What is Knowledge :- 10.2

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23/12/2017

Chapter 10: The Stages of Samadhi -2.

2.1
Intense awareness may look like no awareness at all. Hence, the absence of any kind of consciousness may look like a state of intense concentration of mind.
2.2
This is known as stabdha avastha, or the cessation of all activity of the mind. But cessation of activity need not necessarily be associated with a consciousness of that cessation of activity.
2.3
We are not conscious that we are not active in the state of sleep. We are not active in sleep, but we are not conscious that we are not active.
2.4
This is a very important demarcating point. The essential behind any worthwhile state of concentration of mind is the kind of awareness that is maintained.
2.5
Now we come to the point of the pre-eminent method prescribed by Patanjali, on which he does not expatiate too much, nor does he seem to enter into great detail about it, though this is the central point of his system of meditation.
2.6
Whatever be the object of our meditation, let it be this or that, this particular thing we call the object of our thought is a peculiar blend of three characteristics. This definition of the object of thought is the novel instruction of Sage Patanjali.
2.7
The three factors which contribute to make the object of thought what it is are to be understood carefully before one tries to concentrate or meditate upon that object.

To be continued ...
Swami Krishnananda

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