Sananda samadhi

Sananda samadhi, also known as "supreme bliss", or "with ecstacy", is the third level of the four samadhis described in the Yoga Sutra 1:17 by Patanjali. Sananda: "sa" means “with”, "ananda" means joy, bliss.

Historical descriptions

In Sutra 1:17 Patanjali tells us that "samprajnata samadhi" comprises four stages: "Complete high consciousness (samprajnata samadhi) is that which is accompanied by vitarka (reasoning), vicara (reflection), "sananda" (ecstasy), and sasmita (a sense of 'I'-ness)." "Sananda" is free from vitarka and vicara.

This is joyous "samadhi" and it gives intense joy. In "sananda" the gross and the five element’s are given up. There arises in the Yogi a peculiar perception in the form of intense joy. In this state the mind continues to function, but knowledge of any particular object slowly fades away and the yogi becomes aware of the inner consciousness only. He experiences supreme bliss. In "sananda samadhi" the yogi experiences a state of rapture or ecstasy, and the only thought in the mind is the wordless awareness of the feeling of "I am in pleasure, I am happy."

Modern descriptions

According to Dr. Sarasvati Buhrman PhD, "Babaji once explained that when people feel blissful sensations during sadhana, on a gross level the breath is equal in both nostrils, and on the subtle level pranic flow in "ida" and "pingala" nadis is balanced. This is called the sushumna breath because the residual prana of the sushuma, the kundalini, flows in sushumna nadi, causing sattva guna to dominate. "It creates a feeling of peace. That peace is ananda." In "sananda samadhi" the experience of that ananda, that sattvic flow, is untainted by any other vrittis, or thoughts, save the awareness of the pleasure of receiving that bliss." [cite website | url= http://www.cit-sakti.com/kundalini/experiences-of-meditation2.htm | title= Experiences of Meditation II | author= "Sarasvati Buhrman, Ph.D" | publisher= "Cit-Sakti" | ISBN = 1579510388 | date= January 2000]

According to John C Lilly, "sananda" is the highest state of consciousness that can be experienced while staying in the body. In his book "Center of the Cyclone" he descibes sananda as, "blissful state, making the Christ, the green qutub, realization of baraka, the reception of divine grace, cosmic love, cosmic energy, heightened bodily awareness, highest function of bodily and planetside consciousness, being in love, being in a positive LSD energy state. In the 0th emotional center in the chest." [cite book | title= The Center of the Cyclone | author = "John C. Lilly" | date= 1972]

Notes

References

* Sri Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras ISBN 0932040381
* Taimni, I.K. The Science of Yoga. Theosophical Publishing Trust, Chennai, India, 1999. ISBN 8170592119
* http://www.dlshq.org/discourse/feb2005.htm