[MD] Intellect's Symposium

[John Carl]

I'm not a religious person either Marsha, but boy what you describe sure
seems like what religious people seek, that annihilation of self, that
feeling of non-cognitive control, the euphoria.

It seem  very similar to an experience people seek in church when they're
"caught up in the spirit" babbling in an unknown tongue, fainting, or
engaging in a charismatic service - a  non-verbal, non-cognitive experience
which, without words or concepts confirms in their being a reality they
don't normally experience.

 I never sought it out, I'm too verbal.  I like my own train of thought, I'm
attached to cognition and I've often wondered why "solitary confinement" is
considered a punishment.  I'd think in prison it'd be nothing but relief to
get away from everybody for a while.



> John,
>
> I'm not a religious person and have no idea what a religious experience
> would be.
>
> For weeks it felt like something was going to happen, like my mind was
> squinting, or something, and then it happened.  It was visual.  I was seeing
> but their were no thoughts in my head, but I was aware.  It was seeing, but
> not seeing anything.   It lasted about 5 minutes, no less, but I don't know
> for sure.  I was flabbergasted because it was so obvious.  OMG, unpatterned
> experience!!!  Or, OMG I was totally aware without thinking.  And then I
> began not to believe my own experience, so I did on my own.  Naturally, I
> was excited.  The next day I did it again of my own volition.  I was
> overjoyed, of course.  It was wonderful.  It was amazing.  I tried it again
> about a week later, and made it happen, but I haven't tried it since, which
> is sad.  Life interfered, or more probably I'm lazy and ungrateful.  But it
> was "real".  Yet it's no big deal; it's what naturally happens.  I guess.
>  Oh, I don't know; I don't know anything.
>
> I do not often enough sit in meditation, but do try to keep a mindfulness
> throughout my day.  I think there is a relationship, but I'm guessing.  I
> had a very formal meditation practice for a few years and was able to watch
> my thoughts.  I have no trouble saying that's watching patterns flicker
> through mind, and that is why I go on about Quality (unpatterned experience
> and patterned experience); both have been experienced.
>

Well, I guess I'm too metaphysically picky, like I said before.  Because I
see what you describe as "differently patterned" experience.  "non-normal
patterns of experience" rather than "UNpatterned".  But I do understand
better now what you mean by the term, and this helps my understanding.
 Thanks.





> Maybe you'll think I have just described indigestion.  Maybe if I hadn't
> had such experiences I'd think the same thing.
>
>
> unMarsha
>
>

Nah, I've seen people in the throes of non-cognitive religious ecstasy at
rock concerts and certain worship services, it's way different than
indigestion.  I believe you.


differentJohn