Tag Yoga Sutra 1.18

Yoga Explains Advaita,Visitadvaita Dwaita

Based on the basic definition of Yoga that 'Yoga is cessation of the Modification of Chththa,there are two levels of Samadhi.

One where one goes beyond the Objects and the impressions of them(Samprajnata samadhi) and one where the Objects disappear and only the impressions remain(asamprajnata or non-distinguished) asamprajnata or non-distinguished .

Asamprajnata or non-distinguished Samadhi is reached by Dhyana, while Ssamprajnata or distinguished Samadhi is reached by Dharana' ahigher of Contemplation of which Patanjali will speak later.

The process is scientific.

In our daily Life, we have too many objects assail our senses.

We chose a particular Object to focus and stay focused on.

This, the Modern Psychology describes as 'Span of Attention'

In this way we concentrate on one object to get information.

From a myriad of objects, to in the effort to attain the level of removing all impressions, one must first reduce the number of objects being focused.

The Nature of Mind is to run after many objects at the same time.

In Hinduism , to bring the Mind under control, many Gods are worshiped, with name and Form-initial stage.(Pluralism)

Then monotheism or the fixing of Mind on one God, with Name and Form is practiced.

This level is elevated into cessation of all modifications of Chitha by contemplating on the Non Duality of Reality(Advaita)

This is the reason why Hinduism has Gods, that too many.

For more information please read my post 'God has Names and Forms. Yes and No"

At Yoga Beyond Yoga Sutra 1.18

In Yoga Sutra 1.17,Patanjali explained the various types/stages of Yoga,

Savitarka Samadhi,

Savichara Samadhi,

Ananda Samadhi and

Saasmita Samadhi.

These four belong to Sampraagya or the state attained by being with the Consciousness.

Now Patanjali explains that the real Yoga does not stop here.

A Yogi after attaining the Consciousness identification, reaches a stage where he should be able to transcend that stage ,be with the world and yet be with the Consciousness.

This stage is what is described as Asampragyada Samadhi.

This is the stage where the practitioner of Yoga, though he has attained the Sampragya samadhi, returns back, as it were, to the day-to-day World and keeps himself engaged in daily activities, yet remaining one with the Supreme.

This is what Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita while discoursing on the Karma, Gnana, and Bhakti Yoga.

On karma Yoga, Krishna explains that when one performs Duty as it has to be performed with out attachment to the fruits thereof, he attains Brahma Nirvana.