There are many ways to interpret Samadhi and many definitions available. This concept is open to interpretation. Each individual experience Samadhi in their own way. The universal energies are so vast and the interpretations are based on how each individual perceives it along with their stage of evolution. So, the conceptualization of this word from the ether and interpreting that into words may vary. None are wrong. Just each painter painting their own painting, in their own way.

Let’s take a look at the word Samadhi first. It’s a combination of “sama” meaning balance and “adhi” meaning half (as in two halves making one whole). This balance is the balance of mind and body. The first part of Yoga Sutras are all about bringing the body into alignment with the mind so both can operate together. Co-operate to co-exist harmoniously.

Duality

The world is filled with duality. This is where the “adhi” part comes into play. Ascension and spirituality speaks about balancing the feminine and masculine forces in the body, balancing dark and light and so on. Other examples of duality are Sun and Moon, left and right, night and day and manifest and unmanifest energy. All these are dual factors that are part of life.

Part of the spiritual journey is transcending these dualities, starting with the dark and light aspects of our inner world. They call it shadow work. Yogis call it Nirodha. Whoever thought bringing the mind to a calm state was a piece of cake did not really think it through. It’s tough work. Once over that stage, things become much easier to integrate.

Nirodha

Nirodha is when you recognize the vrittis or distractions for what they are. Your weak points, the shining lights of the material world that keeps you over occupied and those aspects that keeps you going down the rabbit hole. The alternate worlds you escape to because the current life is not what you would like it to be. Maybe you watch tv so you can watch realities that are different to yours. Maybe you daydream. Maybe those are addictions that you use as an escape mechanism. All factors that keeps you from examining your reality consciously so you can actually change it are vrittis.

Now that we were able to be honest and come out clean about the vrittis, let us take a look at what to do from there to reach Samadhi. Now that we know what keeps us from distracted, we must move away from all those. Any action that makes you feel guilty, sad, depressed, anxious and all of the other negative emotions…stop doing it. Seriously. Regrets are the worst. The torment they bring to humanity is worse than the fires of eternal hell. Not really…Just kidding. But let that sink in.

Healing

Now think about all the reasons why you would be doing those detrimental actions. Ask yourself why and how you started them. Find the root cause and heal those aspects of yourself. This is why spending time with yourself QUIETLY helps. Introspection is not usually done with the TV blasting Real Housewives of Atlanta while your roommate is yelling on the phone, while you play Candy Crush on your phone because of the sheer boredom of the existence you call life.

Take a walk outside, find a nice place under a tree and just think. You will be surprised at how the answers come when you ask yourself some serious questions. Life also brings you incidents and little signs to make you realize and think so you can out two and two together. It takes a while to heal so whatever comes up, feel it and release it with love and gratitude.

What Do I Want in Life?

While that plot is playing out, we must open another Pandora’s Box. The title is “What do I want from life?”. This is totally drowned in self-denial. Challenge me…I’m still waiting. Admit it…..You want the same things Kylie Jenner wants because she makes everything dysfunctional look so cool. Celebrities are there to DISTRACT you. Healthy, mentally well adults do not need to make themselves plump using plastic surgery because they know that they are good enough. It’s a culture of planting low self-esteem where it doesn’t belong. Normal women have normal bodies that doesn’t need to be perfect. Round is also a shape so is a square.

Getting back to Samadhi-fication…So, now that you don’t need to escape every time a painful memory or an emotions comes up that you would really love to heal but end up suppressing it because it’s just easier….we can focus on being present in the now moment or be conscious. Yes, that means not running away but accepting the current reality. That’s the first step. Then you take steps to change it over time. Have an action plan.

Loving yourself and self-worth are the topics of the day. Repeat after me…

Doing things for yourself is not selfish. Listening to your body is not selfish. Asking yourself how you feel is not selfish.

Paying attention to yourself helps to understand yourself and your needs. That builds a relationship between you and your mind, enabling you to bridge the gap between mind and body. Ultimately, the mind and body must work together to live the true purpose in life. If the mind is dictated by commercialism, ideas dictated by pop culture and thoughts dictated by lack mentality, there is no room for your true personality to come out. You are then living a life that someone else created for you. THIS is why people are unhappy.

True Joy

True joy is doing what you love, being aligned with the flow of life and accepting that everything happens for a reason. Yes…even accidentally meeting your ex at the supermarket while you are wearing your ugly track pants with no make up on while they come with their hot and current partner. Sucks to be you but look at the lesson there, learn it and move on. That’s how it works. Being in the flow is surrendering and allowing the events to unfold one by one.

Once you start acting on your true instincts and do things to please yourself because they bring you joy, then your confidence returns. You don’t need to escape, you are already creating a world where you enjoy. You don’t like your body? Find a fun work out routine. Over time you will find that you feel more confident, happy, you want to eat more healthy food, you enjoy shopping and you enjoy mingling with people. Now you don’t have to watch tv realities, you have your very own.

Getting There…

Now you will find that meditation is easier because you have created a more disciplined and structured life because of self love. Your brain is calmer and more receptive because gone are the days where you gave into your sensory desires on a whim! Now you LOVE getting up early in the morning to do yoga, followed by meditation before going to work because it makes you feel good.

Samadhi-fication

Samadhi is simply absorbing the outside world through senses of the body and then contemplating on how you relate to those external objects or concepts. How does your mind react to each? Oh don’t forget that the heart is the seat of the mind in Vedic Philosophy. Yes, not up in the head. Look below. Heart gives us emotional responses about how we truly feel about everything. Open up the heart and let the exploration begin!

When your mind and body are united, you have samadhi. It’s kind of like being very present in the now moment, being keenly aware of your surrounding, being aware of your thoughts, being in control of your thoughts, words and actions, being aware of the guidance from your heart and guides AND being one with the universe and its flow. Let that blow your mind!! Its like being on spiritual crack without side effects.

Slowing down the mind, controlling what comes through your 5 senses and questioning whether something is good for you or not are some important tips. There are many things to distract us but when we are aware, it’s a complete game changer.