Hi all. New to the board, pretty new to the path. I meditated daily for about a year, quit for a while, and I'm now getting back into the habit with more of a focus on the Dharma than I had before. 
My sessions have been pretty unremarkable. I've got a good level of concentration but have never experienced the first jhana. What i have experienced, though, was an entire day of spine-tingling chills that would encompass my whole body and give me goosebumps. I used to be Kemetic orthodox and would often get the same chills when praying, so I know they're a positive, spiritual sign. 
I guess what I'd like to know is, how common is this? What could it signify specifically?
Also, I'm looking for a good friend who can help me along this path. Where should I start? To whom do I turn to?

Much appreciated.

Hi Rebecca 

I sometimes get that whole body chills/goosebumps effect too - historically it has happened when in the company of Dharma friends who I have a strong connection with, or when in the presence of certain teachers.

I’m not sure what it means, but I’ve always felt it was a positive thing. 

Cheers
A

Thanks for your reply Anna. I see the chills as a good thing too. Perhaps some subtle entity paid me a visit.
I forgot the password for the account I created yesterday, so I suppose this will be my account from now on.

Hi Rebecca,

Welcome to the DhO!

The experience you describe sounds like it might be piti, which is well described in the Vishuddhimagga, a 5th century Sri Lankan meditation text. Wikipedia has a good article on piti here.

Hope that helps.

The heart/mind when excited, filled with love/gratitude/reverence or encountering a positive spiritual thought, will cause the body to react in the manner you have experienced. I wouldn't go fantasizing about some entity and would summon mindfulness to explore how I can use this knowledge of how heart/mind conditions the body to explore the jhanas or deeper concentration. 

This is a good place to start: www.leighb.com/jhana3.htm

Coincidentally I was doing some research this morning and came across this on page 269 of Mahasi Sayadaw's 'Manual of Insight.'

"Sometimes you may get goose bumps or a chill may run up your back or through your whole body. You needn't be afraid of this; it's just rapture brought on by your meditation."

So, there you go! 

Lovely. Lots of good insight everyone. Thank you!