Winston's Meditation Case Histories

[Jhanon]

Unless you found my posts which say the same things and are copying me--lol--then you are genuinely experiencing an almost identical stream-entry as I. I called it the white wall of annihilation. But the rest was part for the couse.

I am going to tell you what I wish I would have done in your position. Right now you have what I see as "beginners mind/luck." It is now that, I feel, you can make the fastest progress. Again, I feel as though it is possible for a seriously dedicated, informed, and supported mystic can make it to liberation. Where you are to arahantship in 5-28 days.

It's just the feeling I've have many times. Jhananda is the authority, so take my words as they are.

Tip: Courage. Have courage. Just be with it, and then move one tiny centimeter a little further in. Courage. Courage. Courage.  That is what I would have told myself then.

[bodhimind]

Unless you found my posts which say the same things and are copying me--lol--then you are genuinely experiencing an almost identical stream-entry as I. I called it the white wall of annihilation. But the rest was part for the couse.

I am going to tell you what I wish I would have done in your position. Right now you have what I see as "beginners mind/luck." It is now that, I feel, you can make the fastest progress. Again, I feel as though it is possible for a seriously dedicated, informed, and supported mystic can make it to liberation. Where you are to arahantship in 5-28 days.

It's just the feeling I've have many times. Jhananda is the authority, so take my words as they are.

Tip: Courage. Have courage. Just be with it, and then move one tiny centimeter a little further in. Courage. Courage. Courage.  That is what I would have told myself then.

Yes I assure you that I'm having these experiences from my own, haha. It's strange how I would feel something and then when I look at your posts it nearly narrates what I've been experiencing. I can count that as a blessing though, since I'll be able to take similar advice as well.

I'll just stay on with it for now. I tried a bit of walking meditation and I'm getting quite comfortable having the bliss permeate my body as I walk around haha.

[Jhanon]

Unless you found my posts which say the same things and are copying me--lol--then you are genuinely experiencing an almost identical stream-entry as I. I called it the white wall of annihilation. But the rest was part for the couse.

I am going to tell you what I wish I would have done in your position. Right now you have what I see as "beginners mind/luck." It is now that, I feel, you can make the fastest progress. Again, I feel as though it is possible for a seriously dedicated, informed, and supported mystic can make it to liberation. Where you are to arahantship in 5-28 days.

It's just the feeling I've have many times. Jhananda is the authority, so take my words as they are.

Tip: Courage. Have courage. Just be with it, and then move one tiny centimeter a little further in. Courage. Courage. Courage.  That is what I would have told myself then.

Yes I assure you that I'm having these experiences from my own, haha. It's strange how I would feel something and then when I look at your posts it nearly narrates what I've been experiencing. I can count that as a blessing though, since I'll be able to take similar advice as well.

I'll just stay on with it for now. I tried a bit of walking meditation and I'm getting quite comfortable having the bliss permeate my body as I walk around haha.

Perpetuating "Beginners Mind"

Posture Variations

Good! That's excellent. Something I've been working on is explaining the employment of different postures as relief from bursts of progress like you are experiencing now. Specirically, I've found that each posture, of walking, standing, cross-legged sitting, laying, and yes--even chair-sitting, reclining and Dhamma discussion, offer the contemplative a different emphasis on experience. For example, walking I find intuitive insight to be strong. Laying; OOBE. Cross-legged, joy/equanimity/tranquility.

Time of Day and Environment

Also, different times of day. At 2am, I almost always experience the white wall of light. Morning, inspiration. This is easily apparent as a mechanic by observing how easily the audio charism can be detected in silence when compared to a loud room.

A Holistic Practice

So if it becomes too much, you might consider focusing on another posture or time of day or quality/factor/sense to round out your practice and experience.
Among the many benefits is discovery and novel experience. This perpetuates "beginners mind". In the same way that traveling from one city to a new one can.

Set and Setting

These are all examples of "set and setting."

(I would provide links as proof and reference, but I'm on the mobile phone)

[Jhanon]

Perhaps it is because we are so resonant, but it seems you are doing very well. I hope you are allowing your heart/conscience/inner-guide to feel that acknowledgement, and that it is propelling you even more rapidly in it's ecstasy

[bodhimind]

Perpetuating "Beginners Mind"

Posture Variations

Good! That's excellent. Something I've been working on is explaining the employment of different postures as relief from bursts of progress like you are experiencing now. Specirically, I've found that each posture, of walking, standing, cross-legged sitting, laying, and yes--even chair-sitting, reclining and Dhamma discussion, offer the contemplative a different emphasis on experience. For example, walking I find intuitive insight to be strong. Laying; OOBE. Cross-legged, joy/equanimity/tranquility.

Brilliant. Thank you for this, somehow I find that by walking meditation, I tend to also have some kind of visual charism happening as fluorescence in my vision. While I was back in my medicine study term, I found that walking therapeutically helped me remember things very easily and I could also derive concepts that linked some of these incoherent terms in a very understandable way, almost like a flash of inspiration. I'm still trying my way in it though, perhaps I could learn some Tai Chi to help with the fluidity of my movements. As I'm in a confined space, it does get hard to do U-turns when I reach a wall.

Time of Day and Environment

Also, different times of day. At 2am, I almost always experience the white wall of light. Morning, inspiration. This is easily apparent as a mechanic by observing how easily the audio charism can be detected in silence when compared to a loud room.

Would that be the tinnitus-like sound ringing? Because when I go into a mindful state the sound seems to appear out of nowhere. I was wondering if the concentration somehow tensed a muscle and agitated my ear-related nerves.

[Jhanananda]

Would that be the tinnitus-like sound ringing? Because when I go into a mindful state the sound seems to appear out of nowhere. I was wondering if the concentration somehow tensed a muscle and agitated my ear-related nerves.

Well, if you are meditating properly, then you are not tensing any muscles, so if you are experiencing something that seems like tinnitus from the practice of meditation, then it is the sound charism.  The more you practice deep meditation the more you are likely to experience the sound charism, to the point that you may have the sound charism present all of the time, even when you are not meditating.  This is considered a desirable outcome.

[Jhanon]

Perpetuating "Beginners Mind"

Posture Variations

Good! That's excellent. Something I've been working on is explaining the employment of different postures as relief from bursts of progress like you are experiencing now. Specirically, I've found that each posture, of walking, standing, cross-legged sitting, laying, and yes--even chair-sitting, reclining and Dhamma discussion, offer the contemplative a different emphasis on experience. For example, walking I find intuitive insight to be strong. Laying; OOBE. Cross-legged, joy/equanimity/tranquility.

Brilliant. Thank you for this, somehow I find that by walking meditation, I tend to also have some kind of visual charism happening as fluorescence in my vision. While I was back in my medicine study term, I found that walking therapeutically helped me remember things very easily and I could also derive concepts that linked some of these incoherent terms in a very understandable way, almost like a flash of inspiration. I'm still trying my way in it though, perhaps I could learn some Tai Chi to help with the fluidity of my movements. As I'm in a confined space, it does get hard to do U-turns when I reach a wall.

Time of Day and Environment

Also, different times of day. At 2am, I almost always experience the white wall of light. Morning, inspiration. This is easily apparent as a mechanic by observing how easily the audio charism can be detected in silence when compared to a loud room.

Would that be the tinnitus-like sound ringing? Because when I go into a mindful state the sound seems to appear out of nowhere. I was wondering if the concentration somehow tensed a muscle and agitated my ear-related nerves.

I agree with Jhananda  regarding the "audio charism." And I encourage you to re-read the set and setting post with that information in mind. It makes sense of the whole post.

Also, I've actually found walking outside in ordinary street or sidewalk to be better than indoors in confined space. And Tai chi resonates with a different quality, like how yoga resonates with kundalini.

My fondest movement meditation has been walking entirely by intuition through a forest park.

[bodhimind]

Well, if you are meditating properly, then you are not tensing any muscles, so if you are experiencing something that seems like tinnitus from the practice of meditation, then it is the sound charism.  The more you practice deep meditation the more you are likely to experience the sound charism, to the point that you may have the sound charism present all of the time, even when you are not meditating.  This is considered a desirable outcome.

I do have this sound charism present every time now, along with the tingles I feel (which you said was the tactile charism). Also, I don't know if this is a visual charism, but I seem to be able to see "faint streaks of light" in mid air, as if it were the reflection of light from dust floating in the air. But then I realized the luminescence also can be seen all over my skin and close objects, so it doesn't make sense to be reflection of dust. The brightness increases as if it were obscuring my vision when I do walking meditation.

I agree with Jhananda  regarding the "audio charism." And I encourage you to re-read the set and setting post with that information in mind. It makes sense of the whole post.

Also, I've actually found walking outside in ordinary street or sidewalk to be better than indoors in confined space. And Tai chi resonates with a different quality, like how yoga resonates with kundalini.

My fondest movement meditation has been walking entirely by intuition through a forest park.

I will try to do it in a park. Unfortunately it's really hot over at Aus right now. The summer heat reached over 45 Celsius ( 115 Fahrenheit) in one of the days. Perhaps I could find a place shaded by the trees so I can at least dodge the UV light.

I'll continue to strive. The fear seems to have reduced in my recent meditations. Just going to go back again and again until I finally let go of it.

[Jhanananda]

I do have this sound charism present every time now, along with the tingles I feel (which you said was the tactile charism). Also, I don't know if this is a visual charism, but I seem to be able to see "faint streaks of light" in mid air, as if it were the reflection of light from dust floating in the air. But then I realized the luminescence also can be seen all over my skin and close objects, so it doesn't make sense to be reflection of dust. The brightness increases as if it were obscuring my vision when I do walking meditation.

This is very good.  If you make the charisms (jhana-nimitta) your object of meditation, then you will find greater depth in meditation.

I'll continue to strive. The fear seems to have reduced in my recent meditations. Just going to go back again and again until I finally let go of it.

Good to know that the fear is diminishing through familiarity with the new terrain of deep meditation, and confirmation from your friends here.  If you spend enough time in deep meditation then eventually you are likely to find the landscape of deep meditation a great comfort.

[Jhanon]

Well, if you are meditating properly, then you are not tensing any muscles, so if you are experiencing something that seems like tinnitus from the practice of meditation, then it is the sound charism.  The more you practice deep meditation the more you are likely to experience the sound charism, to the point that you may have the sound charism present all of the time, even when you are not meditating.  This is considered a desirable outcome.

I do have this sound charism present every time now, along with the tingles I feel (which you said was the tactile charism). Also, I don't know if this is a visual charism, but I seem to be able to see "faint streaks of light" in mid air, as if it were the reflection of light from dust floating in the air. But then I realized the luminescence also can be seen all over my skin and close objects, so it doesn't make sense to be reflection of dust. The brightness increases as if it were obscuring my vision when I do walking meditation.

I agree with Jhananda  regarding the "audio charism." And I encourage you to re-read the set and setting post with that information in mind. It makes sense of the whole post.

Also, I've actually found walking outside in ordinary street or sidewalk to be better than indoors in confined space. And Tai chi resonates with a different quality, like how yoga resonates with kundalini.

My fondest movement meditation has been walking entirely by intuition through a forest park.

I will try to do it in a park. Unfortunately it's really hot over at Aus right now. The summer heat reached over 45 Celsius ( 115 Fahrenheit) in one of the days. Perhaps I could find a place shaded by the trees so I can at least dodge the UV light.

I'll continue to strive. The fear seems to have reduced in my recent meditations. Just going to go back again and again until I finally let go of it.

I don't wish to interfere with Jhananda's wisdom, but I do want to offer some "coincidental" information.

"Aura"
You're describing what most people call "aura." Unfortunately, this term has too much baggage and is usually only prescribed to living beings. But it is everywhere. If it is being seen around a physical object, then when the the physical object is moved, the "aura" will take a little bit longer to move with it. Which, noticing that "delay" alone contains tremendous amounts of insight into "time" and higher planes.

"Tracers"
Anyway, this "delay" causes a "tracer" effect (another term with baggage.) If you absorb into it enough, you'll see the most glorious light everywhere. It is quite profound the first time. I just taught a couple people how to see, or rather, notice "aura" this last week.

Learning to See "Aura" and Implications of It
One took an hour to learn, but had too much fetter of "skeptical doubt" and so is not convinced yet. The other learned in less than a minute, and happens to be my fiance--which was very revealing. It is amazing just how much one can know through what I guess I would call "holistic" insight. Meaning that one can see the big picture and thus understand the context of the smaller pictures.

Charisms as Refuge
Perhaps this could be one of the new "charismatic refuges" you use during certain situations, or should you find yourself unable to overcome aversion with the intensity of another charism.

As always, I do not claim to be an arahant nor have more experience than others on here, such as Jhananda. So, take my words as they are, but not "my word for IT." I have sincerely appreciated your posts. I really have. Thank you.

[bodhimind]

This is very good.  If you make the charisms (jhana-nimitta) your object of meditation, then you will find greater depth in meditation.

I'm making the sound jhana-nimitta an object of meditation currently.

I realize that I've done something similar with the visual charism before. I was told to imagine a circular spot of white/red/blue/yellow/fire/water/earth/air/space/light and then simply just hold my attention on it. One day it expanded and filled my whole vision. It only happened once though, so I wasn't able to replicate it. I think I read it in the kasina article as well.

A problem I find when meditating on the sound is that it does gradually become slightly louder, but not that much louder. It definitely isn't tinnitus because I watched your video/read the article and the sound isn't imbalanced. It seems to come from both the centre of the head (as if I had headphones on) yet from everywhere around me. I read somewhere that this sound came from the crown chakra, how true is this statement?

I also find that I'm having trouble finding the right grip. I tried to find a metaphor that would work and I thought of grasping a jelly, not too soft or tight. I was trying to find the good spot but subconsciously I seemed to tense too much when I focused on the sound, getting a little headache. I was able to get to the point where the visual and tactile charisms also appeared though.

"Aura"
You're describing what most people call "aura." Unfortunately, this term has too much baggage and is usually only prescribed to living beings. But it is everywhere. If it is being seen around a physical object, then when the the physical object is moved, the "aura" will take a little bit longer to move with it. Which, noticing that "delay" alone contains tremendous amounts of insight into "time" and higher planes.

I just tried focusing and noticed the delay. Would this also describe how a leaf, when torn, retain its aura? (What do you think of Kirlian photography?)

"Tracers"
Anyway, this "delay" causes a "tracer" effect (another term with baggage.) If you absorb into it enough, you'll see the most glorious light everywhere. It is quite profound the first time. I just taught a couple people how to see, or rather, notice "aura" this last week.

I see streaks of gold or purple (mainly purple) from my body. But mostly when the visual charism seems to appear, my vision itself becomes obscured by light. Is this normal?

Learning to See "Aura" and Implications of It
One took an hour to learn, but had too much fetter of "skeptical doubt" and so is not convinced yet. The other learned in less than a minute, and happens to be my fiance--which was very revealing. It is amazing just how much one can know through what I guess I would call "holistic" insight. Meaning that one can see the big picture and thus understand the context of the smaller pictures.

Hmm, I understand that one can use the visual charism as a meditative object, but I was wondering if developing this skill is useful to conduct? For example, looking at a person's aura and determining the right words to say, right actions to take, etc?

Charisms as Refuge
Perhaps this could be one of the new "charismatic refuges" you use during certain situations, or should you find yourself unable to overcome aversion with the intensity of another charism.

As always, I do not claim to be an arahant nor have more experience than others on here, such as Jhananda. So, take my words as they are, but not "my word for IT." I have sincerely appreciated your posts. I really have. Thank you.

I've also appreciated your posts, they've helped me too.

Sometimes I'm not too sure which charism I should meditate on. On some days I will use the visual, then I'll switch to tactile, then auditory. Is this counter-productive?

From what I feel, these charisms seem to have this... unifying quality. Like the tingling (fuzziness), the "visual' tingling (the noise-patterns of the light-streaks), the "auditory" tingling (in form of whistling), sometimes even a rich aroma (also giving off that tingling kind of nature). I kind of understand that they seem to come from a single field that has this vibrating quality, I'm not sure how to express it... So that's the reason why I keep switching around. Maybe it's a misconception, so I wish to clarify here.

[Jhanananda]

I'm making the sound jhana-nimitta an object of meditation currently.

I believe that you will find that this is a wise choice. I hope that you find it as useful for deep meditation, and as comforting, as I do.

I realize that I've done something similar with the visual charism before. I was told to imagine a circular spot of white/red/blue/yellow/fire/water/earth/air/space/light and then simply just hold my attention on it. One day it expanded and filled my whole vision. It only happened once though, so I wasn't able to replicate it. I think I read it in the kasina article as well.

Most of my senses produce charismatic phenomena, so I use them all as a multisensory meditation object at once.  It might take some time for you to develop the skill, but if you embrace all of the charisms at once, then you are likely to find even greater depth in meditation, as well as greater comfort and fulfillment.

A problem I find when meditating on the sound is that it does gradually become slightly louder, but not that much louder. It definitely isn't tinnitus because I watched your video/read the article and the sound isn't imbalanced. It seems to come from both the centre of the head (as if I had headphones on) yet from everywhere around me.

Well, then it certainly sounds like sounds like charismatic sound to me.

I read somewhere that this sound came from the crown chakra, how true is this statement?

It is possible, but it sounds like a fantastic explanation, and religion is all about fantastic explanations, but I do not need one.  All of the senses seem to have a charismatic component, and I have read elsewhere that they are parallel senses that we have on the immaterial domains.  This seems like a reasonable explanation to me, especially since the charismatic senses increase in intensity as we approach the immaterial domains.

I also find that I'm having trouble finding the right grip. I tried to find a metaphor that would work and I thought of grasping a jelly, not too soft or tight. I was trying to find the good spot but subconsciously I seemed to tense too much when I focused on the sound, getting a little headache. I was able to get to the point where the visual and tactile charisms also appeared though.

Well, if you got a headache from trying to acquire the right grip upon your meditation object, then you did not get it, because it should be relaxing.  But, grasping a jelly, or a jelly fish, might work for you. 

The metaphors that worked best for me are riding a horse (I am from Arizona, after all), or learning to ballroom dance.  In the 90s I dated some women looking for x-wife #3, and took various partner dance classes.  I never got good at partner dancing though, but I saw that the same kind of grip that the lead has on his partner is needed for deep meditation.  So, take some riding lessons, or dance lessons to understand grip upon the meditation object.

Hmm, I understand that one can use the visual charism as a meditative object, but I was wondering if developing this skill is useful to conduct? For example, looking at a person's aura and determining the right words to say, right actions to take, etc?

One could use being aware of the immaterial senses as an extension of mindfulness, but going to a lot of trouble to read a person's aura could be just a distraction.

Sometimes I'm not too sure which charism I should meditate on. On some days I will use the visual, then I'll switch to tactile, then auditory. Is this counter-productive?

If it works for you to do this, then do it.  Otherwise if you can hold them all at once, then it might work for you.

From what I feel, these charisms seem to have this... unifying quality. Like the tingling (fuzziness), the "visual' tingling (the noise-patterns of the light-streaks), the "auditory" tingling (in form of whistling), sometimes even a rich aroma (also giving off that tingling kind of nature). I kind of understand that they seem to come from a single field that has this vibrating quality, I'm not sure how to express it... So that's the reason why I keep switching around. Maybe it's a misconception, so I wish to clarify here.

Yes, I find they scintillate.  The come from the immaterial domains, which some people call 'astral plane.'

[bodhimind]

I believe that you will find that this is a wise choice. I hope that you find it as useful for deep meditation, and as comforting, as I do.

It is. I find that I reach deep states very, very quickly. Also, it's almost as if I skip first/second jhana and go straight to the dizzy spell. Is skipping normal? I'm a little used to feeling bliss and then having it subside to the no-pain/pleasure equanimity.

Most of my senses produce charismatic phenomena, so I use them all as a multisensory meditation object at once.  It might take some time for you to develop the skill, but if you embrace all of the charisms at once, then you are likely to find even greater depth in meditation, as well as greater comfort and fulfillment.

Thank you for clarifying this, I will incorporate it into my practice.

The metaphors that worked best for me are riding a horse (I am from Arizona, after all), or learning to ballroom dance.  In the 90s I dated some women looking for x-wife #3, and took various partner dance classes.  I never got good at partner dancing though, but I saw that the same kind of grip that the lead has on his partner is needed for deep meditation.  So, take some riding lessons, or dance lessons to understand grip upon the meditation object.

Haha. It's funny how I've never ridden a horse despite so many stables available around here. I'll take your advice and see if I can incorporate that understanding better.

Yes, I find they scintillate.  The come from the immaterial domains, which some people call 'astral plane.'

Thank you for clarifying.

I'll work on it and fill in my progress soon.

[Jhanon]

Oh goody! You're asking some excellent questions. I'll lend my experience if it will help.

"Aura"
You're describing what most people call "aura." Unfortunately, this term has too much baggage and is usually only prescribed to living beings. But it is everywhere. If it is being seen around a physical object, then when the the physical object is moved, the "aura" will take a little bit longer to move with it. Which, noticing that "delay" alone contains tremendous amounts of insight into "time" and higher planes.

I just tried focusing and noticed the delay. Would this also describe how a leaf, when torn, retain its aura? (What do you think of Kirlian photography?)

I've never torn a leaf and watched how its aura changed. I became aware of Kirlian photography around the same time in my progress as you, but not enough to comment on it. I soon lost interest in it because the profound depth and breadth of meditative phenomena was so absorbing and fulfilling.

"Tracers"
Anyway, this "delay" causes a "tracer" effect (another term with baggage.) If you absorb into it enough, you'll see the most glorious light everywhere. It is quite profound the first time. I just taught a couple people how to see, or rather, notice "aura" this last week.

I see streaks of gold or purple (mainly purple) from my body. But mostly when the visual charism seems to appear, my vision itself becomes obscured by light. Is this normal?

The "aura" is, in my experience, the visual charism. As one absorbs deeper into it, they begin to see higher planes, which are experienced as brilliant light. As I mentioned in an earlier post, if I go to bed at 2am, I will almost always be blinded by light as I enter sleep. No, it isn't normal. It's extraordinary. But it's nothing to worry about

Learning to See "Aura" and Implications of It
One took an hour to learn, but had too much fetter of "skeptical doubt" and so is not convinced yet. The other learned in less than a minute, and happens to be my fiance--which was very revealing. It is amazing just how much one can know through what I guess I would call "holistic" insight. Meaning that one can see the big picture and thus understand the context of the smaller pictures.

Hmm, I understand that one can use the visual charism as a meditative object, but I was wondering if developing this skill is useful to conduct? For example, looking at a person's aura and determining the right words to say, right actions to take, etc?

I don't spend much time on developing the ability to "read" aura. I rely primarily on the intuitive insight stream and critical thinking for that. In my experience, it's faster and deeper. However, I have found attempting to "read" aura for friends has initiated streams of insight. But, they weren't "small" insights like "your color is purple, you must be spiritual." I tend to use the intuition as guide as to questions like "should I learn to read aura?"

Charisms as Refuge
Perhaps this could be one of the new "charismatic refuges" you use during certain situations, or should you find yourself unable to overcome aversion with the intensity of another charism.

As always, I do not claim to be an arahant nor have more experience than others on here, such as Jhananda. So, take my words as they are, but not "my word for IT." I have sincerely appreciated your posts. I really have. Thank you.

I've also appreciated your posts, they've helped me too.

Sometimes I'm not too sure which charism I should meditate on. On some days I will use the visual, then I'll switch to tactile, then auditory. Is this counter-productive?

Bouncing Around the Charisms
I experienced the same thing in your stage of experience. Personally, after I detected and intuited enough of the charisms to understand them in a more comprehensive way, I then chose one to stick with one main charism for formal meditation.

The Use of a Constant Charism
This is because I required a "constant" to enable observation of the stage changes. It's sort of like driving at a constant speed and watching cars pass you to determine how fast they are travelling. But it also enabled faster absorption, because the "constant" enabled study of the subtle mechanics of meditative absorption.

Anyway, for me, this constant was the tactile "tingling" charism. These days, I'm finding it most advantageous to marry the charisms which you already have the most development or affinity. Marrying them induces factors of enlightenment like Energy--which "unlocks" deeper attainment. I feel this is probably a lesser form of how Jhananda keeps all the senses in one field of consciousness. And for me to consider that is absolutely mind-blowing.

From what I feel, these charisms seem to have this... unifying quality. Like the tingling (fuzziness), the "visual' tingling (the noise-patterns of the light-streaks), the "auditory" tingling (in form of whistling), sometimes even a rich aroma (also giving off that tingling kind of nature). I kind of understand that they seem to come from a single field that has this vibrating quality, I'm not sure how to express it... So that's the reason why I keep switching around. Maybe it's a misconception, so I wish to clarify here.[/b]

Unification
As you can see in the above answers, and in other posts in which I have perhaps discussed it too extensively--yes, there is a unifying quality to the charisms. I call it "connecting the dots." In my personal experience, the charisms come together the higher into the form and formless levels you go. It's difficult for me to explain this, because they also begin connecting and synergizing at lower levels--such as "reading" aura, leading to stream of insight, and energy, which synergizes and takes you deeper in that very moment.

This topic of "Unification" has been treated, however incompletely, in a separate thread in which I tried to put it into words.

I only list Faculties and abilities/charisms which I've had enough direct personal experience with. I've left out many extraordinary abilities that I just don't know enough about. To make matters more difficult; as the Faculties develop and the individual reaches Samadhi 6-8, the Faculties merge together. Because this could be very confusing, for most Faculties, the development line will end simply with "OOB."

If this triggers insight for you, then you can visit the rest of the topic here: Jhanon's List of Supernatural Abilities

I suppose I would now say the qualities and charisms in the form levels of samadhi 1-4 begin to synergize with each other the more you learn to utilize them, which gives birth to more knowledge.

In the upper formless samadhi, it certainly seems they come together into "omni-omni", which for lack of a better term means "All is one." But I have only a handful of experiences with samadhi 6-8, unlike Jhananda. Even so, it certainly feels accurate.

[bodhimind]

I've never torn a leaf and watched how its aura changed. I became aware of Kirlian photography around the same time in my progress as you, but not enough to comment on it. I soon lost interest in it because the profound depth and breadth of meditative phenomena was so absorbing and fulfilling.

I think I suddenly understand why you lost interest in it, because I also did... I'm turning my attention more and more into the charisms.

The "aura" is, in my experience, the visual charism. As one absorbs deeper into it, they begin to see higher planes, which are experienced as brilliant light. As I mentioned in an earlier post, if I go to bed at 2am, I will almost always be blinded by light as I enter sleep. No, it isn't normal. It's extraordinary. But it's nothing to worry about

This is my experience too with the visual charism. I haven't been able to remain perfectly conscious during sleep though.

I don't spend much time on developing the ability to "read" aura. I rely primarily on the intuitive insight stream and critical thinking for that. In my experience, it's faster and deeper. However, I have found attempting to "read" aura for friends has initiated streams of insight. But, they weren't "small" insights like "your color is purple, you must be spiritual." I tend to use the intuition as guide as to questions like "should I learn to read aura?"

Could you shed some light on the insight stream? I'm trying to understand what it means. The rest of the charisms seem to be becoming more and more pronounced.

Does this mean that you suddenly get inspirations or insights into things? I was pondering about how people separate their experiences into duality and got to this conclusion that people are drawing mental boundaries the moment any mental object is created (the within and without).

Also, I'm having this very strange thought, as if this mind of mine ... is not mine. It's what is behind every person in the world... I'm also having this flash as if this mind of mine itself is the whole universe. I mean, there are millions, countless beings that I am sure do not have a physical body. And all of them have to somehow derive from this mind, right? I'm not sure but I'm getting this feeling as if this mind... or my mind... is the mind of the universe itself.

Bouncing Around the Charisms
I experienced the same thing in your stage of experience. Personally, after I detected and intuited enough of the charisms to understand them in a more comprehensive way, I then chose one to stick with one main charism for formal meditation.

The Use of a Constant Charism
This is because I required a "constant" to enable observation of the stage changes. It's sort of like driving at a constant speed and watching cars pass you to determine how fast they are travelling. But it also enabled faster absorption, because the "constant" enabled study of the subtle mechanics of meditative absorption.

Anyway, for me, this constant was the tactile "tingling" charism. These days, I'm finding it most advantageous to marry the charisms which you already have the most development or affinity. Marrying them induces factors of enlightenment like Energy--which "unlocks" deeper attainment. I feel this is probably a lesser form of how Jhananda keeps all the senses in one field of consciousness. And for me to consider that is absolutely mind-blowing.

Based on your advice, I'm sticking with the tactile, because I find that I'm not tensing up when I focus on the tactile. It also seems as if the auditory charism increases naturally when the tactile charism grows. It's not even as if I'm exerting focus on it, but just being aware of it. I keep feeling as if I'm like the universe itself, I don't know if this is some delusion.

Unification
As you can see in the above answers, and in other posts in which I have perhaps discussed it too extensively--yes, there is a unifying quality to the charisms. I call it "connecting the dots." In my personal experience, the charisms come together the higher into the form and formless levels you go. It's difficult for me to explain this, because they also begin connecting and synergizing at lower levels--such as "reading" aura, leading to stream of insight, and energy, which synergizes and takes you deeper in that very moment.

This topic of "Unification" has been treated, however incompletely, in a separate thread in which I tried to put it into words.

Yes this is what I'm experiencing...

I only list Faculties and abilities/charisms which I've had enough direct personal experience with. I've left out many extraordinary abilities that I just don't know enough about. To make matters more difficult; as the Faculties develop and the individual reaches Samadhi 6-8, the Faculties merge together. Because this could be very confusing, for most Faculties, the development line will end simply with "OOB."

If this triggers insight for you, then you can visit the rest of the topic here: Jhanon's List of Supernatural Abilities

I suppose I would now say the qualities and charisms in the form levels of samadhi 1-4 begin to synergize with each other the more you learn to utilize them, which gives birth to more knowledge.

In the upper formless samadhi, it certainly seems they come together into "omni-omni", which for lack of a better term means "All is one." But I have only a handful of experiences with samadhi 6-8, unlike Jhananda. Even so, it certainly feels accurate.

Yes it certainly does. I'm still stuck at the OOB phase though, I'm hoping I make a breakthrough soon.

I kind of have that strange feeling of "all is one" too, though I doubt my view is as deep as yours or Jhanananda yet. I'm hoping I'll reach that stage soon.