What comes after meditation

So after I was putting my meditation chair away, the leader mentioned a few of the group were getting together for dinner after class. "Really?", I questioned. "Where?" The leader responded with the name of a popular wings and beer chain in the area. Somehow this did not jive with my preconceived ideas about where a serious meditation student would eat, but I wasn't about to complain.
     As we sat around the table and placed our drink orders, I noticed I was the only one who ordered an alcoholic beverage. Oh, yeah, it's in the Buddhist precepts, that you should not take intoxicants, since it ruins your meditation. Not off to a good start...

Seventh Group

 
    "We are having an English speaking venerable tonight", cheered the leader. "But first I have a handout to help prepare questions for the venerable after the meditation." I scanned the article which was about some of the more mystical elements of meditation and previous/next lives and then prepared for the meditation. The venerable walked down the carpet to the podium, bowed to the statue of the Buddha and took his seat facing the class. His English was so-so, and he occasionally required translation from some members, but the guided instructions were quite clear. As I folded myself into the half lotus position, straightened my back and took a deep breath, I noticed my body was becoming accustomed to this posture. The myriad aches and pains were either gone, or had decreased in intensity. As a drifted deeper into the meditative state, I found myself again searching for light, but it was going to be difficult yet again.

1

It's getting weird

Back again in the US, it's time for the sixth group meeting I've attended. The leader, until now, has managed to focus on the benefits of meditation without getting too mystical. Tonight however, things are about to change. It begins with alternate universes, being able to see the past, seeing your past lives and the reincarnation rules. If you are bad in this life, you might, at worst, come back as a spirit without a body, and an ugly, scary one at that. We hear a little about super powers of the monks. The ability of the Buddha to describe the size of the atom and other observations. 
     On a less mystical note, I have made some observations as well. Since the last meeting I have done a little research, and found the photos which are routinely snapped as we are meditating are showing up on facebook. Wow, its me, meditating. Why am I hunched over? I need to work on my posture.

Singapore

After the plane trip I settled into life in my hotel room in Singapore. Here I was, the other side of the world, putting my clothes away and contemplating meditation. I leaned my back against the bed, crossed my legs and went through my steps to reach a meditative state. The long plane ride and thoughts about the days ahead, didn't make it easy, but I did garner some satisfaction from the practice. You know you are committed when you are willing to meditate on a business trip.

Plane Meditation

Since my failed attempt to see light at the last group meditation, I had tried to make progress at home. No luck. I was also preparing for a week long trip to Singapore. I would have to try meditating away from group and home. My first attempt was on the plane. Normally, I would have had a few drinks, taken an Ambien and fallen to sleep. This time I lightly closed my eyes and walked through my steps to enter a deeper meditative state. My progress wasn't bad, but not as good as my group results.

5th Group

The afterglow of the light experience stayed with me all week. I was excited to head back to class to try again. Unfortunately I didn't get close at all. I tried all sorts of tricks to slip into the meditative state including trying to visualize the light without success. I was struck by something one of the guides had mentioned at a prior class. "The more you try to create a certain experience, the more it eludes you". This was definitely the case this time, but my attempts to relax and let whatever happens, happen, did not work.