To: K-list
Recieved: 1999/12/07 14:45
Subject: Re: [K-list] Samadhi
From: Gcwein1111
On 1999/12/07 14:45, Gcwein1111 posted thus to the K-list:
In a message dated 12/6/99 5:38:17 PM Eastern Standard Time,
paulwestATnospamstationone.demon.co.uk writes:
It's been interesting to read the descriptions of `Samadhi' that have
been offered so far. What I still am puzzled to know, however, is what
this Samadhi thing is actually meant to be. People are describing what
it was like to experience it, but I don't know how a person appraoches
it, what leads up to it, what it represents. Is it symbolic of
something, does it occur when kundalini gets to a certain stage of
doing what it does? It is something induced? Do you have to work at
some kind of practice for a time to bring it into being? It's just a
little hard to relate to from the point of view of someone who
/probably/ hasn't experienced it and doesn't even know where it fits
into the big picture of things. If someone could clarify more it would
be appreciated, thanks :-D >>
Hello Paul,
l see where others have answered, and l'd like to take a
crack at providing a brief and simple response. Samadhi is a term found in
the Hindu traditions to refer to meditative states. Other terms are used in
other traditions to refer to the same thing ( the classic buddhist text uses
the term jhanas) . These states do not necessarily involve kundalini at all,
although k can lead to them. lnstead samadhi states are the result of using
an object of meditation to develop one's concentration to a high degree and
become increasingly one pointed. This means that the mind becomes more
focused on the object of meditation and less and less distracted by thoughts
before one would be able to attain an early stage of samadhi. Supposedly, as
one advances in one's meditation practice, these states become more advanced,
which means that one progresses through stages of feeling increased one
pointedness, bliss, rapture, equanimity, etc. Supposedly, as one progresses,
the state becomes more objectless and perception focuses more on infinite
space. As has been said, these states can't really be described.
For most spiritual aspirants on a path it normally takes
several years before one is able to attain samadhi, if at all. However, many
people - including some on this list - have experienced some form kind of a
samadhi-like state without doing any kind of practice. lt is beyond me to
compare the different types of states or why this happens. l can say that in
the context of following a specific spiritual path, the idea is to be able to
experience these states voluntarily, with control and at will -- and more
importantly, to use these states as a vehicle to become liberated from the
egoic traits of anger, greed, hatred, fear, etc. The purification of
consciousness -- transformation -- is the ultimate goal, with these states
as a mere vehicle.
Hope this helps,
jerry
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