I want to speak to Meg’s statement:
>> Now that I have some understanding of what it is, it’s clear to me that I’ve been experiencing samadhi since I was a kid. <<
But I’ll start another thread with it.
Ute
Hey Ute - I liked what you wrote about kids and meditation a few days ago, but where’d it go? 
I wanted to respond, but it seems to have disappeared.
m
I want to try to bridge the chasm between David’s answer (which I found really really good) and Meg’s issue with his answer and Frank’s desire for simplicity.
First, I may be wrong, but I dont’ think Meg’s question has anything to do with samadhi. She’s asking a broader yoga question. And I’d like to speak to that.
Every opening throws you a yum-yum. Whether it’s letting go a bit in meditation, or getting 1/4 inch closer to touching your toes in asana, or a flash of forgiveness for someone who’s done you wrong…a dab of bliss comes, almost as if your reward. Bigger openings give bigger dabs. Kundalini opening is a mega dab. But the bliss always always fades (repeat that to yourself!). You don’t get the same high by repeating the same opening. You need to move on to further openings to reclaim that intense “tiger” experience.
It can, if you’re not careful, get loony. This is why people do 2 hour headstands and otherwise overdo in asana…they’re desperately trying to reclaim the tiger, and they need to do more and more to get off the plateau.
So just don’t. Forget about it. Enjoy the blissful openings (greet the tiger) when they come, but don’t expect them to come or cling to them when they do. The yumyum is good, because it tells you you’re getting warmer! But you’re not in this for the yumyum, so let it go. It’s the sort of “experience” Yogani talks so much about. View it as it passes by with a neutral witness. Don’t get all geared up. It’s not the goal, it’s just scenery.
Bliss fades to a warm glow. And each bit of opening stokes that glow (that’s not exactly right - the glow is omnipresent - but the image works). And the glow is much much nicer than any high from opening.
As for the karmic basis of this process, I thought David stated it elegantly, per the yoga model. But all that matters is the upshot: Openings bring bliss. Bliss fades…and stokes the glow. And the glow is the $hit.
More here: http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=636
Thanks Jim. My original question was about samadhi, as that’s where I believed I was experiencing the greatest ‘loss’. But as you say, it became a broader issue, and I got some information that I apparently needed–something that I didn’t know about myself: that I have a tendency to crave the experience. Which has been working against me in my daily practice.
I was finally able to read ‘Deep Meditation’ over the weekend. What a wonderful book. It clarifies so many things. Thank you, Yogani.
m
Hari Om
Hello Meg (et.al)
If I may Meg, let me add an idea or two that I believe you already know, but maybe verbalize it from a different angle.
This desire you have (crave) is not a bad thing. It’s built into all of us. When it’s pointed in the right direction it yields very good spiritual results. That is , your desire is for more then the most.
When we look around in our social-climate and people have not chosen the pursuit of the SELF, this desire is translated into the acquisition of things, or extentions of thier selves… “perhaps if I get a bigger car, house, more friends, etc. then I will feel full”.
Many times people do not know what’s missing but feel if I get some more, I will feel better. ( Lets shop!!!) People are just acting on that innate craving for fullness. This can get extreme and we see this all 'round us. This, on my part is not a judgement call on others. It’s the observation that our circuity works in this manner whether we choose it or not.
Pursuing the SELF and that desire you have is to become whole…this is a good thing! You are aiming with a goal in mind. The “wiring” of this was by God; the execution of this is by you, partners in success. Like that.
“We are continually trying to regain the lost memory of our true SELF - that is what is called life” Swami Ashokananda
Frank In San Diego
Thanks, Frank! I’m glad that you pointed that out, as I did miss it. Yes, it’s true that instead of internal energy experiences, I could be craving diamonds and Porsches. So pound for pound, my cravings aren’t so terrible, and they’re definitely more affordable. 
My new year’s resolution was (is) to embrace whatever IS, and not try to change it; to understand that what IS is perfect. So if there are no experiences, perfect. (heavy sigh). And to drink more water.
m
…and chew each morsel of food 27 times.
I like this thread so will resurrect it for other newbies with a post and one of my favorite quotes…
“It’s true that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it, but it’s also true that we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives.”
i’m not a newbie, but haven’t read this post b4.
and thk you for resurecting it my friend it came at the right time.
namaste,
Ananda