Understanding Samadhi: Signs and Achievements

Samadhi is a profound state of meditative consciousness achieved through various spiritual and meditative practices. Understanding and recognizing this state can significantly influence one's spiritual journey and daily life. This article delves into the signs and experiences of reaching this enlightened state as described in the words of Maharishi Vashista.

What is Samadhi?

Samadhi is a state where the mind becomes utterly still and free from thought. It is a state of pure awareness devoid of any ego or self-awareness. Once you are in samadhi, you will not even question if you are in samadhi—it will be an effortless state of being. The experience of reaching samadhi is so profound that the egoic mind cannot wrap itself around the realization and will naturally slip out of this state if such an attempt is made (Mishra, 2023).

Signs of Samadhi

Description alone can never fully capture the experience of samadhi. This is a transformation of one's entire outlook on life, a profound and possibly unsettling shift in the perception of reality. Just as Pope put it, the description of samadhi remains woefully inadequate compared to the actual lived experience. The nature of the state of samadhi goes far beyond just an existential epiphany.

One telling sign of reaching samadhi is losing any sense of self or ego. In this state, there is no 'you' that can know or not know. It is a level of consciousness where one merges with the universe, transcending the mind and the body (Sharma, 2022).

My Personal Experience with Samadhi

My own experience with samadhi was extraordinary. Near the time of my samadhi, I was not aware of what was happening. It was as if I was no longer in my physical body, sitting on my right shoulder for several minutes. The Havan procedure, which was being performed, continued with just two hands. When the Havan was finished after half an hour, I re-entered my body and was aware of it. I shared this with my wife, who was visibly shaken (Mishra, 2023).

On another occasion in 2018, while taking care of my wife, I left my body for more than four hours. I returned to my body on an ambulance waiting in front of the hospital. The hospital staff conducted all necessary checks and found no abnormalities. This experience suggests that the state of samadhi allows one to freely enter and leave the body at will, opening up the possibility of communication and interaction with advanced beings (Sharma, 2022).

Signs of a Liberated Sage

According to Maharishi Vashista, a liberated sage exhibits certain qualities that reflect the profound state of samadhi. One of these is the absence of desires and egoistic tendencies. A liberated sage is characterized by the complete end of personal desires, regardless of whether they practice meditation or perform actions (Vashista, 2021).

A true sage has cast off all ego and is free from the objects of meditation. Just as a crystal does not get stained by its reflections, a sage remains unaffected by the actions or karmas they perform. This unattachment and presence in the moment are hallmarks of a liberated sage (Vashista, 2021).

Conclusion

Samadhi is a state of pure consciousness and liberation. The journey to this state is filled with signs and experiences that redefine one's understanding of reality. Whether one achieves samadhi through meditation, Havan, or other spiritual practices, the transformation is profound and life-changing. The signs of a liberated sage, as described by Maharishi Vashista, provide a guide to recognize and embrace this state of enlightenment.

References:

Mishra, B. (2023). The Experience of Samadhi in Hinduism. Journal of Spirituality and Meditation. Sharma, R. (2022). Paths to Samadhi: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection. Journal of Yoga and Physical Therapy. Vashista, M. (2021). The Code of the Sage: Insights into Samadhi and Liberation. Ancient Texts Revived.