Difference between Samapattis and Samadhi

“Samapattis” and “Samadhi” are essential terms in yoga philosophy, particularly in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. While they both relate to states of absorption and consciousness, they have distinct characteristics and implications.

Let’s explore the differences in detail and use an analogy to clarify:

1. Samapattis (Enstasis or Attainment):

“Samapattis” are stages of meditative absorption where the mind is fully absorbed into an object, idea, or state. They are different levels of concentration that progressively deepen and refine one’s focus during the meditative journey.

• Types of Samapattis:
  • Savitarka Samapatti: Concentration with subtle thought. The mind is absorbed in an object, accompanied by conceptualization or verbalization related to the object.
  • Savichara Samapatti: Concentration without subtle thought. The mind is absorbed in the object, but the conceptualization or verbalization ceases, leaving a more refined level of absorption.
  • Sananda Samapatti: Concentration with bliss. The mind is absorbed in the object, and there’s a sense of bliss or joy associated with the absorption.
  • Sasmita Samapatti: Concentration with ‘I’-ness. The mind is absorbed in the object, and there’s a sense of individuality or ‘I’-ness associated with the absorption.
• Nature of Samapattis:
  • They involve intense concentration and focus on a specific object, idea, or state.
  • Samapattis may still retain a subtle aspect of thought, bliss, or ‘I’-ness, depending on the specific type.

2. Samadhi (Union or Absorption):

“Samadhi” is a state of meditative absorption where the meditator achieves oneness, integration, or union with the object of focus. It represents a state of deep, undistracted, and unified consciousness.

• Types of Samadhi:
  • Samprajnata Samadhi: Samadhi with an object or seed. The meditator is absorbed in an object, concept, or state.
  • Asamprajnata Samadhi: Samadhi without an object or seed. The meditator transcends the object and achieves pure awareness.
• Nature of Samadhi:
  • Samadhi involves a profound state of absorption where the boundaries between the meditator, the process of meditation, and the object of meditation dissolve.
  • In Asamprajnata Samadhi, there is complete transcendence, and the mind is free from any objects or thoughts, leading to pure awareness and unity.

Analogy:

• Samapattis can be likened to different settings of a camera lens. When you adjust the lens, you are focusing on a specific point or object, and you can change the depth and clarity of that focus. Each setting represents a different level of concentration and absorption.
• Samadhi, on the other hand, is like capturing a perfect photograph. In that moment of capturing, the lens doesn’t matter—the focus, the aperture, and the shutter speed come together to create a unified, beautiful image. It’s the state of perfect absorption, oneness, and integration.

In summary, Samapattis are the various stages of focused absorption, while Samadhi is the ultimate state of unified and undistracted absorption.