Nirvikalpa Samadhi can arise directly, bypassing Savikalpa in rare cases like Keval Kumbhak, deep sleep-like states, or sudden grace. While traditional paths emphasize gradual absorption, some awakenings skip this stage entirely, plunging straight into the formless. My experience with Keval Kumbhak confirms this possibility, where no structured transition was needed. However, stabilization remains key, whether one follows a gradual or direct path.
But why is there no such infinite bliss and light as that was in my Savikalpa Samadhi and included awakening glimpse?
In my awakening glimpse, there was overwhelming bliss mainly a sexual type of bliss comparable to the infinite or ultimate or super sex, light that’s experiential and different from physical one, and unity—a divine experience beyond words. It felt like the peak of existence, a complete merging with the infinite. Yet something was there to achieve as I felt. Probably it was a subtle yerning to achieve nirvikalp samadhi. In contrast, in Keval Kumbhak csused transient Nirvikalpa Samadhi, there was neither light nor darkness, neither ecstasy nor emptiness. It was something beyond words itself. It was as if I was in deep sleep with intermittent fleeting thoughts like dream. But one thing special was I was aware of this state. It was just pure awareness of myself. If there was awareness then it’s itself obvious that there was bliss in it. Because with awareness or existence, there is always happiness or bliss. And where there is existence and happiness, there is also knowledge. Even in today’s information age, it is seen that by acquiring knowledge, a person gets existential power i.e. achievement as well as happiness. That is why God is also called Sachchidananda. But I didn’t find any experience full of light and bliss or appearing as peak of worldly physical or mental experiences as felt in savikalp samadhi. However there was satisfaction in it. Satisfaction itself means there’s everything contained in it. It means that was nirvikalp samadhi slowly developing. In deep sleep, there doesn’t even remain self awareness.
I now see the reason. In Savikalpa, there is still a subtle observer, a refined perception that allows bliss and radiance to manifest. Also there’s a refined neurochemistry that may release bliss forming chemicals. Means it may not be entirely the bliss of pure self but a play of neurochemicals. In Nirvikalpa, even that dissolves. In pranaless state of keval Kumbhak even ecstatic thoughts with accompanying bliss chemicals can’t form in the brain. Then there’s left only the soul and its natural self awareness and bliss. There is no one left to witness, no duality, only pure existence. Only mental formation or ego acts as witness. Pure self is void that can’t witness anything other than itself means directly knowing itself. And also it can’t be witnessed by anyone. It can only be directly felt as one’s own self. It is not an absence, nor is it something that can be described—it simply is.
Yet, strangely, its after-effect is deeper. The bliss of Savikalpa fades, but Nirvikalpa leaves a silent presence that does not come or go, just remains. A strange feeling always remains for many births or until one attain perfection in it. There is some kind of a peaceful void which is helping me in every way and pulling me towards it. I had this feeling since birth. It can also mean that I may have got a glimpse of Nirvikalp Samadhi in some previous birth but I have not attained it completely. The beauty of the soul is not something to be seen; it is to be lived.
What is said by many that after attaining Savikalpa, there is no need to make efforts to attain Nirvikalpa, is not to say that effort is secondary. Rather, it means that after Savikalpa Samadhi, a person progresses towards Nirvikalpa Samadhi on his own, because after attaining everything or touching the pinnacle of the world, the desire or attachment towards the world starts to end on its own. But this can take a lot of time, it can even take many births. Therefore, to speed up this natural process, efforts have to be made for Nirvikalpa as well. The more efforts you make in the form of sadhana, the sooner you will attain it. Even after nirvikalp efforts need to be put to achieve sahaj samadhi that’s last doorway to liberation. The importance of effort does not decrease in any field and in any situation.
Demystifying Kundalini 