Meditation blackouts?, experiences of a questionable nature Options

Lately, when in meditation, I have been experiencing something quite odd: when deep in meditation, I tend to have moments where I "blackout" or loose complete awareness of my environment. I am not thinking anything, but the experience is very 'bright' and positive; it isn't scary in the least. But when it does happen, it catches me by surprise, and that surprise jolts me out of the state. I have lost fair amounts of time in this state, but it feels like seconds. This has happened in zazen, Manjushri, and Kuan Yin meditation, for the sake of detail.

So, my real questions are, what could this state be? Do others experience it? If so, will you share some knowledge about it or thoughts on what it might be?

Any input is appreciated!

I got that when I made myself pass out once. I'm sure that statement sounds very unhelpful, but I'll go into detail.

In that state, I was alone - but there was no concept of alone. Everything was black - but I had no eyes to see with, to differentiate black from anything else, so it wasn't really black at all. I couldn't feel, see, taste, smell or touch anything. The only thing that existed in the universe at all was myself.

Quite an enjoyable experience for me... is that anything like what you were experiencing?

I didn't quite feel alone, because I was hardly aware of myself. I knew who I was and everything, but it felt like I was closing my eyes and looking at the sun (I know that is vauge). I just lost my body, but it wasn't an OOBE or anything... my consciousness didn't go anywhere. If anything, it went nowhere. Pretty much everytime I meditate, it happens. I don't always loose time, but I often do. It is serene to the umpteenth degree, but it wasn't all nirvana-esque. It feels like blissful moderation...not so much a void.

Nothingness with emotion... I am going to have to play with the concept a bit, I presume.

Sounds like some level of enlightenment, so far as I've heard it described.

See what you can learn from it, is my advice.

I experienced something similar when on drugs, I forgot everything including being on drugs and myself etc, and to the point of losing vision into blackness in away, when I'm on drugs I can't focus on my music even if it's distorted.

All I can say is my experience was similar but that doesn't make it the same at all, unless your high.

I can assure you that I am not high lol. I really haven't been meditating a great deal lately, but when I actually do this still happens. Maybe it is just the absence of thought, and my mind is unequipped to deal with the foreign concept of no-thought. Anyay, no matter what is ocurring, it really does soothe me so I can't complain.

When I meditate I get to the point of losing consciousness of sight but I don't notice any blackouts.

I would'nt say you have no thought, as you are conscious of your vision going blank, that takes conscious thought.

it's possible your brain is wired up weirdly, which is super cool!.

I've had similar experiences, especially when intoning the IAEOU vibrations. It might just be low blood pressure, but once I've cleared my mind and go through them, opening five chakras for every vowel (a simplification of the Tantric chakras I use) I start to black-out; I've passed out a few times (which can hurt if there's a make-shift altar under your shins). They are intense black-outs (similar to those you can get after the Death Posture). Either way, I've learnt to include them as a part of induction into the 'sacred' from the mundane... or I just avoid vibrating i, a, e, o or u. Works every time.

This post has been edited by Alekhine: Jul 12 2005, 09:21 AM

I too have experienced what you call your "blackouts." Nothing seems to exist around you, it's all very nice, and it does tend to jolt me out of my meditation. I have never been able to astral project (I do need help on that) and I always thought that if I would become more "aware" at that point that I would astral project. I almost think of it as some sort of barrier that I need to break through.

It seems you have not been able to discern what it is. For accurate judgment of any situation, clarity of mind is a must which comes through holistic food, breathing exercises and holy mantras. It seems to me that apparent negativities that you encounter are a prelude to some good spiritual experience waiting itself to reveal to you.