Post by jhananda on Oct 25, 2009 12:26:22 GMT -5
Ecstatic or charismatic meditation is meditation that leads to altered states of consciousness that are ecstatic and charismatic. Ecstatic altered states of consciousness are transcendental experiences in which through the practice of meditation and the leading of a contemplative life one finds oneself in an altered state of consciousness that is blissful and joyful. These states are called the first and second jhana in early Buddhism.
Charismatic altered states of consciousness are deeper than Ecstatic altered states of consciousness. They are characterized by blissful and joyful altered state of consciousness that also include various charismatic phenomena.
Charismatic phenomena:
Charismatic phenomena are also called a ‘charisms’ in Christianity. Charisms are apparent sensory phenomena that do not originate from sensory stimulation, so they cannot be recorded by any electro-mechanical means. These apparent sensory phenomena can arise in anyone or more of the senses
1) Pleasant tactile sensations on the surface of the body are a common Charismatic phenomena. The tactile sensations tend to correspond to the aura, charkas and acupuncture meridian system. The Christian halo is the same as the Hindu crown chakra.
2) There is also the charism of sound, which tends to arise for some advanced contemplatives. The charism of sound tends to manifest in a range of sounds that do not originate from sensory stimulation. The sounds range from the sound of crickets or cicadas, to the sound of wind or a waterfall, to a high frequency ring or chirp.
3) Charismatic visual phenomena can arise during meditation. These phenomena can be anything from luminous spheres, scintillating colors to the visual appearance of past spiritual teachers.
4) Charismatic olfactory phenomena can also arise during meditation. These phenomena are generally pleasant smells, such as the smell of cedar, sandalwood, or roses.
5) Charismatic gustatory phenomena can also arise during meditation. These phenomena are generally pleasant tastes, such as the taste of honey, ghe or other pleasant tastes.
6) Charismatic kinesthetic phenomena can also arise during meditation. These phenomena are generally pleasant sensations of floating or travel during meditation. These phenomena are called levitation, Out-of-Body Experiences, Astral Traveling, or in a Christian context it would be called a ‘rapture.’
7) There is another charism that does not fall within the class of a particular sensory domain. It manifests as a powerful surge of energy that rises up the spine during meditation is called ‘kundalini’ in Sanskrit. It is also called the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a Christian context.
Schools of meditation that do not recognize these phenomena are called “Stoic” contemplative schools. Since the Stoic contemplative schools do not recognize these phenomena, then we can say that their method does not lead to charisms.
Charismatic altered states of consciousness are deeper than Ecstatic altered states of consciousness. They are characterized by blissful and joyful altered state of consciousness that also include various charismatic phenomena.
Charismatic phenomena:
Charismatic phenomena are also called a ‘charisms’ in Christianity. Charisms are apparent sensory phenomena that do not originate from sensory stimulation, so they cannot be recorded by any electro-mechanical means. These apparent sensory phenomena can arise in anyone or more of the senses
1) Pleasant tactile sensations on the surface of the body are a common Charismatic phenomena. The tactile sensations tend to correspond to the aura, charkas and acupuncture meridian system. The Christian halo is the same as the Hindu crown chakra.
2) There is also the charism of sound, which tends to arise for some advanced contemplatives. The charism of sound tends to manifest in a range of sounds that do not originate from sensory stimulation. The sounds range from the sound of crickets or cicadas, to the sound of wind or a waterfall, to a high frequency ring or chirp.
3) Charismatic visual phenomena can arise during meditation. These phenomena can be anything from luminous spheres, scintillating colors to the visual appearance of past spiritual teachers.
4) Charismatic olfactory phenomena can also arise during meditation. These phenomena are generally pleasant smells, such as the smell of cedar, sandalwood, or roses.
5) Charismatic gustatory phenomena can also arise during meditation. These phenomena are generally pleasant tastes, such as the taste of honey, ghe or other pleasant tastes.
6) Charismatic kinesthetic phenomena can also arise during meditation. These phenomena are generally pleasant sensations of floating or travel during meditation. These phenomena are called levitation, Out-of-Body Experiences, Astral Traveling, or in a Christian context it would be called a ‘rapture.’
7) There is another charism that does not fall within the class of a particular sensory domain. It manifests as a powerful surge of energy that rises up the spine during meditation is called ‘kundalini’ in Sanskrit. It is also called the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a Christian context.
Schools of meditation that do not recognize these phenomena are called “Stoic” contemplative schools. Since the Stoic contemplative schools do not recognize these phenomena, then we can say that their method does not lead to charisms.
