Samyama
Samyama(fromSanskritसंयम saṃ-yama—holding together, tying up, binding,[1]integration[2]) is the combined simultaneous practice ofDhāraṇā(concentration),Dhyāna(meditation) andSamādhi(union).
Description[edit]
Samyama is a tool to receive deeper knowledge of qualities of the object. It is a term summarizing the "catch-all" process of psychological absorption in the object of meditation.[3]For Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras,Pratyaharais the preceding stage to practicing and developing Samyama. See alsoAshtanga yoga.
Framework[edit]
Samyama, as Patanjali'sYoga Sutrasstates, engendersprajñā.Adi Yoga orMahasandhidiscusses the 'mūla prajñā' of "listening/studying, investigation/contemplation, realization/meditation" which are a transposition of thetriuneof Samyama. These are activated subconsciously innon-structured form(thus producing fragmented spontaneous Samyama-like effects) by any thinking activity or contemplative absorption (particularly theCatuskotiandKoan) and deep levels oftrance.Any kind ofintuitivethinking at its various stages of expression is strongly related to Samyama-like phenomena as well.[4]
Practice and structure[edit]
Samyama is practiced consistently by yogis of some yoga meditation systems and schools, from simple meditation alone to week-long meditation retreats or more. Described in theYoga Sutras of Patanjali,it comprises the three most mentally focusing "limbs" of Patanjali's Eight-limbed ( "Astanga" ) in hisYoga Sutras.A meditator who is successful in learning samyama vanquishes all cognitive obstacles/problems/troubles (Sanskrit:klesha). The Sutras then describe various psychic experiences Patanjali calls "powers," "successes," or "perfections" (Sanskrit:siddhi) that a yoga meditator may experience through theconduitof Samyama.[5]
Yoga Sutras[edit]
| Pada (Chapter) | English meaning | Sutras |
|---|---|---|
| Samadhi Pada | On being absorbed in spirit | 51 |
| Sadhana Pada | On being immersed in spirit | 55 |
| Vibhuti Pada | On supernatural abilities and gifts | 56 |
| Kaivalya Pada | On absolute freedom | 34 |
Samyama is defined in theYoga SutrasofPatanjaliverses 3.1 through 3.6 as follows where theSanskritinDevanagariandIASTwere sourced from Little[7]and the English fromIyengar(1993: pp. 178–183):[2]
देशबन्धश्चित्तस्य धारणा ॥ १॥
deśabandhaścittasya dhāraṇā.. 1..
Fi xing the consciousness on one point or region is concentration (dhāraṇā).
तत्र प्रत्ययैकतानता ध्यानम् ॥ २॥
tatra pratyayaikatānatā dhyānam.. 2..
A steady, continuous flow of attention directed towards the same point or region is meditation (dhyāna).
तद् एवार्थमात्रनिर्भासं स्वरूपशून्यम् इव समाधिः ॥ ३॥
tad evārthamātranirbhāsaṃ svarūpaśūnyam iva samādhiḥ.. 3..
When the object of meditation engulfs the meditator, appearing as the subject, self-awareness is lost. This is samādhi.
त्रयम् एकत्र संयमः ॥ ४॥
trayam ekatra saṃyamaḥ.. 4..
These three together [dhāraṇā, dhyāna and samādhi] constituteintegrationor saṃyama.
तज्जयात् प्रज्ञालोकः ॥ ५॥
tajjayāt prajñālokaḥ.. 5..
From mastery of saṃyama comes the light of awareness and insight.
तस्य भूमिषु विनियोगः ॥ ६॥
tasya bhūmiṣu viniyogaḥ.. 6..
Saṃyama may be applied in various spheres to derive its usefulness.
See also[edit]
- Beginner's mind
- Isha Yoga
- Insight
- Jnana yoga
- Dhāraṇā (concentration)
- Dhyāna (meditation)
- Samadhi
- Siddhi
References[edit]
- ^Sanskrit-English Dictionary byMonier Monier-Williams,(c) 1899
- ^abIyengar, B.K.S.(1993).Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.Hammersmith, London, UK: Thorsons (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers).ISBN978-0-00-714516-4,pp.178-183.
- ^Sansonese, J. Nigro(1994).The Body of Myth: Mythology, Shamanic Trance, and the Sacred Geography of the Body.Inner Traditions.ISBN978-0-89281-409-1.Source:Google Books,p.26.
- ^"Experiences from Samyama".SwamiJ.
- ^Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms: Powers,Ramakrishnavivekananda.info
- ^Stiles, Mukunda (November 2001).Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: With Great Respect and Love.Weiser Books. p. x.ISBN978-1-5786-3201-5.
- ^Little, Alan (n.d.).The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.Source:Alanlittle.org(accessed: Wednesday March 17, 2010)
