Samadhi through Mantra
Question
Thank you for enlightening answers, and god bless you for your omen deeds.
As I understand Savikalpa Samdhi is meditation of forms on great lord, and you select an object of meditiation, as Advaita says the meditation of Ishwara(I mean supreme lord). While I do sandyavandhana I meditate on "Satyam Jnanam Anatham" tatva of gayari which I just do it concentrating on that aspects, so is this a right way. Or I should start meditating on form attribute of god and later on moving on formless.
Thank You,
Shriharsha
Answer
1. Savikalpa can start with meditation on the Lord with form, however it progress to formless meditation eventually. The final stage and real Savikalpa Samadhi called - 'Sasmita Savikalpa Samadhi' is always meditation on the formless. It is this meditation that finally makes the Yogi an Urdhvareta. Those who have the tendency and ability to start meditation on the formless can do so right from the start.
2. The meditation you describe can be used during the initial stages to get used to the concept of meditation and build a grip. However, one should meditate on the meaning of the Mantra and not merely on the words. (The meaning in the case of the mantra you have mentioned is The Lord himself is the all pervading truth, he is the only true knowledge and he is infinite, occupying all space)
3. As the aspirant becomes capable of meditating on this meaning which signifies the infinite Lord, the words get discarded and meditation on the formless starts automatically and eventually.
The meditator then visualizes with closed eyes, the infinite and empty universe (as objects themselves are unreal, being forms of energy and nothing else) as being filled by the infinite & formless Lord who is the only truth.
Next, he, being the formless Atman (and not the body, mind etc.) visualizes himself as no different from this formless infinity called the Almighty Lord who extends endlessly.
When the Yogi attains to proficiency in such meditation after many years of practice with unbroken Brahmacharya, he eventually passes into the final stage of Savikalpa Samadhi.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)