Guardians of the quarantine doesnt seem infallible

[Steppingfeet]

There are different types of experiences in meditation. The satori is an experience that 'sticks' - you inherit something, it becomes integrated in such a way as to always suggest the road to the self, regardless of circumstances. Sure you still have the mental patterning and misunderstandings to balance (which is a 'good thing' because that still gives you catalyst and determination), but they do not have the same impact - you know that which is possible. You now 'know', in an undiminished manner, which has become an essential part of you, that which is 'eternal' and supporting - like a 'guide star' is there. Or rather, symbolically, you have become the 'star' or the lotus.

So a satori is transformational rather than a peak behind the curtain.

What you say correlates greatly with my understanding of the so-called road to realization. The outer personality is not erased - there is still and may forever be work to do on that level - but vasanas (past habits, mental conditioning, mechanisms with their own life and momentum) as you say don't quite have such an impact any longer. In other words, a sense of self is not derived from the movement of these energies because the locus of consciousness has merged more closely with the formless.

I do notice myself less moved by outer catalyst and more able to smile at the workings of the mind, but i'm still swept up in its shenanigans not infrequently. : )

That's exactly what happened - there was no separation from anything. But I felt like everything, I mean everything that was emerging in the moment was a part of me. So you think to yourself, 'what can I 'do' now?' To be honest, I thought everything was so 'holy' or existing in 'perfection' (as I sat there in awe), that I didn't want to change things.

Momentarily your consciousness knew my deeper identity, our deeper identity, everyone's deeper identity. To apply relative qualifying words to the unqualifiable, that is incredibly awesome.

: ) GLB