Jhanon's Meditation and Mystical Experience Records

[Jhanon]

Another similar experience last night that was rather mesmerizing. I will try to describe it.

I was merely laying in bed, with a single candle, resting in jhana with my eyes open. The upper part of my visual field, which was where the walls met the ceiling, started to exchange for a brightness. Bright in that it overpowered ordinary vision. I recognized it as the light which has come so many times before, but it was different this time.

At first I felt fear, but then I paused to just be with it. This was a new reaction. Then, I remembered someone from the sangha talking to me about this. I don't know if it was Jhananda or someone else. Someone told me something like "just dip your toes a little further each time. If it ever becomes too much, just open your eyes." Well, in this case my eyes were already opened. But it made sense since I could control my level of absorption.

So I paid attention to how mesmerizing it was. Suddenly it was like a shower was coming down all around. A shower of purple electricity of the most stunning color spectrum. The spaces not filled with this electricity were increasingly white and alive, like the foam of a crashing wave. But what was most amazing about it was this whole shower came in consistently timed pulses--like waves lapping on the shore.

The first wave only came down to where the ceiling met the walls before receeding. Then the next wave came down with greater radiance and activity, blasting a bit further down before receding to the ceiling. After the third or fourth wave, I began to FEEL the waves (proportional to it's visual expression) in the charismatic body. Each wave washed over the visual and tactile field, and the electricity could be felt similarly.

Fear set in again. I shook the absorption just a bit to soothe the fear-laden identity--I really wanted to overcome it. Then I absorbed again, and it grew faster than before. Finally, when it was covering almost my entire vision with each burst, I let go a little bit more. It was as if time stopped, as did the wave about to crest. and I was given a chance to observe it. It was like watching a wave slow to a crawl just before crashing, and I could see that despite it's slowed movement, the entire wave was alive, scintillating, with the most mesmerizing "black light" electricity. It ended after that. I admit that it appears it ended because I was satisfied with dipping my toes much further than usual.

Afterward, instead of being afraid of it like in the past, I wanted to overcome it, and go into whatever this was only the beginning of. I wanted to go with it. I wanted to know. I tried again, but there was still this interspersed fear. I was discouraged. I had to use the bathroom, so I did. As I was walking out of the room, investigating the foundation of the fear, the thought came "The worst that can happen is you resist it."

After coming back, I was soon overcome with drowsiness, and lost consciousness.

[Jhanon]

Firstly, I'd like to apologize for not getting to the numerous active threads. I've been trying to, but lately I've been more absorbed than usual. I will get to them, one by one.

Two New and Significant OOBE Experiences

First OOBE to Occur: Innocent Happiness
A few nights ago, when I was riding a little higher wave of enduring intuitive ecstasy than I am now, I had two distinctly new OOBE experiences during the sleep state. The first one, was a happy, go-lucky, laughter riot. Never in all my memory can I recall having such an OOBE or even dream. I exited with a smile on my face. A genuine, huge, smile. That's how I began my day. I had left the OOBE sleep state not with sadness, but happiness. But the second experience was even more significant.

Second OOBE to Occur: Laughter in the Ghost Plane
I found myself in dry, bland, grey world, with various small, old buildings. And I became aware of a similarily grey-ish, somehow translucent and empty humanoid figure. But more importantly, I saw this figure holding an old-style lantern which put out a distinctly sharp greenish-yellow glow that I instantly recognized from past experiences. And in this past similar experiences, as well as this one, there was always a ghost-like figure with an old-style lantern, searching endlessly for something. In the past, they were disconcerting. About three years ago, just moments before my first experience of ecstatic consciousness is my earliest memory of this. And it was shining it's light on me. Right in my face....

But, to my genuine astonishment, and gratitude, in this recent OOBE, I began laughing. Not in a cruel fashion. I couldn't understand it. Why was I laughing? But immediately, intuitively, called to memory was something Jhananda said to me.

 
On the other hand, terrifying dreams, are quite common for mystics.  Here is my explanation.  When we are in an OOBE we are in the "collective unconscious," but we are conscious.  This makes the collective very insecure, so they will often lash out at the one who is conscious.  When the contemplative develops equanimity, then the terrifying dreams will become far less, and even more importantly, they will have little effect. 

So, as you become more lucid in the dream state, then you will have more terrifying dreams.  But the more time you spend meditating at the 3rd level and above, the more equanimity you will have, so the frequency of the terrifying dreams will become less. And, as you progress you will be less attracted to the lower immaterial realms and more attracted to the upper realms.

When you can consistently meditate to the depth of the 4th level, then you will be able to move in and out of body at will, and you will be moving to higher dimensions, where you will not encounter frightening beings.  And, even if you did, then the frightening beings would not be frightening, just laughable.

I thought what he was describing was a decade away, just as three years ago I thought stream-winning would be a lifelong accomplishment.

Some Compelling Observation
I want to finish by saying that I have done very little formal meditation over the last two weeks, other than meditated to depth before entering sleep.

However, I've experienced, beyond a doubt, nearly constant qualities of 3rd jhana as I've written, contemplated, discussed and assisted others. Other than a near-constant stream of intuitive insight into all experience, a consistently strong presence in the throat and head chakras, I have also experienced almost no physical pain compared to my normal experience. It seems that I've become absorbed in the intuitive insight, which is the constant charism which is moving me back and forward in the jhana's during daily life.

Intuitive Insight as a Charism to Absorb In
I see an aura, and I instantly realize it's a higher vibrational frequency experienced as light. That physical light is relatively close to the frequency of aura. That all vibrations beyond that of physical light is some form of light. That why we are so dazzled and mesmerized by our devices of light, is the same reason being bathed in light at the higher samadhi's is an experience of ecstasy and knowledge. This is an overview example of the instantaneous insight that's nearly constant--but I can't hope to communicate the feeling it provides. Something I experienced 3 years ago, and thought "This is IT. God, please let that sublime abiding be something to experience constantly."

Conclusion
I am not looking for praise. I want to somehow communicate how I feel right now. I want you, anyone, to feel it, too. That this is real. That this works. That there is no need for doubt.

Go read my posts. I've recorded everything I could since I came here, with as little censorship as possible. Because I wanted a complete record for all to see of an individual going from beginning to finish. In the "age of information", that is a duty I feel we owe to humanity. So that they know. And I'm going to complete that effort.

Jhananda once told me if I wanted a comfortable life, that I should forsake meditation. Frankly, screw a comfortable life. I love feeling alive, vibrating in every cell, knowing and seeing a bigger and bigger interconnected image of existence and all the planes. To be comfortable is to be static and stale, not ecstatic and alive. Have courage. Listen to your intuition/conscience/heart--whatever you like to call it. And LET GO. Take the leaps of faith gently suggested of your intuition. Because ultimately, ignorance/fear is what needs to be annihilated.

[Jhanananda]

Good work, Jhanon.  You are finding that the bliss, joy and ecstasy of deep meditation is the most compelling experience one can ever have.

[Jhanon]

Good work, Jhanon.  You are finding that the bliss, joy and ecstasy of deep meditation is the most compelling experience one can ever have.

--that one can have consistently, enduringly, virtually whenever. That is what I think has really changed. In the past it was all new, like a human drinking their first beer. It tastes strange and effected you unusually. But just as an alcoholic begins to seek refuge in that bottle as they become more acquainted with it, so, too does a mystic with the numerous ecstatic qualities available. How's that for contradictory imagery?

I do have one question. A curiosity, really. Is it quite ordinary for ghost beings to carry a lantern with a greenish-yellow glow?

[Jhanananda]

I do have one question. A curiosity, really. Is it quite ordinary for ghost beings to carry a lantern with a greenish-yellow glow?

Not in my experience, but it sure sounded very Jungian archetype.

[bodhimind]

Conclusion
I am not looking for praise. I want to somehow communicate how I feel right now. I want you, anyone, to feel it, too. That this is real. That this works. That there is no need for doubt.

Go read my posts. I've recorded everything I could since I came here, with as little censorship as possible. Because I wanted a complete record for all to see of an individual going from beginning to finish. In the "age of information", that is a duty I feel we owe to humanity. So that they know. And I'm going to complete that effort.

Jhananda once told me if I wanted a comfortable life, that I should forsake meditation. Frankly, screw a comfortable life. I love feeling alive, vibrating in every cell, knowing and seeing a bigger and bigger interconnected image of existence and all the planes. To be comfortable is to be static and stale, not ecstatic and alive. Have courage. Listen to your intuition/conscience/heart--whatever you like to call it. And LET GO. Take the leaps of faith gently suggested of your intuition. Because ultimately, ignorance/fear is what needs to be annihilated.

Jhanon, I want to say that I've been actively reading your posts as well and gaining insights for my meditation. I do feel inspired by your progress. So thank you for posting these regularly.

[Jhanon]

I do have one question. A curiosity, really. Is it quite ordinary for ghost beings to carry a lantern with a greenish-yellow glow?

Not in my experience, but it sure sounded very Jungian archetype.

Interesting, because I know nothing of Jung besides a few popular quotes. And, I cannot see any impression from the past which could lead to perceiving lanterns...I have one more question. Have you ever seen formless beings, balls or mists of light, while in ordinary daily life? When I was young, watching outside during a thunder storm; I saw an extraordinarily radiant ball of light. I was told it was a "ball lightning", supposedly a rare physical phenomena.

Then, a few years ago, I walked past my room, and in my periphery saw a flowing, floating, golden-lighted being of grace floating over my bed. It was the day after the highest experience of samadhi I've ever had, which fits your description of Samadhi 8. And that experience happened in that bed. I turned straight forward, and watched it.

There have been others.

Conclusion
I am not looking for praise. I want to somehow communicate how I feel right now. I want you, anyone, to feel it, too. That this is real. That this works. That there is no need for doubt.

Go read my posts. I've recorded everything I could since I came here, with as little censorship as possible. Because I wanted a complete record for all to see of an individual going from beginning to finish. In the "age of information", that is a duty I feel we owe to humanity. So that they know. And I'm going to complete that effort.

Jhananda once told me if I wanted a comfortable life, that I should forsake meditation. Frankly, screw a comfortable life. I love feeling alive, vibrating in every cell, knowing and seeing a bigger and bigger interconnected image of existence and all the planes. To be comfortable is to be static and stale, not ecstatic and alive. Have courage. Listen to your intuition/conscience/heart--whatever you like to call it. And LET GO. Take the leaps of faith gently suggested of your intuition. Because ultimately, ignorance/fear is what needs to be annihilated.

Jhanon, I want to say that I've been actively reading your posts as well and gaining insights for my meditation. I do feel inspired by your progress. So thank you for posting these regularly.

I hope it accelerates your progress and potentiates your level of fulfillment.

[Jhanananda]

Interesting, because I know nothing of Jung besides a few popular quotes. And, I cannot see any impression from the past which could lead to perceiving lanterns...I have one more question. Have you ever seen formless beings, balls or mists of light, while in ordinary daily life? When I was young, watching outside during a thunder storm; I saw an extraordinarily radiant ball of light. I was told it was a "ball lightning", supposedly a rare physical phenomena.

I have never seen ball lightning, so I cannot be sure how it behaves, or its origins, but I have heard about it, and I speculate that it is a product of higher level electromagnetic lightning phenomena, which I believe is related to super-lightning, and the sprite; and not related to any spiritual phenomena.

Then, a few years ago, I walked past my room, and in my periphery saw a flowing, floating, golden-lighted being of grace floating over my bed. It was the day after the highest experience of samadhi I've ever had, which fits your description of Samadhi 8. And that experience happened in that bed. I turned straight forward, and watched it.

There have been others.

Interesting thing about reported ghost appearances; in American culture we tend to have a more anthropomorphic representation to the reported sightings.  In Asia then tend to describe this phenomena as spheres of light, or light orbs, which partly relates to the kasina in the suttas.

Jhananda once told me if I wanted a comfortable life, that I should forsake meditation. Frankly, screw a comfortable life. I love feeling alive, vibrating in every cell, knowing and seeing a bigger and bigger interconnected image of existence and all the planes. To be comfortable is to be static and stale, not ecstatic and alive. Have courage. Listen to your intuition/conscience/heart--whatever you like to call it. And LET GO. Take the leaps of faith gently suggested of your intuition. Because ultimately, ignorance/fear is what needs to be annihilated.

The genuine religious experience tends to be so compelling that one tends to give up everything to cultivate them.

[bodhimind]

Jhanon, I'm wondering... When you do body scans or start to see these visual charisms, were you meditating with eyes open? Wouldn't the sight sense be somewhat in the "background"? I'm asking because lately I've been trying both closed and open-eye meditations, and I find that the experiences I get from are a little different.

[Jhanon]

Jhanon, I'm wondering... When you do body scans or start to see these visual charisms, were you meditating with eyes open? Wouldn't the sight sense be somewhat in the "background"? I'm asking because lately I've been trying both closed and open-eye meditations, and I find that the experiences I get from are a little different.

I see visual charisms whether I'm meditating eyes open, closed, or just going about my day. They are more obvious the greater the contrast between the ordinary senses and extrasenses. For example, the visual charisms I see are obvious when in darkness, but slightly less noticeable in daylight. Also, like any "extrasense" (charism), it is laid over the ordinary sense and takes prominence the more one is absorbed into the extrasenses. This has been my experience so far.

Does this answer your question?

[Jhanon]

I've recently had an unusually unique meditation experience...Whether or not it was form-jhana or samadhi was irrelevant.

Instead of experiencing several frequencies of charisms simultaneously in each extrasense (auditory, tactile, etc)--I experienced a guiding voice. At first it appeared to be nothing more than mental chatter, but I couldn't remember the last time I experienced mental chatter. So, I let go and watched. The charisms were still there, but they were focusing and expanding extrasenses "automatically" in response to what was necessary to illustrate the discourse. It's at this point I will have to use "quotations" in lack of adequate wording.

"me"= What would normally be perceived as "me" in a normal human being.
"They"= What was being perceived as the guiding voice.
"I" = What was normally perceived to be the independent awareness which one would navigate with at higher samadhi or death.

"Me" would ask questions and "They" would respond with auto-focusing extrasenses, like occupying the awareness of another being's mental/emotional state while amplifying the tactile field and telepathic-like communication. It began to bend my mind in ways that only substance-assisted meditation had in the past.

But "They"--which just previously was perceived as a guide--was "me", and "me" was "They"--and we ("I", "They", and "me") knew this. "me" would voice a question, or concern, but at the same time was aware that "I" wasn't doing anything. It was a dance between "me" and "They" which "I" was observing but also capable of interacting through "me" and "They". So the "me" would ask a question, and "They" would respond with various extrasenses.

(I'm doing my best to explain this.)

It rapidly became instruction, and the only role of "I" was to let go and remain neutral as I felt and experienced it through the "me" and "They". The more skillfully this was done, the more "me" and "They" integrated, eventually integrating more being's consciousnesses. "Me" would ask something like "What about..." and "They" would interrupt, and all answered in unison--except "I" knew the answer somehow before, and yet at the same time. This is an example of how the rapidity and intensity increased.

Eventually the consciousness of a human being very close to me, which I've been struggling to support in ordinary daily life was occupied. This human being has shut themselves off from their inner being. But they display all the tell-tale signs of repressed suffering.

The pain was so tremendous, and unanticipated, as this human being is extremely adept at repression. I admit I am typing this through quivering lower eyelids filled with tears--even though this meditation occurred yesterday. It's at this point I have to throw out the "I", "me", "They" distinctions because they were too blurred due to how powerful the experience of this being's consciousness had become. The intensity was so great I began to experience the sense of trauma trying to take hold. And all I heard was "equanimity, equanimity, equanimity." This was motivated by a selflessness. I can't really say if it was "intent."

What was perhaps the most difficult--out of what I can express with words--is the longer and more finely the equanimity balanced on the fine pin-point of "unattached", the stronger and stronger the pain was. I soon was pulled back to my bedroom, and felt "Go." As well as I recall, there were no tears upon re-entering form--which was unusual. I collected the experience in mind, and grabbed the phone to check time. At that very point, an alert came up reminding me that I was to go meet with this same human being. The mind was still, but would try here and there to "rush" as I had very little time to get there. The same selflessness drove it to be silent. Almost aggressively so--or at least the power was absolutely overwhelming. If I put the memory of this "drive to be silent" into words, it would simply be the complete embodiment of concept behind the word  "NO." But, like as if you were looking up 1,000's of stories at this great being of blinding light whose voice TORE into your eardrums, echoing through every cell...much to your overwhelming gratitude and delight.


That occupied consciousness, was perhaps the greatest suffering "of the heart" I've ever onserved/endured. Sure, I've sobbed in the past, but it was often--if not always--a selfish, self-indulgent suffering. This was not suffering, but tremendous pain at the observation of their suffering. It was paired with unbearable compassion.

As if I wasn't already strongly driven to be of service to this individual, and despite the pain...I sincerely wanted to help with every cell. And at one point, I was thoroughly prepared and willing to take all of their pain on so they could be free of it. I don't know how to explain it any more strongly without recording a video report....

[Jhanananda]

I've recently had an unusually unique meditation experience...Whether or not it was form-jhana or samadhi was irrelevant.

I get insights all of the time, and find they do not have to be in a context of formal meditation practice.  However, I know that my facility with insight is a product of having maintained a daily meditation practice for decades.  So, I have no problem believing that you have come to this level of insight.

When we get to this level of insight is when we begin to feel the pain of the world.  I have come to realize that if one does not weep every day for the corruption, and suffering of the world, then one is not enlightened.  This; however, means, as you found, that equanimity is essential, or we will go quite made from the insights gained from an incomplete contemplative life.

[Jhanon]

Hey guys. Long time no talk. I've been exploring different ways of life, different perspectives on life, and just generally travelling all over the place.

I'm popping on here because I have a quick question. I have a friend that experiences something unusual which I found I had no explanation for.

When lying down, they sometimes enter a twilight state where they have waking visions of random situations and places in which they themselves are not present. In other words, it is other people, but themselves in these visions.

In most dreams or visions, it's been my experience that we are usually present in the first person. Anyone familiar with this or have some insight about it?

[Naman]

Usually even if we see a dream as a third person,  we have reactions,  and in a way we get involved like how it is if we watch a movie with too much involvement...  If we can get to a point where we watch life as a third person, even our dream becomes that..  U feel like u have just watched a movie.  Over period it may result in having no character of urself in a dream. I have experienced it, but it doesnt mean much.. This way or otherwise.

[Jhanananda]

Good to hear from you, Jhanon.  Your inquiry is difficult to respond to without knowing more details regarding your friend.  Your friend's experiences could just be the product of an overactive imagination, or the product of a deeply contemplative life.  So, we need to understand your friend better. Does your friend lead a contemplative life?  If so, then what other fruit does your friend manifest?