Zen Moments

[Kompressor]

Has anyone experienced one of these? I don't mean enlightenment, more along the likes of moments of clarity. I had this happen to me the other day and I thought it was quite remarkable.

Here's how it went:

I was chilling at a friend's place, we had just come back from the grocery store and were putting the food away. As we were about finished, a giant black wasp emerged from one of the fruit crates. It was about 1-2" in length, later we deduced it was a Black-and-Yellow Mud Dauber, the kind that lay eggs into spiders and feed on nectar.



Anyway, my friend is severely allergic to stings, and he pretty much panicked at the sight of this thing. Here's where it got interesting for me, however. As I watched this wasp hover and fly around, all of a sudden I felt if as time had slowed down, and everything became exceptionally clear and in focus. Reacting on pure instinct I watched the wasp fly around to the dining table, and I grabbed a small 1 oz paper dixie cup, the kind you find in water coolers, as he had a dispenser by his fridge. The table was a good 10-15 ft away from where I was standing, and for whatever reason I hurled the cup towards the flying creature. In slow motion I saw the wobbly path of the cup and the erratic flight path of the wasp amazingly intersect. The cup, after incredibly catching the wasp, landed face down on the table, effectively trapping the wasp. Sadly, my friend in his terrorized state ran over and smashed the cup and wasp together, and for me time started returning back to normal. We were both stunned at what I had just accomplished once our senses came back, and looked up what type of wasp it was.

I was completely sober at the time, and had never experienced anything like that before, even in meditation. It was both thrilling and humbling. I thought that this was what 'Zen Sports' must feel like.

Anyone else have moments like this?

[SageTree]

Thanks for sharing Komp. That is very cool.

I find that when I'm in places where I am able to lose sense of time generally speaking, and live more by the sun, these moments increase. And are generally associated with being outside. I feel it when listening to the creaking of the trees on windy days and with things you just know are for then, that feeling of accepting the moment, is as close to words as I can relay it.

Usually sitting in meditation I feel that I am semi aware of how long I have been there, but every so often there are times when I hear the bell and open my eyes, after what feels like only minutes, rather than 45 of them.

While there I don't see this happening and it only comes after the end bell and when the eyes come into focus, do I have to time realize that the 'normal' amount of thoughts, for me, that I would see passing in at a certain time of sitting has not passed though or been observed.

Instead of the parade that can pass in that 45 mins, I have only seen the parade leader ,a few of the colour guard, and haven't even began to see much of the first band, much less another other floats, we'll phrase it.

I know you were asking for non meditational exp. But this is all that clarified for me that the moment.

These moments are impossible to figure out it seems, and just happen. That is why I feel it's Zen happening.

I hope this is thread with many replies. I like your story and topic of choice.

Thanks for sharing again Komp.

Sageji

[hijabihippie]

Thanks to both of you. If I had to define what you are experiencing, "one-pointed concentration" and "paying attention" are the phrases that come to mind.

[SageTree]

I get that one-pointedness when I am grooming beds of plants for weeds and pruning. I am amazed to find out that I'm missed morning coffee lunch and that it's 2 o'clock by the time I realize I'm thirsty. That is why I figure gardening is right work for me.

[BibleGuy]

I've had many experiences in meditation (with smoke) where time disappeared.

But catching a wasp in bullet-time by tossing dixie cup? Wow! It sounds to me like you automatically shifted into a near-timeless mode that allowed you to do something essentially supernatural to protect your friend. Very, very cool!