To experience Samadhi, true absorption, even once in this lifetime is something I hold in deep gratitude. And to discover, sometimes unexpectedly, the many ways and means into that dimension has shaped not just my practice, but my life.

As a practitioner, I’ve always been a doer. If you’ve attended my classes or listened to my talks, you’ll know that I often stumble upon an experience first — a spontaneous sensation or shift and only later come to realise there’s a structured discipline behind it.

In time, I’ve grown to recognise four powerful approaches that can open the door to Samadhi. They may appear unrelated at first glance, but upon deeper reflection, these methods are beautifully interconnected. And though there are many traditions and techniques out there, ultimately they all aim toward the same truth — the same end point.

1. Hatha Yoga: Overcoming Inertia Through the Body

This is perhaps the most physical path — the intense and potent work of clearing the body’s inertia. For many of us, the body is the original barrier to deeper experience. The senses keep us outwardly bound, blocking the purity that lies just beneath the surface.

Hatha Yoga begins with the body — not to perfect it, but to dissolve the barriers that prevent the free flow of energy. The practices are designed to purify and balance the nadis, the subtle channels through which life force moves. In particular, attention is given to the Pingala nadi on the right side of the body — associated with solar, active energy (ha) — and the Ida nadi on the left, linked to lunar, receptive energy (tha).

In fact, the word Hatha itself symbolically unites these two forces: ha (sun) and tha (moon). The entire path of Hatha Yoga is about bringing these energies into harmony, so that the central channel — Sushumna — may open and higher states of awareness can unfold.

The ultimate aim is to awaken the Sushumna Nadi and to raise Kundalini energy to the brain. But let’s not romanticise it — Hatha Yoga is hard work. For most of us, it takes years of dedicated practice. Even those who come into this life with awakened spiritual potential are not exempt from the task of removing bodily resistance.

Yet, the rewards are immense. Among all methods, Hatha Yoga may be the most powerful, but it must be approached with care — ideally under the guidance of a knowledgeable teacher.

2. Laya Yoga: Dissolving into Sound and Vibration

Long before form, before thought, before time itself, two forces were present: sound and vibration. These are the roots of Laya Yoga — the yoga of dissolution. I have talked about this concept extensively in the past. Please watch this video for more appreciation of the laya method.

Laya practice involves attuning to subtle inner sound (Nada) and sensation (spanda). During deep meditation, all other experiences may fall away, leaving only these two elements vibrating at the core of our being.

My first Samadhi came through listening to Nada. I’ve also experienced absorption by concentrating on the subtle energy in the hands and fingers. Remaining utterly still — not reacting to itches or fidgets — until the sensory distractions give way to deeper awareness. When we rest fully in this vibratory field, the mind dissolves, and the subtle body takes over.

3. Mantra Yoga: The Bridge Between Breath and Mind

Mantra might seem like a separate practice from the other paths, but in truth, it’s intimately flows with them. It harnesses the power of sound — our own voice, vibration, and inner rhythm — and brings it into union with the breath and the mind.

Whether chanted aloud or repeated silently, mantra becomes especially powerful when synchronised with the breath. Without this alignment, the practice can feel dry or mechanical. But when breath and mantra merge into a single, rhythmic flow, something subtle shifts — the mind begins to quieten, and a deeper state of awareness emerges.

This calming effect isn’t just psychological — it has a direct physiological basis. Chanting activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest, repair, and relaxation. One reason for this is the engagement of the tongue and vocal cords, which are connected to the vagus nerve, a major pathway linking the brain to the body’s internal organs. When stimulated through sound and vibration, particularly in slow and mindful repetition, the vagus nerve signals the body to slow down, lowering heart rate, reducing stress hormones, and inviting a profound sense of stillness.

In this way, mantra becomes not only a spiritual tool but also a powerful means of regulating the nervous system and returning the body to a state of balance.

Two mantras I’ve worked with extensively are Soham and Om. With Soham, the breath itself becomes the mantra — “So” on the inhalation, “Ham” on the exhalation — like riding a wave into stillness. Om, on the other hand, is a vibration I chant softly, almost inaudibly, letting it resonate deep within the skull and chest. When tuned just right, this sound draws the awareness inward and absorbs the mind into silence.

I can personally attest to the power of Om to lead into Samadhi. In fact, it was a year ago, on Easter Sunday, that Samadhi came to me after chanting Om. I’ve experienced this countless times since, following a simple but profound sequence: chanting Om 108 times, then lying in stillness in Savasana. The energy becomes so refined, so inward-turning, that it naturally draws you into the source. This class is particularly important as it is that day it happened.

Soham has also appeared in some of my deepest meditations — spontaneously emerging during Samadhi. It is one of two mantras I received inwardly from a divine being — a deva — as tools to dissolve fear and attachment.

There’s also a technique in Hatha Yoga that echoes this principle: Bhramari Pranayama, the humming bee breath. By closing the ears and producing a soft internal hum, the sound is sealed within the body, allowing it to reverberate through the system. This, too, can lead to absorption — and in some cases, even more directly than external chanting.

4. Raja Yoga: The Art of Moderation and Inner Sovereignty

If Hatha Yoga is the most demanding physically, then Raja Yoga is the most challenging spiritually. It’s about how we live — our values, attitudes, and self-mastery.

At its heart, Raja Yoga teaches moderation of the senses. Not as repression, but as intelligent conservation of life-force. When we overindulge, particularly in sensual pleasures, we exhaust the energy reserves that could be harnessed for higher consciousness.

Among the ethical foundations of Raja Yoga, Brahmacharya stands out as vital. In a broader sense, it means conserving and refining our energy — not just sexually, but in our food choices, speech, and daily activities.

True Brahmacharya isn’t about suppression — it’s about rechanneling. When this energy is preserved and internalised, it transforms into Nada, into subtle vibration, into fuel for spiritual growth. The ancient yogic technique Vajroli Mudra points to this, though I believe its real meaning lies not in gross practices, but in the redirection of attention toward higher aims.

For me, having creative outlets like photography and film helped. But more importantly, I had a goal — spiritual awakening. And when your goal is clear, worldly desires tend to fall away on their own.

The Interconnectedness of All Paths

• Hatha Yoga to cleanse and prepare the body
• Laya Yoga to dissolve the senses into sound and vibration
• Mantra Yoga to harness breath and mind through sacred sound
• Raja Yoga to live with discipline and conserve our vital energy

Each can stand alone, but they all point in the same direction. And often, they overlap in surprising ways.

Other paths exist, of course — the contemplative way of Jnana Yoga, or the devotional surrender of Bhakti Yoga. I’ve met people who experienced Samadhi through pure devotion, without knowing a single yoga technique. Even the glance of a master’s eye can trigger awakening, if the seeker is ready.

Ultimately, it’s not about which path you choose, but how fully you walk it. And sometimes, life itself will nudge you towards the one you need most.

Thank you for being here. May your practice lead you home.

In grace,
Fyodor Vidal

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