The transformation of consciousness in Samādhi (II)

This chapter examines modern thinkers' perspectives on Yogic transformation of consciousness toward Samādhi. Edmund Husserl developed a technique resembling Yoga but abandoned it. Jean Piaget initially held a view of divine immanence and transcendence similar to Sāṁkhya-Yoga's Puruṣa, but later framed conscience as the manifestation of divine immanence and developed a theory of child moral development. Carl Jung, knowledgeable about Yoga and Indian spirituality, rejected Yoga, possibly fearing ego loss through Samādhi. Daniel Katz, a comparative mysticism scholar, denied the possibility of contentless pure consciousness that Yoga purportedly leads to.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to the discussion of some prominent modern thinkers, including psychologists whose work provides differing perspectives on the Yogic transformation of consciousness leading to Samādhi. The philosopher Edmund Husserl developed a technique that came close to that of Yoga, but in the end, he abandoned that project. Jean Piaget started with the idea that God is immanent in the universe and also transcendent in a way similar to the Sāṁkhya-Yoga view of the Puruṣa. But he soon abandoned the public expression of his view of immanence. He chose instead to a view that an individual’s conscience is the manifestation of the immanence of the Divine and developed a theory of moral development of the child. Carl Jung came to know a good bit about Yoga and Indian spirituality but chose to reject Yoga probably because of the fear of losing his ego through the experience of Samādhi. Daniel Katz, who studied comparative mysticism, denied the very possibility of a contentless pure consciousness which Yoga leads to.