On Mystical Experiences (Or Not)

[rsadelle]

When I settled in to meditate one day the weekend before last, I had the sudden something - thought? sensation? memory? - of someone laying a red blanket over me. My thought process went something like this: "You're only thinking of that because when we meditate in class, it's after yoga nidra (deep relaxation), so you have your (red) yoga blanket draped over your lap. This is why I'll never have a mystical experience. I'll just explain it away as something rational. I just read something about how you can't desire mystical experiences." And then I reminded myself to let go of all the thoughts and focused back on my mantra. And then I forgot about it. I only remembered that night when I went to bed and was lying under my warm, fuzzy, and, yes, red blanket. And then I thought, "Did that really happen, or did I just imagine the whole thing?" So. Mystical experience? Random firing of neurons? Memories brought on by cold? I don't know.