Samadhi is a state of deep meditation, and the aspirant forgets about the point at which he is meditating. The sense of oneness can be found in samadhi. When there is no fluctuation of any kind in mind (thought waves, feelings, awareness), then only one can achieve the state of samadhi. It has been mentioned in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism etc., with different names. Still, all conclude that it will give liberation from this world without leaving the body. Ayurveda, a health science or science of life, mentions samadhi and its utility for preventing and treating mental disorders (manasa vyadhi). Samadhi is more elaborately explained in the Yogic texts. Gheranda Samhita says samadhi means separating mind from the body and uniting it with the Paramatma (ultimate self).[1] According to Hathratnavali, the state of samadhi can be attained when the mind becomes motionless due to deep concentration. However, the description of samadhi for psychological disorders in Ayurveda texts appears to be in a therapeutically applicable form. To attain the samadhi, as mentioned in Yoga Shastra may not be easy for psychiatric patients with severely afflicted minds. In these conditions, as part of sattvavajaya chikitsa, samadhi may be implied to improve mental strength and prevent progression of mental disorders. Dhyana is the preceding stage of samadhi. This article describes the concepts and practices of samadhi with therapeutic utility.
| Section/Chapter | Concepts/Samadhi |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Bhojani M. K. 1, Singh Preeti2 Jain Rahul 1 |
| Reviewer | Basisht G.3, |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.4 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2Department of Swasthavritta, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 3 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 4 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India |
| Correspondence emails |
meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
| Date of publication: | February 14, 2022 |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2023.e01.s09.128 |
Etymology
The word samadhi can be spilt into three parts- Sama (together) + Aa (towards) + Dha (to hold).
Thus, the word samadhi means to hold or to get towards togetherness. It can also be broken down as sama (equal/ equilibrium) + dhi (intellect/ to perceive), a state in which our mind or intellect is in balance. The meaning of samadhi from all the definitions lead to the fact that samadhi is a state of meditation when the meditator and the object of meditation becomes the one.
Synonyms of samadhi[2]
| Raja Yoga | Amanaskam |
| Unmani | Advaita |
| Manomani | Nirlamba |
| Amaratva | Niranjana |
| Laya | Jivanmukti |
| Sahaja Tattwa | Sahajaa |
| Shoonyashoonya | Turya |
| Parampad |