What is samadhi? Does it only happen with eyes closed? 

Sri Sri : First it is good to start with eyes closed, then it can also happen with eyes open. A devotee has sung such a beautiful verse in Kannada. He has said, 'When my breath is so fragrant, why would I need any flowers?'

See, when your mind is in a very heightened or pleasant state, your breath is like a flower, very soft. When there is pain or heaviness in the mind, your breath is also heavy. When there is love for everyone, the breath has fragrance. So when there is fragrance in the breath, why would one need flowers.

Then he says, 'When there is Kshama(forgiveness), daya (compassion), shanti (peace), sairnne (endurance) in me, why would I need to go and sit in samadhi?'

What is the need of samadhi where there is total forgiveness, total compassion, total peace and total endurance to welcome the opposites? When I can handle the pleasant and the unpleasant equally, because every pain and every unpleasant thing also gives depth to your life. They are also an instrument for you to progress in life. Not just pleasant situations but unpleasant situations are also stepping stones for you to become strong and stronger. So when all these four exist in me, what is the need of samadhi?

Now what are the four things?

1. Kshama which means forgiveness. The Earth is called kshama. Do you know why? Earth is most forgiving. Even though you dig the Earth and you are straining and sweating, in return, it nurtures you and it gives you water to quench your thirst. You till the soil and it gives you grains. So it is most forgiving

2. Daya which means compassion

3. Shanti which means peace. Peace is total relaxation. Feeling relaxed physically, mentally and emotionally

4. Sairnne which means forbearance or endurance

The next one is even more interesting. He says, 'When I have become the whole world and I see the whole universe as myself, what is the point in solitude? Where will I go and hide? This is not necessary'.

And then the devotee asks God, 'Are you listening? This is my opinion. You better listen'.