I am beginning to believe it is either... (1) fantasy (delusion)- that these effects are sincerely believed in by well-intentioned people, but they are mistaken. Or, (2) it is accident. That is, the gods give this Power to some individuals who they so design... but there is no correlation of effort to results.
Re: #1, I have always been inspired by the yogis and mystics of history... and I do not understand how philosophically the world-system we are in here can function without samadhi. But, I cannot find a path by my own efforts to experience this State.
Re: #2, there is this line in Underhill which seems to suggest that interpretation.
Whatever terms he may employ to describe it, and however faint or confused his perceptions may be, the mystic’s experience in Contemplation [ecstasy/samadhi] is the experience of the All, and this experience seems to him to be given rather than attained.
I recall a similar line in Bob Monroe's first book I believe... where in one of his OOBEs an entity told him that he had been gifted with that power... for a specific purpose.
However, I have done more or less everything at this stage. Watch the breath, still the mind, relax deeply, increase efforts, repeat a mantra, long sits, short sits, 24/7 practice, etc...
I go through periods of great self-motivation... followed by the same results (nothing)... frustration... and repeat.
I am also discouraged when I hear, for instance (from Jeff), that my spiritual efforts to this stage are nothing; or that I will be fated in an unconscious dream-state in death, as I have not experienced samadhi.
-Alexander
Well, I suggest that you review who you are getting your advice from. For instance your quote from Underhill further supports my interpretation of her work that she surely is not the last word on mysticism, but she was warm. Go back to reading the Pali Canon, Yoga Sutras, Kabir, Rumi, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, and dump Underhill.
1) How can the experience of depth in meditation net the same results for mystics in a wide range of cultures, languages, periods and religions if it is just delusion? It cannot be, and this is why I quote from the major mystics listed above.
2) I would agree that success in acquiring the superior fruit of the contemplative life (maha-phala) is not a product of effort, although I would agree it takes effort, which is why the 6th fold of the Noble Eightfold Path is right effort.
3) I agree that it is difficult to understand how religion can function without the religious experience (samadhi)? However, when we realize that all mainstream religions marginalize mystics, because mystics are proof that mainstream religion is promoted for self-interest by a pretentious and hypocritical priesthood.
4) Your quote of Bob Monroe does not recognize that Bob Monroe only has some understanding of the OOBE and has no understanding of a fruitful contemplative life.
5) If you are successfully stilling your mind, then that is one of the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala) so congratulations, but just keep in mind stilling the mind is a gateway to greater depth through attending to the charisms as they arise, such as "the little vibrations in the hands and feet, and the ringing sound in the ears." However, do keep in mind I do not promote mantras because mantras are a cognitive meditation exercise that needs to be dumped as soon as the charisms arise such as "the little vibrations in the hands and feet, and the ringing sound in the ears."
