Samadhi in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra

1. Dhāraṇā ― In dhāraṇā, the mind learns to focus on a single object of thought. The object of focus is called a pratyaya. In dhāraṇā, the yogi learns to prevent other thoughts from intruding on focusing awareness on the pratyaya.
2. Dhyāna ― Over time and with practice, the yogin learns to sustain awareness of only the pratyaya, thereby dhāraṇā transforms into dhyāna. In dhyāna, the yogin comes to realize the triplicity of perceiver (the yogin), perceived (the pratyaya) and the act of perceiving. The new element added to the practice of dhyāna, that distinguish it from dhāraṇā is the yogi learns to minimize the perceiver element of this triplicity. In this fashion, dhyāna is the gradual minimization of the perceiver, or the fusion of the observer with the observed (the pratyaya).
3. Samādhi ― When the yogin can: (1) sustain focus on the pratyaya for an extended period of time, and (2) minimize their self-consciousness during the practice, then dhyāna transforms into samādhi. In this fashion, then, the yogin becomes fused with the pratyaya. Patanjali compares this to placing a transparent jewel on a coloured surface: the jewel takes on the colour of the surface. Similarly, in samādhi, the consciousness of the yogin fuses with the object of thought, the pratyaya. The pratyaya is like the coloured surface, and the yogin’s consciousness is like the transparent jewel.

source

Samadhi states can be variously understood and also are fundamental to successful Buddhist practice. We can learn a lot from the many ways these meditative states have been understood in the past and how they are understood today. I would like to emphasize that samadhi and jhana meditative states are eminently achievable and practical. In a deep sense they should be seen as ordinary, something everyone can do. They are fundamental to Buddhist practice and can be thought of as the culmination of the Noble Eightfold Path, the last element of which is Right Samadhi. Samadhi is both a deep internalization of non-sensory experience and a reformation of how we think and perceive. Samadhi both leads to and is a profound transformation of all mental, emotional, and physical tendencies. Basking often in samadhi or jhana states inclines the mind toward enlightenment. Samadhi is a core experiential aspect of Buddhist philosophy, without which Buddhist thought does not make much sense. ABN