Chapter 3
Samadhi
Day 18
This goes more into an esoteric line. Samadhi does not belong to just a particular level of
existence. It surpasses that level, too. It goes into other world also. People who do not have a
body can be affected by the meditation, too.
When you meditate you are not just bringing
harmony within yourself but you are influencing the subtle levels of creation and the subtle
bodies at all the different levels of existence in the creation. So, your meditation influences
those people who lived hundreds of years ago - their consciousness and their minds.
It
influences the minds and consciousness of people who would be living in the future, too.
Though, life is there in every moment, it is also infinite. Your life has been here from centuries
and will continue to be here for centuries more.
There are different types of yogis. One is called वदेह, means one who does not have a body. You
can go on feeling as though you have no body, and the mind will be in a high state of equanimity.
And those who do not have a body also come within the influence and effect of Yoga.
It is the
same with कृतलय । कृतलय means those who are completely submerged in nature. They also
attain same state of equanimity. They are so away from material existence that they are not
even aware of it. Videha is complete unawareness of the body and surroundings. Your eyes are
closed and you are totally immersed. Then, too are you in samadhi, in a state of meditation.
When you are looking at a mountain or at a sunset, Prakritilaya is taking place in you. You are
merging with nature at that moment.
You are looking at the sunset. The sun is setting. You are there along with the sun and the vision
that you are having about it. And then in a while you are not aware of yourself. You are just
aware of Sun. When you are watching a mountain, sometimes you forget yourself. You have no
awareness of your thoughts, mind I body. No awareness at all. This is कृतलय समाध ।
However, when this happens, your mind suddenly pops up with the thought that you are being
stupid just staring away at water. You think that you should better use your time and do
something else. You may think of somebody or something. Then you are not dissolving in
nature.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji
PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS