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sarvarthata all-pointedness, many-pointedness ekagratayoh one-pointedness ksaya decay udayau the rise cittasya of the consciousness samadhi spiritual absorption parinamah transformation The weakening of dissipated attention and the rise of one-pointed attention in the citta is the transformation towards samadhi. Consciousness wavers between multi-faceted and one-pointed attention. When one-pointed attention is established, multi-faceted attention disappears; when one-pointed attention fades, consciousness is scattered. Observing these alternations and learning to hold unwaveringly to single-pointed attention is the second phase of the transformation - samadhi parinama. Citta has two properties - dispersiveness (sarvarthata citta) and one-pointedness (ekagrata citta), with which it can direct its attention externally or internally. It can unite these two powers into one, to move towards spiritual absorption. Citta assumes the form of any object seen, observed or thought of. It can spread itself as much as it wishes to. When it spreads, it is multi-faceted; when it remains steadily focused, it is one-pointed. When it is scattered, distraction and restlessness sets in. This restlessness can be curbed, but nothing which exists can be destroyed; it can only be transformed, made to disappear or fade by thoughtful attention, enabling the stream of conscious restfulness to flow unwaveringly. In this manner, consciousness is influenced by its own action. It forms the habit of absorbing in a single thought, which prepares one for spiritual absorption. This type of attention, samadhi parinama, stabilises the state of restfulness. In nirodha parinama, the issuing of thought-waves is restrained and quietened. In samadhi parinama, the intervals between the emergence and the restraint of thoughts and vice versa are studied. From this study issues a stillness which leads to silence. One should know that stillness is rigidity and silence is passive and meditative. In the state of silence, the fragrance of the soul emerges as the centre of attention. This is ekagrata paririama. |
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