I’ve been dabbling in quantum physics lately, and although I’ve read a pinky-nails-worth of information, what I’ve learned so far has been easy to understand because it relates directly to experiences I have had (and continue to have).
I’ve found that Samadhi, the 8th limb of yoga, relates to a specific concept in quantum physics. The 8th limb is the final destination or highest point that a practitioner can reach in their meditation. This is when the yogi experiences a one-pointed focus on the merging of the individual soul with the universal soul. It’s the ultimate experience of oneness.
I can only speak from my own experiences, and the best way I can describe it, is that you feel the infinite and a strong sense of belonging. I think we all are in search of belonging somewhere in the world, whether it be with friends, co-workers, family… we’re all in search of being a part of something bigger than ourselves; and when I experience Samadhi, I feel a part of the most beautiful, radiant, pure, and holy thing.
How does this relate to quantum physics?
So in quantum physics they have complementary pairs (or observables), and they are basically properties which cannot be observed or measured simultaneously. One of these pairs is energy and time. You’re energy ceases to exist when you’re focusing on time. From my understanding, it seems as though you can’t tap into energy when you’re ruminating on past events or worrying about possibilities in the future. Past and future don’t exist, therefore there is no energy to be measured there.
IF you focus your attention on the present moment, which is abundant with an unlimited source of energy, you can experience the infinite. Time stops when you focus on energy, and focusing on energy is basically focusing on anything around you. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it just is; and it is the foundation for everything that is around you.
So, for me, this is a scientific explanation for Samadhi. Samadhi is that one-pointed focus on the merging of your soul and the soul of the infinite (and infinite can be given the name god, source, spirit, the universe, etc.). From my own experience, I believe that we can tap into Samadhi any time we decide to meditate on the One or the present moment. I believe that the One and the present moment are the same thing because the One is in everything.
The only thing that separates us from the One is time, which is man-made. Time pulls our minds in all sorts of directions, but grounding ourselves in the moment can bring about the experience of the infinite. We always were and we always will be.