Different types of yogis

Chapter 3

Samadhi

Day 18

" भवययो वदेहकृतलयानाम्" 

This goes more into an esoteric line. Samadhi does not belong to just a particular level of existence. It surpasses that level, too. It goes into other world also. People who do not have a body can be affected by the meditation, too. 

When you meditate you are not just bringing harmony within yourself but you are influencing the subtle levels of creation and the subtle bodies at all the different levels of existence in the creation. So, your meditation influences those people who lived hundreds of years ago - their consciousness and their minds. 

It influences the minds and consciousness of people who would be living in the future, too. Though, life is there in every moment, it is also infinite. Your life has been here from centuries and will continue to be here for centuries more. 

There are different types of yogis. One is called वदेह, means one who does not have a body. You can go on feeling as though you have no body, and the mind will be in a high state of equanimity. And those who do not have a body also come within the influence and effect of Yoga. 

It is the same with कृतलय । कृतलय means those who are completely submerged in nature. They also attain same state of equanimity. They are so away from material existence that they are not even aware of it. Videha is complete unawareness of the body and surroundings. Your eyes are closed and you are totally immersed. Then, too are you in samadhi, in a state of meditation. When you are looking at a mountain or at a sunset, Prakritilaya is taking place in you. You are merging with nature at that moment. You are looking at the sunset. The sun is setting. You are there along with the sun and the vision that you are having about it. And then in a while you are not aware of yourself. You are just aware of Sun. When you are watching a mountain, sometimes you forget yourself. You have no awareness of your thoughts, mind I body. No awareness at all. This is कृतलय समाध । However, when this happens, your mind suddenly pops up with the thought that you are being stupid just staring away at water. You think that you should better use your time and do something else. You may think of somebody or something. Then you are not dissolving in nature.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS