations and inhibitions of life, thereby becoming jivanmukta. This is self-realization.
Even though Samadhi is not an action that can be performed, I have found 4 key concepts that have helped me remove obstacles, purify my mind and heart, and contribute to a readiness for a transcendent state. With devotion, surrender, patience and discipline (following the yamas and niyamas), we commit ourselves to the higher stages of yoga.
- Devotion
In order to continue on our yogic path, we need motivation, and this comes when we receive guidance or focus on something beyond ourselves, like a teacher or a higher being. In the process, we must be humble and let go of ego. Devotion to something other than ourselves offers us support along our journey. We add humility to our life while choosing something that we can be inspired by and look up to for encouragement and support, especially during life’s challenges. Prayer and devotion go a long way in keeping us focused and motivated in our practice, and may just be the missing key that opens the door pointing us towards freedom. - Surrender
By letting go of ego, attachments and desires, we open ourselves to divine possibilities. Sometimes we (the ego) think we know exactly what we need, but the process of yoga teaches us higher lessons. We can choose to soften our resistance and allow life to flow. As we surrender our need for control, we find we are less reactive and contentious when faced with difficulties. Drama will still be there but our ability to handle difficult situations with grace, and our non-attachment to their outcomes, makes us surrender and be less vulnerable to intense reactions. Acceptance becomes easy and we find space in our consciousness to heal. Through surrender, we find liberation. Our progress towards maturity is directly related to our ability to surrender. - Patience
Our mind heals with the softness that comes from devotion and surrender. We relax in the process and understand that the process of yoga takes time, effort, trial and error. We become purified through the process of waiting. Through mindfulness and meditation, we learn to enjoy moments rather than always rushing ahead or thinking about the future. The ego dissolves, and we realize that time is relative, and this gives us strength to be even more patient. - Follow the Yamas & Niyamas
If Samadhi is what you want to eventually attain, keep following all the previous limbs especially the yamas and niyamas, and you will find yourself on the path towards realizing bliss. When we are compassionate and kind to others, something powerful happens to us. We are transformed through love. It is as if all the other pieces of the puzzle just automatically fall into place when we follow the first two limbs. Life will always bring challenges; but our ability to cope with these challenges dramatically increases when we are compassionate. We become selfless and the true self shines. We see ourselves in others and we become one with others. This pattern is oneness, the foundation of Samadhi. We open our hearts to be ready to receive all the divine goodness and unification that awaits us.
Sherriann Melwani is a yoga teacher in Asia and Europe.
