The nature of insight

For example, I think I made the necessary distinctions to carry me to the dark night during the retreat. I didn't have an "Ah" moment because I wasn't looking for something specific. Most likely the daily evening talks during the retreat and instruction helped in pointing out the distinctions I made during the meditation.

So yes, I think, it seems that we can progress all the way to equanimity and may be beyond, without having an "Ah" moment, but we need to make the necessary distinctions nevertheless.

Having someone pointing the distinctions out to us is important as it's possible to stare at something for a long time without seeing what is obvious.

This might also explain how we could have different, or even contradictory, maps that are based on the same experience. The experiences are like the Necker Cube, could be distinguished in different ways, exclusive in their interpretation but each of them is possible.

That's what I think... at least for now

Amr