Samadhi is a state of deep meditative absorption in which the mind becomes fully focused and still, and the usual sense of separation between the meditator and the object of meditation fades. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali it is the eighth and final limb of yoga. In Buddhism, right concentration (samma samadhi) is the eighth factor of the Noble Eightfold Path.
Last updated: 10 November 2026
Reading time: about 8 minutes
How we wrote this article: this article was written by Saj Ali. It explains samadhi from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Buddhist suttas on Access to Insight, sets out the stages in a table, and links research on concentration meditation and meditative absorption to its sources.
Samadhi in brief
- Meaning. Complete meditative absorption, where the mind rests fully on one object.
- In yoga. The eighth limb of Patanjali’s eight-limbed path.
- In Buddhism. Right concentration, the eighth factor of the Eightfold Path.
- Path to it. Concentration (dharana) deepens into meditation (dhyana), then samadhi.
- Starting point. Daily single-point focus, such as on the breath.
Contents
- What Does Samadhi Mean?
- Samadhi in the Yoga Sutras
- The Stages of Samadhi
- Samadhi in Buddhism and the Jhanas
- Samadhi, Flow and Everyday Focus
- What Research Shows
- How to Build Concentration Towards Samadhi
- Common Experiences on the Way
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
- Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
- Sources
What Does Samadhi Mean?
Samadhi is a Sanskrit and Pali word often translated as concentration, absorption or composure. The word combines roots meaning “together” and “to place”, suggesting a mind that is collected and placed firmly on one point.
In samadhi, the restless movement of thought settles. Meditators describe a deep stillness, clarity and often joy, with the sense of “I am meditating on this” fading so that only the object of attention remains.
Samadhi is central to several traditions:
| Tradition | Role of samadhi |
|---|---|
| Classical yoga | The eighth and highest limb of Patanjali’s path |
| Theravada Buddhism | Right concentration, developed through the jhanas |
| Zen Buddhism | Deep absorption in zazen; linked with awakening (satori) |
| Hindu Vedanta | Direct realisation of the self (atman) |
| Sikhism | Sahaj samadhi, a natural, ongoing state of union with God |
Samadhi in the Yoga Sutras
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, compiled around 1,600 to 2,000 years ago, open by defining yoga as the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind (sutra 1.2). Samadhi is the state where that stillness is complete.
Patanjali sets out eight limbs of yoga (ashtanga):
- Yama: ethical restraints, such as non-harming and truthfulness
- Niyama: personal observances, such as contentment and self-study
- Asana: steady, comfortable posture
- Pranayama: breath regulation
- Pratyahara: withdrawing the senses
- Dharana: concentration on one point
- Dhyana: meditation, an unbroken flow of attention
- Samadhi: absorption
The last three limbs form a continuum. Dharana is holding attention on an object. When that attention flows without a break, it becomes dhyana. When the meditator and the object seem to merge and only the object shines forth, it becomes samadhi (sutras 3.1–3.3). Practising all three together on one object is called samyama (3.4).
The Stages of Samadhi
The Yoga Sutras and later commentaries describe samadhi in levels, from absorption with a supporting object to absorption without any object at all.
| Stage | Sanskrit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption with an object | Samprajnata or sabija (“with seed”) | The mind rests fully on an object, such as the breath, a sound or an image |
| With reasoning | Vitarka | Absorption in a physical object |
| With reflection | Vichara | Absorption in a subtle object or idea |
| With bliss | Ananda | Absorption marked by joy |
| With a sense of pure being | Asmita | Absorption in the simple sense of “I am” |
| Absorption without an object | Asamprajnata or nirbija (“seedless”) | All mental activity rests; pure awareness remains |
Later Vedanta teachers also use the terms savikalpa samadhi (with some distinction between knower and known) and nirvikalpa samadhi (no distinction at all). Sahaja samadhi is a natural state where this inner stillness continues during everyday life.
The term mahasamadhi (“great samadhi”) is used in Indian traditions for the conscious passing of an enlightened teacher.
Samadhi in Buddhism and the Jhanas
In Buddhism, right concentration (samma samadhi) is the eighth factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, alongside right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort and right mindfulness.
The Buddha defined right concentration as four levels of meditative absorption called jhanas (SN 45.8, Access to Insight):
| Jhana | Main qualities |
|---|---|
| First | Rapture and pleasure, with thought and evaluation still present |
| Second | Thought settles; rapture and pleasure born of concentration, with inner calm |
| Third | Rapture fades; equanimity, mindfulness and pleasure remain |
| Fourth | Pure equanimity and mindfulness, beyond pleasure and pain |
In Buddhism, samadhi is not the end goal on its own. A calm, concentrated mind supports insight (vipassana) into the nature of experience, which leads to liberation. Access to Insight’s guide to right concentration gathers the main teachings.
In Zen, deep absorption in seated meditation (zazen) is linked with sudden insight, or satori.
Samadhi, Flow and Everyday Focus
Many people get a small taste of absorption in daily life. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described flow as a state of complete absorption in an activity, where time seems to change and self-consciousness fades.
| Feature | Flow | Samadhi |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Fully on a task | Fully on a meditation object |
| Self-awareness | Reduced | Greatly reduced or absent |
| Context | Work, sport, art | Formal meditation |
| Feeling | Enjoyment, ease | Stillness, joy, peace |
| Aim | Performance and enjoyment | Spiritual insight and liberation |
Flow and samadhi are not the same, but both show how deep focus changes experience. Training concentration in meditation can also make focus easier at work and in creative tasks. See our guide to creativity.
What Research Shows
Researchers distinguish between focused attention meditation, which trains the mind to rest on one object, and open monitoring meditation, which trains broad, non-reactive awareness (Lutz et al., 2008). Samadhi practice falls mainly in the first group.
Key findings:
| Study | Finding |
|---|---|
| Lutz et al., 2008 | Focused attention meditation trains the brain networks used to hold and redirect attention |
| Hagerty et al., 2013 | In an experienced meditator, entering the jhanas was linked with changes in 11 brain regions, including activation of the reward system, matching reports of intense joy |
| Goyal et al., 2014 | A review of 47 trials found meditation programmes improved anxiety, depression and pain |
Deep states of absorption have mostly been studied in long-term meditators, so the research on samadhi itself comes from small groups of experienced practitioners.
How to Build Concentration Towards Samadhi
Traditional teachers say samadhi develops through steady practice over time rather than through effort to force it. These steps build the foundation:
- Choose one object. The breath at the nostrils is the most common. A mantra, a candle flame or a sound also work.
- Sit in a stable posture. Upright, relaxed and still. A cushion or chair is fine.
- Start short. Ten minutes a day is a good beginning. Increase slowly.
- Return gently. When the mind wanders, notice and return to the object without judging yourself. Each return is a repetition that builds concentration.
- Count the breath. Counting breaths from one to ten and starting again helps steady attention in the early stages.
- Support the practice. Ethical living, regular sleep and less distraction make concentration easier, which is why the yamas and niyamas come first in Patanjali’s path.
- Consider a retreat. Many people first experience deep absorption on silent retreats, where hours of daily practice let the mind settle.
Our meditation guide covers techniques in detail, and our comparison of meditation and mindfulness explains how the approaches differ.
Common Experiences on the Way
Meditation teachers describe several common experiences as concentration deepens:
| Experience | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Fewer, slower thoughts | Concentration is strengthening |
| Pleasant tingling or lightness | Early signs of rapture (piti) |
| Bright light or colours behind the eyes | Often called a nimitta in Buddhist practice, a sign of deepening focus |
| Sense of time changing | Absorption is increasing |
| Deep calm that lasts after the session | Benefits carrying into daily life |
Teachers generally advise noting these experiences without chasing them. Working with an experienced teacher is helpful for anyone practising intensively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is samadhi?
Samadhi is a state of deep meditative absorption in which the mind is completely focused and still, and the sense of separation between meditator and object fades.
What are the 8 limbs of yoga?
Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi, as set out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
What is the difference between dhyana and samadhi?
Dhyana is meditation, an unbroken flow of attention to an object. Samadhi is the deeper stage where the meditator seems to merge with the object and only the object remains.
What is nirvikalpa samadhi?
Nirvikalpa samadhi is absorption with no distinction between knower and known, described in Vedanta as the highest form of samadhi.
Is samadhi the same as the jhanas?
They are closely related. In Buddhism, right concentration (samma samadhi) is defined as the four jhanas, levels of meditative absorption.
What does mahasamadhi mean?
Mahasamadhi means ‘great samadhi’ and is used in Indian traditions for the conscious passing of an enlightened teacher.
Key Takeaways
- Samadhi is deep meditative absorption, where the mind rests fully on one object.
- In yoga, it is the eighth limb, reached as concentration deepens into meditation and then absorption.
- In Buddhism, right concentration is defined as the four jhanas.
- Focused attention meditation is the main training for samadhi.
- Short, regular practice and gentle returns to the object build the foundation.
Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
Use these pages alongside this one:
- Meditation – techniques for every level
- Meditation vs Mindfulness – how the approaches differ
- Inner Peace and Spiritual Growth – spiritual approaches to growth
- Hindu Scriptures and Self-Improvement – lessons from the Gita, Upanishads and Yoga Sutras
- Vedic Meditation – a mantra-based practice
- Creativity – using focus to create
- Meditation on TikTok – short guided practices and teachers
- Browse all self-help techniques – compare every method on Self Help Supermarket.
Sources
- Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras, sutras 1.2, 3.1–3.4 and book 1 on samadhi.
- Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.). Magga-vibhanga Sutta: An Analysis of the Path (SN 45.8). Access to Insight. https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn45/sn45.008.than.html
- Access to Insight. Samma samadhi: Right concentration. https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-samadhi/index.html
- Lutz, A., Slagter, H. A., Dunne, J. D., and Davidson, R. J. (2008). Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 12(4), 163–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2008.01.005
- Hagerty, M. R., Isaacs, J., Brasington, L., Shupe, L., Fetz, E. E., and Cramer, S. C. (2013). Case study of ecstatic meditation: fMRI and EEG evidence of self-stimulating a reward system. Neural Plasticity, 2013, 653572. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/653572
- Goyal, M., et al. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357–368. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018
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