Samadhi and Self Realisation Final State of Yoga

The eighth and final stage of Yoga is Samadhi. At this stage, one’s identity becomes both externally and internally immersed in meditation. The meditator, the act of meditation, and the object meditated upon, all the three shed their individual characteristics and merge with one single vision of the entire cosmos. Supreme happiness, free from pleasure, pain or misery, is experienced. Samadhi is the climax of Dhyana.

The group of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi is called ‘Samyama’ (the Internal Yoga) in the Science of Yoga. The first five stages-Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara-constitute the External Yoga. If all these eight stages are practiced and followed in life, virtues like morality, morally sound conduct and good character are developed in man. Besides, there is an all-round progress in human life, physically, intellectually and spiritually and man attains physical fitness and mental equanimity.

Thus, asanas are only one of the stages of Yoga. Most of the aspirants practicing Yoga practice, in fact, these asanas. However, all the eight stages of Yoga are of importance. The practice of all the stages together and Pranayama bring a good deal of permanent benefits.