2. Trying to fully comprehend Buddhist cosmology and after death states. For example, in Buddhism there are the four noble ones:
I. Streamwinner (can only be reborn in human world or higher)
II. Once-returner (once more as a human)
III. Nonreturner (reborn in heavenly world)
IV. Arahant (enlightenment)
Based on the above, when one attains nonreturning one is reborn in the heavenly worlds. Though this raises several questions. In Buddhism, nonreturners don't return to lower worlds. But this seems to contradict the idea that higher world existence is impermanent; that the devas can descend to lower states of existence. Does this mean that one can be reborn in higher worlds just due to virtue or good karma, but without the quest for liberation?
3. The OOB state is making me reconsider what the definition of "enlightenment" is. It seems many people have these OOB experiences with no interest in religious-philosophical questions. It makes me recall the Buddhist sutra I mentioned earlier - when the Buddha said one might go OOB but not be enlightened. Though the experience necessarily results in a dramatic change of views, the question arises: are all those who have OOBEs enlightened? Or can one have these experiences and not be?
4. This raises the question: what is enlightenment? This is such a hard question to answer; scouring all of Christianity and many of the world's religions and philosophies there are few answers. The best we have likely lies in Buddhism, relying on the fetters to judge progress:
I. Overcome
- Identity view
- Attachment to rites and rituals
- Doubt about the teachings
II. Weakened
- Sensual desire
- Ill will
III. Overcome
- Sensual desire
- Ill will
IV. Overcome
- Attachment to form based existence
- Attachment to formless existence
- Conceit
- Restlessness
- Ignorance
This then raises the further question: can one be enlightened and not have the OOBE? Though it is unlikely one could fully overcome ignorance or the desire for existence with or without form without it.
Log
Experiments this week were mostly unsuccessful.
5/2 Attempted to repeat the "WBTB" experience using the "bladder method." This time I consciously tried to drink a lot of fluid to wake up in the middle of the night. Woke up at 11 AM (drank too much). No results.
5/3 A second attempt with the "bladder method." Woke up at 5 AM (drank too little). No results.
5/4 Last attempt with "bladder method." Woke up at 4 AM. Interrupted dreaming. I was in a "dreamlike" consciousness with many images spontaneously flowing. I only make note of this as it is mentioned as being significant by some OOB writers. Very hard to keep the body motionless and relaxed. No results.
5/5 It seems like I am wasting too many days with the bladder method. This time I set the alarm clock for 3 AM. I woke up then and a few other times in the night. The early awakenings were very stressful; high drowsiness and restlessness. Woke up at 4 AM and was able to be motionless and relaxed with the aid of music for about 20 minutes. No results. I am questioning if it would be prudent to physically get up or give the mind some time to reorient itself before making the meditation attempt.
1. Remembering more and having more entries for the dream log. Though I am likely still forgetting much.
2. It seems that the mind goes through phases during sleep:
https://i.imgur.com/S7DFLAk.jpg
[A chart showing the non-REM and REM phases of sleep]
According
to one sleep scientist the brain enters dream-sleep several times in the night.
That means when one recalls things for the log it is likely only from that last
dream-phase. At the same time it is comforting as it means I am not forgetting
many hours worth of dreams - most of the night is not spent dreaming.
3. Much of the dream content is nonsensical; like low value flotsam, it consists of images and information from media, TV, etc. It is just disappointing this is what my unconscious spends its time engaged with.
4. After reading Monroe's account of the "vibration" state I am becoming more conscious of it as a possible phenomenon. Have felt a couple occasional tingles now and then over the past weeks, often emerging when in a relaxed state. Though, they do not deepen to anything. It could just as well be imagination.
3. Much of the dream content is nonsensical; like low value flotsam, it consists of images and information from media, TV, etc. It is just disappointing this is what my unconscious spends its time engaged with.
4. After reading Monroe's account of the "vibration" state I am becoming more conscious of it as a possible phenomenon. Have felt a couple occasional tingles now and then over the past weeks, often emerging when in a relaxed state. Though, they do not deepen to anything. It could just as well be imagination.
