Samyama is a core concept in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which is a foundational text for classical yoga philosophy compiled around the 2nd century BCE. The term itself is derived from Sanskrit, encompassing three advanced yoga techniques: Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption). These practices are sequential stages representing the final three limbs of the eightfold path of Ashtanga Yoga. Samyama is essentially the process of gaining deep knowledge about a particular object or subject through the perfect discipline of these three techniques.
In the practice of Samyama, Dharana acts as the initial stage where the practitioner focuses their attention on a single_point without any interruption. Following Dharana is Dhyana, which involves the uninterrupted flow of cognitive thought toward this object. Finally, Samadhi is where the individual, the process of meditation, and the object of meditation merge into one. When these three stages are seamlessly integrated, they unlock a profound state of insightful knowledge known as Samyama. This state allows one to access and understand deeper layers of consciousness that are typically obscured by the fluctuations of the mind.
The practical applications of Samyama are vast, as reflected in various yogic texts. According to Patanjali, through the mastery of Samyama, yogis can acquire supernatural_abilities or Siddhis. These include knowledge of past and future events, understanding of the sounds made by all beings, and even physical feats such as becoming as light as cotton fiber. However, Patanjali cautions that such powers should be regarded as distractions from the ultimate goal of yoga, which is liberation (Kaivalya) from all suffering and the cycle of birth and rebirth (Samsara).
Despite these extraordinary claims, the primary aim of practicing Samyama is spiritual growth and enhanced self-awareness. It is a tool for deepening one's meditation practice, leading to greater peace, clarity, and insight into the nature of existence. Samyama is not merely a practice but a transformative experience that develops over time and with dedicated practice. It epitomizes the journey of yoga from the physical to the subtle, inviting practitioners to explore the innermost depths of their being and potentially realize the unity with the universal consciousness, often referred to as Brahman in Hindu philosophy.