The State of Samadhi
The mysteries of the universe are endless, and humans are the portal to everything that is impossible.
Looking at the trend we are setting, it gets easier to believe that humans can live for a long time without breathing. This, of course, requires training, similar to that performed by David Blaine and Aleix Vendrell.
That being said, lasting more than an hour without breathing requires more than physical exercises, it requires spiritual exercises.
As we enter the realm of yogis and mystics, we come across different explanations and approaches to living without air. The best teachings I’ve found on the topic come from Peter Marchand, a Belgium student of the renowned yogi, Harish Johari.
In his online video classes, Peter explains in detail how it is possible to live without breathing by following the practices of Ashtanga Yoga, as taught by the great Patanjali, in the original Yoga Sutras.
These practices require the practitioner to remain absolutely still, not only physically, but mentally as well. By withdrawing the senses and remaining in absolute stillness, all of the body’s functions are suspended and the organs stop functioning for a while. This means that the lungs stop breathing, the heart stops beating, and the brain stops sending signals. During this time, life is sustained by the most subtle of energies.
In this state, there is no movement, there is no perception, not even perception of ourselves. In this state there is nothing at all, only the finest, smallest, most imperceptible amount of consciousness. This is the most peaceful state. On this state we seize to exist, the “we” and the “I” blend into Oneness.
This is often referred to as the state of Samadhi, which in English translates to liberation. Some practitioners can only be in this state for just a few seconds. Other practitioners are said to last hours in this state and even days. Sometimes, those who reach this stage end up “leaving their body”. Some call this death, others call it transcendence, the final Samadhi, or ultimate liberation. Peter Marchand video classes are all free and available through his personal YouTube channel.
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