Samadhi

Samadhi is the eighth and final limb - the state of complete absorption where the distinction between meditator, act of meditation, and object of meditation dissolves. The mind becomes so absorbed in the object that it takes on the form of that object alone.

Patanjali describes progressive levels of samadhi. Samprajnata samadhi (cognitive) maintains some object of focus and includes four stages based on the subtlety of the object. Asamprajnata samadhi (non-cognitive) is objectless - pure awareness without content. Beyond these lies nirbija samadhi (seedless) where even the deepest impressions are burned away.

Samadhi is not a permanent state but an experience that transforms the practitioner. Repeated samadhi progressively purifies the chitta until the yogi abides in their true nature (kaivalya). The journey to stable samadhi typically takes many years of dedicated practice.