Mahasamadhi

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Mahasamādhi (not to be confused with samadhi) in Indian religions is the state of consciously leaving one's body. A realised yogi(ni) who has attained the state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi, will when timely, consciously exit from the body. This is known as Mahasamadhi. This is not the same as physical death that happens for an unenlightened entity, person or animal. Mahasamadhi is also not to be equated with suicide. Advanced practitioners prepare for Mahasamadhi incrementally though their practice of samadhi: where they die in their sadhana practice or discipline in preparation for death.

Mahasamadhi occurs only once, i.e: when the realised practitioner or yogi finally decides to cast off their mortal frame their karma is extinguished.

A realised practitioner or yogi may enter into Mahasamadhi only if they have attained the nondual state of Nirbhikalpa Samadhi where duality of subject and object is resolved.

Each realised practitioner or yogi enters and prepares for Mahasamadhi in a unique fashion. Blackman (1997) furnishes a number of examples.

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[edit] References

Blackman, Sushila (Compiled and edited) (1997). Graceful Exits: How Great Beings Die: Death Stories Of Tibetan, Hindu & Zen Masters. New York, USA: Weatherhill, Inc. ISBN 0 8348 0391 7