February 2025 Week 3

This week I am going to try to progressively explain this months sutra - 1.17.

Sutra 1.17 states:
A gradual progression towards deep inner integration (samprajñata samadhi) develops through subtle refinement of attention from reasoning (vitarka), to contemplation (vichara), to joy (ananda) and then to the sense of being (asmita). This verse presents the process of moving towards deep integration which is samadhi.
Samadhi is: a state of intense concentration achieved through meditation. In Hindu yoga this is regarded as the final stage, at which union with the divine is reached (before or at death).
Unconditional bliss or cosmic concentration.

Ok so here is my 2nd attempt to explain Sutra 1.17: Concentration upon a single object may reach four stages: examination, discrimination, joyful peace, and simple awareness of individuality. Taken from – Swami Prabhavananda, Christopher Isherwood.
ANd a simpler definition of Samadhi: Unconditional bliss or cosmic concentration.

And the 3rd attempt……
The easiest way for me to understand this Sutra is it is referencing a state of complete bliss we can achieve where we are one with whatever higher source we believe in. Further to clarify, this is not meditation, although meditation is an avenue to achieve this state, but meditation takes effort and work. The Samadhi referred to in Sutra 1.17 is this unconditional joy, presence and mind clarity where everything is absolutely as it should be, we have no inner struggles and there is no effort - we just are in perfect peace.

This of course is an ideal to work towards, but I do believe this is attainable for all of us in very small increments. Have you ever stood looking at a sunrise, a sunset, a sleeping child, the ocean, the mountains or the moon and felt a deep in your soul feeling that - all is well? I think that is the closest I will come to achieving Samadhi and I will take it! This is an effortless moment that just happens and this is my simple interpretation of Sutra 1.17. One last thought though to add - even though this is a “non effort state”, it only comes to us if we are constantly working the previous Sutras of training our mind by practice, non attachment, creating new deep groove patterns - samskara’s, etc. I believe I am only able to appreciate those “all is well moments” if I am on the beam, on my spiritual path and doing the work. To me, it is worth it. And of course our intention - I Enjoy Spending Time With Myself - gives us the space to nourish our spiritual condition and open ourselves up for these unconditional bliss moments. Just amazing.

I am on Day 2 with my husband and dog on a road trip south and west across the country for the next 6 to 8 weeks. I am hoping to continue my daily spiritual practices so my mind is clear and open for small glimpses of Samadhi as we see the country.
I will continue my weekly classes with all of you and if I am somewhere I am unable to teach live I will record and share a mediation or class. You will get weekly classes no matter what and a dharma writing to help keep my mind and soul on track.