What was that?

Yesterday I accidentaly run into formless jhanas. After taking half hour walking meditation I could feel pressure on my nose which was really prodominant even when I sat. It moved between eyebrows and forhead. Eventually it vanished and my focus was on the whole body and mind with clear comprehension. But now I was more curious about time,space and awarness. The space turned to infinite. As it expanded more and more it turned to infinite awarness. After that something else happend and I cant tell whether it was nothingness or something else. My breath got shorter and shorter, as it almost ceased. I just wanted to get out of there to take some air. So I did it with will. After emerging my heart was beating fast and I took deep breath. It was like I had been running. It was really creepy and i bit scary.

After that I took walking meditation and when I sat, I went through the same pattern, exactly in order. But this time it wasnt as creepy as before, because I knew what to expect.

I really dont know what that is.
Anyone knows what it might be?

Sugato

Hmm... It sound like the 5th and 6th Jhana. And yet... I have never been scared by entering any state of samadhi... its usually a really pleasant experience. I will be curious too see what others think...

"Hmm... It sound like the 5th and 6th Jhana. And yet... I have never been scared by entering any state of samadhi... its usually a really pleasant experience. I will be curious too see what others think... "

Usually when I do vipassana I never enjoy any states. Cos I am really dis-embbeded and more curious and investigating, even though there was peacfulness in 4th 5th or 6th jhanas. However, when doing pure samadhi, I am the peacfulness or pleasanteness or what ever there might be.
Also, it wasnt the state that was scary, but when I almost couldnt breath anymore.

I have a couple of questions for you, Sugato:

1. How much control over this experience did you have? Could you stop the process or were you just along for the ride?

2. Did you at any time lose consciousness, blackout, anything like that?

"
I have a couple of questions for you, Sugato:

1. How much control over this experience did you have? Could you stop the process or were you just along for the ride?

2. Did you at any time lose consciousness, blackout, anything like that?

"

1. There was some control over it and I intetionally stopped the whole process to be able to breath.

2. I cant remember or I dont think so.

Today it was extremly fast to get there. This time it was different. It was more peaceful, luminous and nice. The breath was normal. It felt like there was nothing more to investigate. I was just waiting for the path and fruition to occur and couldnt enjoy the peacfulness at all. Of course it made me a little bit sad after.
Right now I dont feel for practicing any more.

Okay, so when you say "fast to get there" does that mean you went straight there? Or did you follow the jhanic arc up from first jhana? (Assuming this is indeed an experience of jhana.) What jhanas did you have access to before this new thing?

I usually dont notice jhanic arc, but I can tell that there were some pleasant feelings from beginning and changed quickly. The only jhana that I am 100% sure of before the new thing was 4th jhana.