Psychology of Samadhi – Based on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras & 45 Years Personal Practice

Patanjali's extraordinary eight-step (ashtanga) method of meditation can lead you to the state of samadhi. His ancient teachings become much more accessible with the help of modern psychology and personal insights gained through decades of practice.

Psychology of Meditation playlist:    • Psychology of Samadhi – Based on Pata...  

0:00 Purpose of Yogic Meditation
7:48 Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

"I'd like to share with you some insights and observations from my practice of meditation over the past 45 years. I'll describe various techniques I've used and the experiences they produced. I'll also explain important spiritual teachings that helped me understand and grow from those experiences. And, I'll discuss some of the mistakes I've made, to save you the trouble of repeating them. I hope all this will help you deepen your own practice of meditation." – Swami Tadatmananda

For the rishis, the sages of ancient India, the practice of yoga and meditation was a crucial part of a process of spiritual growth that culminates in the realization of your true self, atma, the so-called inner divinity. This personal discovery is commonly called enlightenment, and it results in perfect contentment (ananda) and inner peace (shanti) that never fades away.

More than 1500 years ago, the great rishi Patanjali composed his famous Yoga Sutras, a Sanskrit text considered the source scripture and foundation for the practice of yogic meditation. Patanjali's text consists of just 196 sutras that describe an exceptionally powerful system of meditation.

The Yoga Sutras are highly analytical in nature. Detailed study can be extremely helpful for meditation teachers, but fortunately, it's not essential for practitioners. On the other hand, practitioners can benefit tremendously from the many brilliant insights found in the sutras, especially Patanjali's division of yogic practice into eight individual steps, eight angas or limbs.

Swami Tadatmananda is a traditionally-trained teacher of Advaita Vedanta, meditation, and Sanskrit. For more information, please see: https://www.arshabodha.org/