182. Samādhi - a journey towards the unmanifest!

The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, specifically 1:44 and 1:45, provide profound insights into the progression of samādhi—the practice of deep meditative absorption. These sūtras describe a journey that mirrors the evolution of our practice, moving from gross, external focus to subtle, internal awareness.

Yoga Sūtra 1.44 states:
सूक्ष्मविषयत्वं चालिङ्गपर्यवसानम्।
Sūkṣma-viṣayatvaṁ cāliṅga-paryavasānam.
"The subtle objects of concentration culminate in the unmanifest (Prakṛti)."

This verse suggests that the practice of samādhi evolves from focusing on gross, tangible objects (sthūla) to the subtlest phenomena. In modern yoga practice, this journey often begins with large, physical movements in āsana, designed to connect us with our bodies and release pent-up energy. Once the body is steadier, the practitioner transitions to subtler practices like prāṇāyāma, where awareness shifts to the breath, the vital life force (prāṇa). With practice, the movement ceases, and the stillness of meditation opens the door to even subtler realms of concentration.

Yoga Sūtra 1.45 continues:
सूक्ष्मविषयत्वं चालिङ्गपर्यवसानम्।
Sūkṣma-viṣayatvaṁ cāliṅga-paryavasānam.
"Subtle objects are further refined until the concentration reaches the unmanifest."

Here, Patañjali elaborates that the culmination of this subtle focus is the unmanifest (aliṅga), which, in Sāṅkhya philosophy, refers to the primal source of all creation, Prakṛti. The unmanifest is beyond form or differentiation, representing the foundational potential of all existence.

This progression mirrors the cosmological framework of Sāṅkhya philosophy, which forms the basis of the Yoga Sūtras. Sāṅkhya posits that all existence arises from the interplay of two fundamental realities: Puruṣa (pure consciousness, the observer) and Prakṛti (the material world, ever-changing). Within Prakṛti, creation unfolds through increasingly tangible forms, from the subtlest elements (tanmātras) to gross matter (mahābhūtas). The practice of samādhi follows this reverse trajectory, leading us back through layers of subtlety to the source of all manifestation.

Through samādhi, practitioners learn to refine their awareness, peeling back the layers of perception. From gross physical objects to the subtlest aspects of existence, this meditative absorption allows us to "see" deeply, revealing the interconnectedness of all things and ultimately leading to Puruṣa, the state of pure awareness. This process is a philosophical concept and an experiential journey, encouraging us to refine our perception and deepen our concentration continuously.

As modern practitioners, we may start with tangible practices like āsana and prāṇāyāma, but the Yoga Sūtras remind us of the infinite potential for inner exploration. By developing the ability to concentrate on increasingly subtle phenomena, we cultivate the wisdom to perceive the essence of both the external world and our inner being. This journey toward the unmanifest is the heart of samādhi and the ultimate purpose of yoga.