| | I had an amazing series of experiences recently that I'd like to share and get feedback on from any who have had similar experiences or thoughts about what happened. I practice vipassana/insight meditation. 30 mins in the morning 5 days a week, 60 minutes 2 days a week.
First occurrence, about a month ago: I sat for 30 minutes, and it started out a very normal sit--various distracting thoughts, tunes stuck in my head, what have you. I'm not sure where it started--I was doing a light body scan, noting various muscle tension, releasing mental attachment to it--when I noticed a sensation something like the room spinning. That's not exactly it--kind of like being in a centrifuge, like an ethereal wind blowing through me. I have felt this before; noted it as somewhat amusing and let it go. This time, however, triggered by whatever impulse, I thought about letting this ethereal wind "take" me wherever it would, letting it efface me, letting myself disintegrate as it blew through me. The sensation amplified, transforming into this surge that I felt throughout my body, my entire nervous system tingling. It was, frankly, one of the most intense sensations I have ever had. More intense than an orgasm. Each breath I took amplified the sensation to new heights. It was intoxicating. As I let myself relax further into the sensation, allowing it to take me wherever it would, the thought skittered across my mind that this is what dying feels like (I do not believe this to be objectively true, just another miscellaneous distracting thought). I became apprehensive. I realized my sit was surely coming to an end, and I noticed feeling torn between wanting to ride this wave as long as possible (for hours, if I could) and, on the other hand, my alarm about to go off, needing to go to work, etc. I let these feelings go and I brought my attention to two anchors: my spine, which was the only part of my body that felt stationary and solid, and the sound of something mechanical in the background. The sensation stopped intensifying, but also did not subside, it simply plateaued, where I resided for another few minutes. I remained entranced in the sensation I described, and it did not give way, until my alarm went off and I chose to leave it all behind... I sat dazed for a minute, and my spine still tingled for a good 30 minutes afterward. I have no idea whether there is any meaning to attach to this experience, but I do know that it was simply astonishing.
Since then I have had similar experiences, but lighter and less intense. Not every time I sit, but with some regularity. Feedback appreciated! |