Vision of the Noble Ones

[Jhanon]

I have to agree that I would like to hear more of your immaterial experiences. I've read and watched practically everything I can find on the internet from you, including your journals. And there is, to my mind, very little discussion of actual experiences. I have, thankfully, put together in mind a collection of comments and little snippets you've said.

Frankly, I don't understand why there isn't MORE discussion of immaterial experiences. I've only had one or two significant and illustrative ones, because soon after I learned how to get there, my responsibilities increased 10-fold. But they are up here in as much detail as I could muster.

[Jhanananda]

In part the reason why I have held back on details of my experiences on the immaterial domains is they are often so fantastic that it would not be fruitful to share them.  My poetry is full of what you ask for.  I will write more in the future.

[Jhanon]

After my last comment, I considered that I don't share my immaterial experiences with anyone these days. Because it wouldn't do good. Instead, it would cause doubt, or other unfruitful effects.

So, I understand. And yes--I should buy your book now that I can afford it. Oh, now I'm really excited to read it'

[Jhanon]

Alexander, I realized something just now when I read this. I CAN tell who is a Noble One and who isn't. In fact, let me tell you a short and interesting story that jumps at me most prominently.

I was going to a artistic competition with my partner, because she used to love participating, but couldn't any longer. So we went to see her sister. As we were walking up to the school (which is where it was held), a very interesting african american man met with us where two paths to the school meet. Instantly, I knew him. I don't know why, but as soon as I saw him I felt "This is a brother." I've never felt that before. Never. And I had no reason to even have it in my head. I never thought about an ability to discern noble ones or anything like that.

What's crazy, is he knew it, too. He never said it, and we barely talked for a minute, but I knew it, and I knew he knew it. Our eyes met, and we both smiled the biggest smile I've ever given a "stranger." And you know how I don't normally look humans in the face because of their thoughts and mind states, so this was significant.

As soon as my partner and I were seated, I said to her "I think that man is enlightened." (This is something I've never said about someone I've met in ordinary life.) And now, I even know the ones who don't know that they are Noble (or at least a proto-mystic). I attract them to me, or I can just tell. I don't know what's going on. I just thought that I was attracting more wholesome and skillful people because I had changed my outer life to reflect my mind. But, oh god, is it really the case that the only wholesome and skillful humans are the Noble Ones?

[Alexander]

Yes, that's very funny. Many of my friends end up being Noble Ones as well. Even without my doing anything, they will be attracted to me. However, they don't seem to understand why they like me.

One of my friends is a once-returner. He went through a profound personal transformation. He explained this to me in depth. He also has 1st jhana attainment. But, he has no idea that he is a once-returner, and he does not know what the jhanas are as well. Also, he does not recognize his transformation as having been overtly spiritual, either.

Your story about the African man sounds true. What I detect is often some combination of (1) a lack of ill will, (2) self-mastery, and (3) the still mind (strange to say but that is palpable). Also, behind the facade/role you two are playing there are two deeper selves that are there and that can see each other. That is the Vision of the Noble Ones.

[Michel]

I was going to a artistic competition with my partner, because she used to love participating, but couldn't any longer. So we went to see her sister. As we were walking up to the school (which is where it was held), a very interesting african american man met with us where two paths to the school meet. Instantly, I knew him. I don't know why, but as soon as I saw him I felt "This is a brother." I've never felt that before. Never. And I had no reason to even have it in my head. I never thought about an ability to discern noble ones or anything like that.

What's crazy, is he knew it, too. He never said it, and we barely talked for a minute, but I knew it, and I knew he knew it. Our eyes met, and we both smiled the biggest smile I've ever given a "stranger." And you know how I don't normally look humans in the face because of their thoughts and mind states, so this was significant.
As soon as my partner and I were seated, I said to her "I think that man is enlightened." (This is something I've never said about someone I've met in ordinary life.) And now, I even know the ones who don't know that they are Noble (or at least a proto-mystic). I attract them to me, or I can just tell. I don't know what's going on. I just thought that I was attracting more wholesome and skillful people because I had changed my outer life to reflect my mind. But, oh god, is it really the case that the only wholesome and skillful humans are the Noble Ones?

I had a similar extraordinary experience, though not as profound as your encounter. One day when I was in a department store, some 2 years ago, I came across this striking man of African descent, perhaps in his thirties, who smiled at me with such an intensity of genuine love and warmth that I felt an energy of love swell up within me. I returned his smile with every last drop of love I had in me. We passed each other realizing we did not need to speak. For a good part of that day this feeling of love glowed within me. It was a beautiful experience. There was something very special about this man.