Samadhi Stages: Progressive Concentration Building

Samadhi, the ultimate absorption of mind, is not a single state but a progression. Patanjali describes stages: savitarka (concentration with mental commentary), nirvitarka (concentration without commentary), and ultimately nirbija (seedless absorption). This progression is crucial for ADHD understanding. You cannot jump to effortless focus; the mind must first stabilize in the presence of distraction, then gradually internalize focus. For ADHD, this means celebrating each stage: noticing you had five minutes of focus yesterday is progress, not failure. Patanjali's map removes the myth of instant transformation and replaces it with realistic developmental stages. Each stage trains specific neural pathways. The ADHD journey mirrors this progression—from chaotic awareness to noticing distraction to sustaining attention. Understanding these stages prevents despair and clarifies what comes next in your practice.