Interesting, I read it and I guess I have hit the first jhana semi-frequently when I felt that euphoria. I assumed I didn't because although the five hindrances disappeared, I still had some semblance of my senses. Most people seem to categorize the first jhana as being more spectacular; some people say there's a rush of electricity and a paralysis of the body and an orgasm.
So, we have to be willing to accept that the 8 stages of samadhi are steps in depth. So, if the first step is a state without sensory experience, then where do we put all of the other phenomena that are associated with depth in meditation? And, most significantly, people who meditate consistently tend to find various observable phenomena. One of those phenomena is the stilling of the mind. And, in our experience the mind becomes still far before the fantastic experiences of deeper states arises, and we here agree it is the second jhana.
Now you are becoming aware of the conflict in interpretation of the 8 stages of samadhi, which suggests there is surely not a single cohesive understanding of samadhi in the 3 vehicles of Buddhis, which means the schools of Buddhism do not even understand the Noble Eightfold Path, because samadhi is the 8th fold.
Religions in general tend to make their religion fantastic and full of mystery. After all, there is no money for the priesthood when the religion is accessible to everyone.
Surprisingly, I've experienced some of these systems as I've gone to bed a few times. I would lay in bed and as I start clearing my mind, suddenly a pleasant numbness begins to spread across my face. It is both painful and pleasurable as it feels like there's a balloon expanding in my head as well, then a rush of electricity seems to pervade through the rest of my body, this usually lasts a few seconds. Funny enough, last night I hit what I thought was first jhana as I lay in bed contemplating emptiness and stilling my mind, all of a sudden a rush of electricity and pleasure pervaded my body and I lost sense of my self. I don't remember what happened afterwards, I think I must have fallen asleep. I've never had those strong experiences during a sit though, euphoria.
I guess I also had a full fledged experience of the immaterial jhanas as well since I had a vague sense of bodily exit and entrance into a void in some of my sits. I was told I have experienced aspects of the jhanas but not a full fledged one yet. I guess this is encouraging! I thought all this time I had not hit a full jhana yet! I felt I was progressing slow for 6 months.
Thank you for the advice!! I will try this out in the next sit. Yes, I agree about reporting. One aspect of this journey that's been frustrating me online is that many people do not really chart the nitty gritty details, especially of things that hamper them. Meditation feels like a craft with technical tinkering that's required.
It sounds like you are definitely experiencing various stages of samadhi (jhana) and you are certainly beginning to understand that being mindfully self-aware through the process of negotiating the 8 stages of samadhi, while submitting to the natural process. And, you might also begin to understand that almost everyone who claims to have authority in an understanding the the religious experience is proving to be an unreliable source. Good work, and keep it up, and keep in touch.
Another question I have. How straight must the back be during meditation? I try to keep as straight a back as I can, but the upper back particularly the shoulders, I feel like they don't truly maintain one of the aspects of the 'seven point posture of vairocana': Shoulders spread like a vulture’s wings. Essentially, its' difficult to keep my shoulders arched backwards like a vultures wings as often. How crucial is it to maintain such a composure to attain Jhana? I've read about the importance of posture in the past and its' relation towards cultivating the subtle body, so I'm worried i'm hampering myself.
I find posture helps; however, I also found deep relaxation is critical to depth in meditation, so I found a daily practice of hatha yoga helped me transform my body so that I could meditate while relaxing and thus acquire depth. So, if your posture is strained, then you will have less success.
I'm beginning to notice a slight tingly sensation outside of my sits, especially in my tongue and around my mouth; it comes with the melting sensations I remarked on earlier.
Yes, we have had many reports here of residual sensations of depth in meditation following the contemplative around. I have had this experience, and I found if I keep my attention upon it, and avoid stress and anxiety, and a still mind upon the present moment throughout the day then I enjoy these "charisms" (nimitta) throughout the day, and when I next sit to meditate I find I drop to depth instantly.
I also didn't mention much about my goals. My overarching goal is to gain a fuller understanding of the universe through living a contemplative life but I have a more mundane secondary goal. My secondary goal is to become such a strong lucid dreamer that I can create persistent realms to study in. Some people find this to be outlandish as reading is considered difficult within a dream but I have not had any such trouble during my non-lucid dreams. Imagine how liberating it would be to spend nights reading and even meditating, without 'anxiety' of life eating away at your time.
This sounds like a noble goal that may lead to greater understanding; however, I find your goal a bit too cognitive. How about you just let your lucid dream state inform you by allowing it to unfold, instead of you informing it by forcing it to be something that it may not be?
