Savikalpa Samadhi is a significant concept in the realm of Yoga and Vedantic philosophy, representing a state of meditative absorption where the practitioner experiences oneness with the object of meditation, yet retains dualistic perceptions and the awareness of personal identity. This state is considered an intermediate, yet profound, level of consciousness that precedes the ultimate state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi, where all distinctions dissolve. In Savikalpa Samadhi, the meditator's mind is still active to some degree, and there exists a subtle awareness of the separation between the observer and the observed. This distinction is crucial for understanding the gradational nature of spiritual experiences in yogic traditions.
In this state, the meditator achieves a significant level of inner peace and insight, but since the sense of individual existence remains, it is not the final goal in spiritual practice. The experiences within Savikalpa can vary widely but typically involve intense contemplative insights into the nature of existence, where the meditator may receive vivid visions or deep understanding of spiritual truths. Despite these extraordinary experiences, the presence of Vikalpas, or conceptualization, means that the meditator has not yet transcended the mind's inherent tendency to label and interpret sensory experiences.
The process of reaching Savikalpa Samadhi involves rigorous discipline and practice. As outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, practitioners must first master earlier stages of concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana) to stabilize the mind and emotions. Only then can one access deeper states such as Savikalpa. This stage is often facilitated by practices like mantra repetition, breath control (Pranayama), and intense focus on a chosen deity or concept, which help in maintaining the continuity of consciousness without external distraction.
Achieving and transcending Savikalpa Samadhi is pivotal for spiritual aspirants because it serves as a bridge to the more advanced state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi, where the duality of subject and object finally dissolves. Here, the meditator no longer makes any mental distinctions or retains personal ego; it is a state of complete absorption into the divine or universal consciousness. The journey through Savikalpa is thus a crucial phase of inner refinement, leading the practitioner towards the ultimate freedom or Moksha, characterized by permanent liberation from all forms of mental and emotional turbulence.