I like meditating. It's like an experiment. Only thing is that instead of a lab you are in the meditation hall or your room or where ever and instead of equipment you are using whatever objects that come into your minds eye, be it a physical sensation or a mental object. Also like in an experiment, you put the necessary conditions, ingredients together and wait to see what's going to happen....you don't make the reaction happen...you just wait for it to happen no matter what it is; maybe nothing happens, maybe something happens but whatever it is it contributes to your understanding......this is just like what happens in meditation.
A couple of weeks ago, as I sat in meditation I experienced something fascinating. I have heard of such experiences but never felt it, like I felt it twice in two successive days.
First day, I had finished my meditation and it was a very peaceful sitting. I decided to listen to some deep Dhamma from a recent retreat I attended. Then I felt like meditating again. So I continued sitting for another little while. After finishing...I just lied on the bed and was relaxing because it was still pretty peaceful. I was still watching my mind and movements. I remember very clearly this thought coming into my mind "hungry" along with that I felt the saliva glands in my mouth start watering...they just started pouring out like water from a spring. Then I got excited because I realised that I (or whatever it was) just witnessed the rising and a falling of a phenomena. There was no involvement of "I". It was just a sheer unfolding of things. But I remember a 'watching". A clear "knowing". There was just the "knowing" of the thought arising and ceasing and then the physical movement arsing in the mouth and ceasing of it. Then I got excited. It was just out of this world.
It was so subtle but just wondrous. Just so unintrusive. Just a swift, gentle unfolding of a process. But there was the "knowing".
Then the second day. It was early morning on a Wednesday. I go to work. But I teach at a Church to illiterate women. I go early and go into the chapel and meditate for about 20-30 minutes. It very quiet because at that time there is no one there. So, this day too I had a good meditation. It was very peaceful and quiet (my mind). I decided to just sit with my eyes closed and just watch things as they rise and fall.
Again it happened. But this time it was "open eye' followed by my eyes being opened. It was wonderful. Again there was the "knowing" of the thought "open eyes" almost an "intention"an "impetus" to open eyes. It wasn't a command. It was an "intention'...like a 'push' and then when that fell aside came the physical sensation of the eyes opening. Oh! again I was just "what was that?!" Of course, along with the question, I also knew what it was. I didn't need any verification. I just knew what I experienced what the rising and the falling of phenomena.
It was wonderful. I haven't experienced any since. I don't expect to either. But just those too was for me is enough for the moment to arise such faith and confidence in the Dhamma. I am astounded in the Buddha's teachings all over again. He is just an incredible teacher. After all these years (I mean not just 100 years this is after almost 26 centuries) a disciples of his can still tap into the teaching and still (if they strive and have perhaps also good karma) can feel the Dhamma in its purity. How beautiful!
I just wanted to write the blog. Of course I would never forget this experience. How can I? Such experiences are hard to forget. They are too unique and they bring with them a sense of liberation, a sense of joy that nothing in this world can ever come closer to even bringing....so of course I will not forget....but I am human after all. So, I will write this down.
May I continue to be inspired by the Buddha's teachings as long as I live. My I continue to follow his teachings as long as I live. May I continue with determination and genuine effort practice the Dhamma, for without a day of Dhamma in my life, it will not be lived to it's full potential.
Blessings to all my teachers, my parents and my husband for supporting me as I travel this Noble Eight Fold Path!
