What is Knowledge :- 10.10

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26/02/2018
10.The Stages of Samadhi- 10.

10.1
We are told later on that this externality is nothing but the placement of a thing in space and time. Anything that is in space or in time is externally related, and it is impossible to free anything from this involvement in externality as long as it is thought to exist in space and time.

So, a further step is taken by Patanjali’s instruction when he says that a stage has to come in our meditation when it must be possible for us to contemplate the object not necessarily as placed in space and time, but independent of space and time.

This is not something that is to be attempted by the force of will, because any pressure exerted by the will on the nature of the object of contemplation will not permit the freedom of the object from the thought of involvement in space and time. We ourselves are in space and time. I think I am here, and I think you are there.

This idea of my being here and your being there is the idea of something being in space and time; and something being in space and time means something being external to the other. If something is external to the other, there cannot be internal relationship; there cannot be union, communion, fraternal feeling, or any kind of worthwhile, positive interaction.



10.2
Hence, when instruction is given by Patanjali in respect of the necessity to free the object as such from association with notions and definitions, at the same time he also intends to tell us that we have to find a way of contemplating a thing as not placed in space and time.

How is it possible? Is it possible to think anything as not placed in space and time? Is there anything in the world which is not in space and time? There is nothing. Then where comes the question of contemplating a thing independent of space and time?

While it is true that there is nothing which is not in space and time, and therefore it may appear that there is no way of thinking a thing independent of space and time, yet there is something above all these things.

To be continued ..

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