Nirvikalpa samādhi ( निर्विकल्प समाघि ), sometimes also spelled as ‘Nirbikalpa Samadhi’, is the highest state of samādhi, in which the aspirant realizes his/her total oneness with Brahma. It has been described as a state of absolute nothingness. One is said to be in a state of Nirvikalpa samadhi “when only the knowledge of unbroken reality remains, and the mind dissolves itself in the cosmic consciousness."

The realization

Attaining the state of “Nirvikalpa Samadhi” by the body and mind is believed to be culmination of all spiritual practices, particularly the yogic practices. The aspirant’s objective is to come face to face with the ultimate reality - through understanding his own Atman (the soul), which in Hindu and the Buddhist tradition is believed to be a part of the Brahma, the creator of the cosmos. This is endeavored to be achieved

All around the globe, practices of meditation and yoga, and relevant discussion and discourses, in various symposia and seminars, have always laid emphasis on ways and means of attaining Nirvikalpa Samadhi, and thereafter moving on a plane of self realization, and unification with the God. In order to practice and attain Nirvikalpa Samadhi, it is not necessary to become an ascetic and renounce the world. One can continue to practice and aspire to attain Nirvikalpa Samadhi, even while continuing to lead a normal social and economic life.

See also

• Religious ecstasy
• Nondualism
• Savikalpa
• Sahaja

Further reading

• The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, translated by Swami Nakhilananda
  Published: 1942 Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, New York)
• A Journey Within The Self: A Dairy of Yogic Experiences
  by Deepa Kodikal(Publisher: Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Mumbai)