Anatta's case history

[Jhanananda]

About a month ago, I had my first OOBE that was visual, and wasn't just a moment of vertigo or a limb or head "movement" that wasn't movement.  During meditation, I momentarily found myself at a place on a path I regularly jog, near a pizza joint. 

This might have been remote viewing, or possibly and OOBE.

Besides that it could be said that jogging is a kind of movement meditation for me where I'm connected in mind-body-breath and experience some charisms,

Yes, I find the descriptions of the runner's high sounds like moving meditation going to depths of the 1st or second stage.

this particular place doesn't hold any special significance for me.  It felt like a dream; however, colors were brighter and the entire experience was more vibrant and had a golden hue.  I could even discern the approximate time of day, because of how shadows were cast from the trees.  The time of day was about the same as was "real time" for my body in meditation.  It only lasted a "blip."  I've had a few other OOBEs since that time.

Then, about a week ago, I was jogging along the same path, the OOBE experience not at all on my mind, nor had it been for quite some time.  Something moving along the asphalt caught my eye.  At first, I assumed it was a blowing leaf, as it was approximately that size and moving in that manner, but when I jogged past it, I noticed there wasn't anything there at all, except for a "shimmer."  It was clear, but looked like someone had dropped a pebble into my consciousness in that spot, and ripples were vibrating from it.  Yet, it was still scampering along.

All of this lasted only about a second in length.  By the time this second was over and I realized I'd seen something significant, I'd run past it, but turned around to see if there was anything in that moment for me.

That's when I realized: the spot of the rippling was in the same place on the path as my OOBE a few weeks previous.  There were the same trees, and the pizza joint.

I'd love to hear any insight into the significance of this time differential between similar experiences.

Interesting.  Perhaps there is an element of precognition taking place for you.  Perhaps someday this place will hold some significance for you.

[Anatta]

Thank you, Jhananda.  I now consider that my experience was remote viewing and not an OOBE.

It will be interesting to see if that location becomes more prominent in my life at some point in the future.  I'll try to let go of any expectation around it, though, so as not to unintentionally will it to be.

[Jhanananda]

Yes, please do let us know if anything comes of your insight into that location.

[Anatta]

In a recent meditation, I had an experience where I saw a membrane of organic tissue stretched out in front of me in a space that was fleshy-colored.  There was a moment of pause and watching, to see what this was supposed to show me or what what action was needed.  Then the self swam forward and broke through the tissue, and was wrapped up in a nurturing cocoon.  Afterward, there was a feeling of peace and accomplishment and rest.

It seemed to me that it was a witness of my own conception; i.e., sperm meeting egg.  Does this seem plausible? 

It may be significant that I worked with pregnancy and childbirth for many years recently, but haven't done so for about a year, so it's not often on my mind so much that it seemed a fabrication.

[Anatta]

Another recent meditation experience.  Actually, two related meditation experiences. 

In them, I saw the same woman.  This is not a person I recognize.  She was about 60 years old, attractive, with very short grey hair that was originally blonde, and had red-framed glasses.  The setting seemed of a current time-frame. 

In the first, she was sitting on a couch near a man who was of the approximate same age, also grey-blonde, with short hair and a beard.  They were looking at me, and it was as if I were viewing the scene through a pair of eyes from a body to whom they were engaging in a pleasant conversation who was sitting in a chair facing their couch.  I did not hear any sounds and don't know what they were discussing.

In the second, she was in a meditation hall, and was sitting one row in front of me and one position to the right.  She was facing ahead and did not turn to see me but I could see the side of her face.  Our eyes were open and we seemed to be receiving instruction or dhamma from someone at the front of the room.

The appearances were in two separate meditation sits, a day apart.

I will be keeping aware to see if I come across this woman in real life, or in future meditation, and to see if there is a significance to her, or if there is an indication we should share discourse of some kind.

I often have strangers' faces appear to me in deep meditation, but I have not had the same face that I can recall, or at least not so close together.

[Jhanananda]

It seemed to me that it was a witness of my own conception; i.e., sperm meeting egg.  Does this seem plausible? 

This seems reasonably plausible, especially considering your past career in childbirth training.

I am reminded of a line in the Yoga Sutras where it says something to the effect of being able to expand or contract at will.  I found I have expanded my awareness to the size of the galaxy, and down into the atom to observe these structures operate.  So, you could observe how human fertilization works.

Recording your second post, insight can bring to us insight into future events, so it is good to record these insights in a journal.  Perhaps one day far in the future this insight will become relevant.

[Anatta]

I've always been empathetic. It seems awakening has amplified these abilities. This will be good in the long-term, I think, because I will be able to discern how to help someone more easily. But I am finding challenges. Usually I am a levelheaded person, but lately that hasn't entirely been the case. My theory right now is that I am taking on others' emotions more than usual. Sometimes it is not even clear whose emotions I am taking on. And in the process, my judgment on how to help others is not hitting the mark. I either need to hone my skill on sitting with the flood of emotion and it being okay, or releasing it in some way, or protecting from not taking it on.

I wonder if anyone else has dealt with this challenge, and how it was resolved?

[Jhanananda]

I either need to hone my skill on sitting with the flood of emotion and it being okay, or releasing it in some way, or protecting from not taking it on.

I wonder if anyone else has dealt with this challenge, and how it was resolved?

Oh, yes, I found when I became charismatic I felt all of the pain of the world, which nearly drove me crazy.  When I went to the grocery store I would just break down crying at random intervals, or while driving the car.

You are right-on about the solution.  Sitting with the flood of emotions without it affecting one, is precisely what equanimity is.  We get equanimity from consistently meditating to the depth of the 3rd level.  Equanimity is exactly what we need.

[Anatta]

Thank you. It appears I'll just keep on keepin' on, then.

If I'm consistently meditating past 3rd, would it be advised to stay at third until I settle, or would it be best to continue progression? I have only on a couple of occasions attained 7th, but 5th is where I tend to land consistently. (This is based on Jhanon's interpretations. I haven't described those experiences here.)

[Jhanananda]

I am all for depth in meditation, so, Anatta, go for it.

[Sam Lim]

If I'm consistently meditating past 3rd, would it be advised to stay at third until I settle, or would it be best to continue progression? I have only on a couple of occasions attained 7th, but 5th is where I tend to land consistently. (This is based on Jhanon's interpretations. I haven't described those experiences here.)

Don't know about others interpretation of the 5th Jhana. My definition of it, is during meditation I have OOBE. It happened during the third month of meditation. I must stress the importance of the fourth jhana though. Equanimity is essential when one is in the fifth and beyond. I am very glad of your progress. Keep it up.

[Anatta]

Yes, I have OOBEs usually in meditation.  Though I've been a meditator for many years, this has only happened through assistance of Jhanon's wisdom and experience.

I quite enjoy the 4th Jhana, paradoxically, as it is so....empty