| | Hi folks,
Many years ago, I took up Transcendental Meditation. Although I didn't really interact with the community afterward, I kept up with the meditation on and off for years, as I found it very beneficial. Using the simple, mantra-based TM technique, I had a variety of intriguing experiences, but one overshadowed them all. Recently, I have begun studying Buddhism and Buddhist meditation, partly in the hopes of putting that experience (and others) within a framework of some kind. Daniel Ingram's book led me here, so here I am!
To describe the experience: this happened many years ago, during a period of very regular practice (twice a day for 20 minutes, like clockwork). Basically, I was gone for a short time (maybe 20 minutes?) with no awareness to speak of, and I think my breathing had slowed down to the point of stopping. My first recollection, adjacent to this "gap" was...as if I were being slowly drawn up out of the blackest depths of an ocean (this experience not being unpleasant in the least) into light/consciousness and watching the component elements (ie. - concepts and individual memories) of my mind reintegrate one at a time, much like small rocks floating in space, being drawn into a gravity well, and forming the planet that was my mind...if that imagery makes sense. Specific examples of these "components" that I can recall (and I hope this doesn't sound too odd) include a toy I had as a child, and the general idea of a toaster (as opposed to a specific toaster from memory). In the aftermath, For two or three days afterward,I was mentally super-charged, my mind buzzed, experiences were very intense, to the point that I didn't feel 100% safe to drive, because the colour of objects beside the road were so bright and absorbing. In spite of periods of regular practice since, I have never had a similar experience of that depth.
In reading Buddhist texts and commentary, I see descriptions that sound accurate...partly, and I would like to think that I experienced some corner of the formless realms, but I don't want to jump to any grandiose conclusions, which is why I would appreciate some objective feedback.
Your considered opinions would be much appreciated.
many thanks, Patrick |