The effects of Samyama meditation – an overview

Samyama is described as a level at which the opaque seeks to be made visible or transparent. In Sanskrit, Samyama is a technical term that summarizes three contemplative practices. Those who wish to follow the spiritual path can do so using various techniques: It always depends on how quickly you want to reach your goal. Read this article to learn why Samyama meditation is helpful and what benefits it brings.

What is Samyama?

First of all, we would like to explain the term samyama. According to tradition, the term samyama means "self-control, restraint, or restraint." In practice, it encompasses the combination ofdharana (concentration), samadhi (enlightenment), and dhyana (absorption)—these words were elaborated by Patanjali (the author of the Yoga Sutras) in the third chapter.

You can better imagine Samyama like this:

Generally speaking, this is a technique for focusing completely on a topic. Ideally, with a little practice, you'll be able to focus your thoughts on a specific point for longer and longer periods of time. This way, you'll also learn the difference between which thoughts are useful in your life and which aren't. Hatha yoga or Iyengar yoga (which is part of Hatha yoga; it's characterized by the fact that correct execution of the posture is paramount) on your mat can help you become even clearer and calmer. Even breathing also helps you go even deeper.

• Dharana (concentration) involves focusing your consciousness (your mind) on a specific event or point in your life. The mind calms down and relaxes. At the beginning, practical instructions can help you maintain focus more easily. You can focus on anything during this spiritual experience (on a deity, on pain, on a person in your life, etc.).
• Through this process you enter Dhyana . At first the focus is still on the breathing. For example, if you concentrate on a person, it is not about thinking about them with your mind. You simply direct your attention to them, you try to understand their inner being, to feel them and to establish a connection (= Dhyana) . Over time you perceive a feeling of oneness. You establish a deep relationship with the thing or object on which you previously focused your concentration. The goal of this stage is for you to become an objective observer. The heart and the head connect with each other. The body, the sense organs and the mind become calm.
• Samadhi is the next stage. This process is difficult to explain and requires personal experience. Devotion and the attainment of inner freedom play a significant role; we surrender ourselves completely to the object, to the person. We transcend the subtle sheath and merge with it. Furthermore, we can recognize a true being behind everything.

You can integrate the Samyama techniques into your daily life to more quickly access various insights and true nature. Many people have very profound experiences with them and learn to know and understand themselves and life from a new perspective – even their perception can change dramatically. Combined with valuable yoga asanas, it can lead to tremendous success and even greater mindfulness in everyday life.

Practical example for clarification: Pain and Samyama

To better explain the technique, the method and the effect, we would like to give you this example.

If you suffer from a specific pain in your body, such as a sore neck, headache, or backache, it's important to understand why this pain is there and what the purpose is. It's also important to find out how it can arise. Typically, it's related to various life circumstances (lack of exercise, unhealthy eating, too little time outdoors, too few moments of silence, etc.). Therefore, there's a wide range of options available to you to bring about change in your life.

There's also the option of trying Samyama. Here, you concentrate 100% on the pain. You go really deep and accept it, just as it is. You breathe into it, feel it, and perceive it. At a certain point, it feels as if you are one with the pain. In the best case scenario, during Samyama Integral Yoga meditation on your cushion, you may even gain a basic understanding of the meaning of this pain. Furthermore, you can achieve pure presence during meditation.

Patanjali and the eight-limbed path of yoga

Patanjali created the eight-limbed path of yoga; this fact helps you better understand its origin and meaning.

This is divided into three parts:

• Yama (the five ethical commandments)
• Niyamas (these summarize five personal rules for how to treat oneself; these include asanas, pratyahara, pranayamas, etc.). Yoga exercises help to stimulate or maintain the flow of energy—the energy channels are thereby opened; breathing exercises (pranayama) help prepare the body for pratyahara, dhyana, and dharana. Pratyahara is considered "withdrawal of the senses"—you no longer concentrate on memories or the mind.)
• Samyama (If the previous processes have all been completed successfully, you reach Samyama)

Step by step: Make your way forward slowly

Thanks to the information presented in this article, you have gained a good overview of what you can achieve with spiritual Samyama. It's important that you begin slowly and very consciously. Over time, the individual steps will become easier for you. If you find it difficult, you should look for a suitable online offering that describes the individual steps in more detail. Intensive courses can help you delve deeper into the subject and experience the state relatively quickly. Of course, the experience will be as intense as is right for you at the time.

Have you already had experience with Samyama? If so, how did it go for you, and what perspectives have you been able to change as a result?