This was a good trip. A couple of powerful memories and reflections came up for me.
1. I remember being a child and laying in bed at night, and flying myself out to the edge of the universe. I was a very anxious and nervous little boy. (Some things never change, do they?!?? Now I’m a very anxious and nervous old goat!) I found some relief by leaving the planet, I suppose. Although I wasn’t consciously saying to myself at 8-years-old, “damn, this day sucked, let me get the f$*k out of here for a few minutes,” I clearly was expanding outward for some kind of relief. I was simultaneously terrified and fascinated by thinking about there being some sort of edge to the universe….and thinking that if there was one, what was beyond that barrier….or that wall? I seemed to almost be seeking an outer edge of experience….a sort of finite limit or boundary to help me understand or wrap my head around our existence.
2. On a more practical level, it occurred to me during the meditation that my favorite part of any journey is usually not the destination. I like the travel. In particular, I like the flying. I like being up above the earth…a wider perspective….a space in which, for some period of time, at least, I’m released from “earthly” burdens. It’s almost like the ultimate meditation zone….quite ilterally “nowhere to go, noplace else to be.” Forced “presence,” in a way. Relief.
I got this really interesting sort of “hybrid” feeling about our own personal individual significance in the world during this meditation. Initially, while zooming out, I got a little emotional, especially at the prompt of considering during the zoom-out looking down on microscopic billions of people, all with their own gazillions of thoughts and worries. I guess I was feeling this sense of how insignificant we all are universally, in the bigger picture. And maybe moreso, how even MORE insignficant our daily thoughts are worries are. This made me emotional and sad, slightly. In fact, I feel myself tearing up again as I type this. I’m not quite sure why.
But then, the complete opposite feeling happened. A change in perspective sort of bloomed as a result of the zoom-out. This sense that we are all, each of us, individually, THE universal awareness. And as Jeff said, we are living inside infinity.
This made me feel hopeful and connected. And like a stronger better human in this moment.
I love you, Jeff. Thank you for helping me feel what I need to feel to keep one foot in front of the other on this journey.
Richard, I appreciate in particular what you wrote towards the end of your comment -- 'the sense that we are all, each of us, THE universal awareness'. That is an extraordinarily comforting observation. Thank you.
Jeff, this is amazing. I had a very similar vision though mine was brought on by a high fever. I was 11 and starting to ask those same big questions about "life". I saw myself in a big empty void, sitting on the branch of a tree. Tiny little me, I could sense my smallness. Then the image would begin to zoom out and I became smaller and smaller until I disappeared as the universe became larger and larger. Then the vision alternated between the minute me and the gigantic universe, flipping like a coin tossed in the air. It was terrifying! After the fever calmed, I thought about how profound a vision it was, and that I really didn't understand it. I nicknamed it "the gigantic -minute disease" and filed it away for later exploration. At around 20 years old I took acid at a party, and the same vision returned! The proverbial bad trip. But after coming down I knew it was a very important concept. A fears later, I happened to come across a map published by National Geographic that, by a series of connected diagrams, showed the earth, then the solar system, then our near neighbors in the milky way, the the whole galaxy, etc zooming out to the whole known universe. It suddenly all made sense: my seemingly overwhelming problems were tiny! The universe is infinitely big! Nothing is as bad as it seems. I laughed and I cried. Finally, my mind accepted the paradoxical nature of my existence. Now, 40 years later, I still find solace in that vision, and a new version of the map now sits in my office waiting to be tacked up on the wall.
‼️ I can’t get that image of the spinning coin out of my head. Seems like a good example of what some deep part of us can know without the surface having any idea. Just love this report thank you Friend.
Thanks Jeff for this gift of perspective today. It was a relief to go out and a relief to come back. Marcus is on my nightstand right now. A loved one is facing a terminal diagnosis and accepting it has been challenging. I may need to do this every day for the foreseeable future. This is the first thing that’s given me even a hint of equanimity in the face of this. I want to be a help to my family and that’s going to require staying a little bit even myself. Anyway, thank you.
In following the meditation, I was going out and out and out into the expansion. However, I was not experiencing the expansion from an on lookers perspective. The expansion was happening inside my body. When I first sat down, I had stiff shoulders and a bit of pain in my neck. After this expansion happened inside my body, I felt no more tension, and no more pain. I plan to do this visualization of expansion again tomorrow ,and I’ll see where it happens. One never knows.
My 4yr old hyper Toy Poodle Bentley, loves you. i put you on and in the middle of Bentleys playing hard, he will stop, listen and jump up to snuggle in and before you know it, he's in the zone.. He feels the peace i feel listening to you. Thank you.
Jeff, This took me to the closest experience of no-self, or maybe a self that has so expanded that it is no longer there. As if I had merged with the cosmos. It was a gentle realization -- not mind-blowing or filled with drama, but also without fear. When I started my return, I was aware that my hands, which generally rest relaxed and palm up while I meditate, were wide open as if my fingers (or maybe my being) had melted into space. I have at times imagined that this might be the experience of crossing over from this body into the star dust. And it was reassuring that there was no fear. Thank you.
As I was happily wizzing through time and space enjoying the freedom of it all… my iPads screen suddenly went black….freaked me out somewhat, but it certainly helped with the imagining! Thank you Jeff you never cease to amaze me, and
I used to conduct an experiment as a child that might have been similar. I don’t recall the exact details, but I vividly remember the sensation of being in a vacuum, floating alone in what appears to be a vast cosmic void. I cherished that moment and the feeling of being part of something larger, a purpose, or a quest. (It reminded me of Ram Dass’ quote, “walking ourselves home.”) When I returned to my red sofa in my study, where I sit almost every morning, I felt a sense of protection and comfort. I was enveloped by an invisible sense of “can do,” “keep going,” and “we’ve got you.” This meditation could become moreish, and I’m okay with that. It could be a habit or an occasional indulgence. Either way, I eagerly anticipate my next cosmic journey. Thank you Jeff and Lilli. Thank you again.
Jeff.. I have commented before cand tried to reach you with no results. I am a paid subscriber but I can never get into the extended meditations or anything. It tells me I need to be a paid prescriber. I am but I'm not . Its perplexing . I have been paying for quite some time now and asking for someone to help change this. Please help
Powers of Ten
This was a good trip. A couple of powerful memories and reflections came up for me.
1. I remember being a child and laying in bed at night, and flying myself out to the edge of the universe. I was a very anxious and nervous little boy. (Some things never change, do they?!?? Now I’m a very anxious and nervous old goat!) I found some relief by leaving the planet, I suppose. Although I wasn’t consciously saying to myself at 8-years-old, “damn, this day sucked, let me get the f$*k out of here for a few minutes,” I clearly was expanding outward for some kind of relief. I was simultaneously terrified and fascinated by thinking about there being some sort of edge to the universe….and thinking that if there was one, what was beyond that barrier….or that wall? I seemed to almost be seeking an outer edge of experience….a sort of finite limit or boundary to help me understand or wrap my head around our existence.
2. On a more practical level, it occurred to me during the meditation that my favorite part of any journey is usually not the destination. I like the travel. In particular, I like the flying. I like being up above the earth…a wider perspective….a space in which, for some period of time, at least, I’m released from “earthly” burdens. It’s almost like the ultimate meditation zone….quite ilterally “nowhere to go, noplace else to be.” Forced “presence,” in a way. Relief.
I got this really interesting sort of “hybrid” feeling about our own personal individual significance in the world during this meditation. Initially, while zooming out, I got a little emotional, especially at the prompt of considering during the zoom-out looking down on microscopic billions of people, all with their own gazillions of thoughts and worries. I guess I was feeling this sense of how insignificant we all are universally, in the bigger picture. And maybe moreso, how even MORE insignficant our daily thoughts are worries are. This made me emotional and sad, slightly. In fact, I feel myself tearing up again as I type this. I’m not quite sure why.
But then, the complete opposite feeling happened. A change in perspective sort of bloomed as a result of the zoom-out. This sense that we are all, each of us, individually, THE universal awareness. And as Jeff said, we are living inside infinity.
This made me feel hopeful and connected. And like a stronger better human in this moment.
I love you, Jeff. Thank you for helping me feel what I need to feel to keep one foot in front of the other on this journey.
Peace and love to all of you today.
Beautiful Richard. It’s comforting to hear other people have the same experience.
Richard, I appreciate in particular what you wrote towards the end of your comment -- 'the sense that we are all, each of us, THE universal awareness'. That is an extraordinarily comforting observation. Thank you.
Jeff, this is amazing. I had a very similar vision though mine was brought on by a high fever. I was 11 and starting to ask those same big questions about "life". I saw myself in a big empty void, sitting on the branch of a tree. Tiny little me, I could sense my smallness. Then the image would begin to zoom out and I became smaller and smaller until I disappeared as the universe became larger and larger. Then the vision alternated between the minute me and the gigantic universe, flipping like a coin tossed in the air. It was terrifying! After the fever calmed, I thought about how profound a vision it was, and that I really didn't understand it. I nicknamed it "the gigantic -minute disease" and filed it away for later exploration. At around 20 years old I took acid at a party, and the same vision returned! The proverbial bad trip. But after coming down I knew it was a very important concept. A fears later, I happened to come across a map published by National Geographic that, by a series of connected diagrams, showed the earth, then the solar system, then our near neighbors in the milky way, the the whole galaxy, etc zooming out to the whole known universe. It suddenly all made sense: my seemingly overwhelming problems were tiny! The universe is infinitely big! Nothing is as bad as it seems. I laughed and I cried. Finally, my mind accepted the paradoxical nature of my existence. Now, 40 years later, I still find solace in that vision, and a new version of the map now sits in my office waiting to be tacked up on the wall.
‼️ I can’t get that image of the spinning coin out of my head. Seems like a good example of what some deep part of us can know without the surface having any idea. Just love this report thank you Friend.
Thanks Jeff for this gift of perspective today. It was a relief to go out and a relief to come back. Marcus is on my nightstand right now. A loved one is facing a terminal diagnosis and accepting it has been challenging. I may need to do this every day for the foreseeable future. This is the first thing that’s given me even a hint of equanimity in the face of this. I want to be a help to my family and that’s going to require staying a little bit even myself. Anyway, thank you.
You’re welcome, Janie, I’m sorry to hear about the diagnosis, wishing you much compassion, connection, and perspective. Your family too.
Janie, I am zooming out with you and for you. Thinking of you.
In following the meditation, I was going out and out and out into the expansion. However, I was not experiencing the expansion from an on lookers perspective. The expansion was happening inside my body. When I first sat down, I had stiff shoulders and a bit of pain in my neck. After this expansion happened inside my body, I felt no more tension, and no more pain. I plan to do this visualization of expansion again tomorrow ,and I’ll see where it happens. One never knows.
Wow, super interesting
My 4yr old hyper Toy Poodle Bentley, loves you. i put you on and in the middle of Bentleys playing hard, he will stop, listen and jump up to snuggle in and before you know it, he's in the zone.. He feels the peace i feel listening to you. Thank you.
Good to know I have at least one poodle on side! Thank you, Bentley. ❤️😂😍
Jeff, This took me to the closest experience of no-self, or maybe a self that has so expanded that it is no longer there. As if I had merged with the cosmos. It was a gentle realization -- not mind-blowing or filled with drama, but also without fear. When I started my return, I was aware that my hands, which generally rest relaxed and palm up while I meditate, were wide open as if my fingers (or maybe my being) had melted into space. I have at times imagined that this might be the experience of crossing over from this body into the star dust. And it was reassuring that there was no fear. Thank you.
A fine taste of the cosmic life Tamar, my hands are open!
Yes I too had memories of being g a kid and the power of ten - Thank you - I am excited to create a guided meditation for my elementary age students!!
Oooo Beth, let me know how that goes, it’s perfect for kids.
As I was happily wizzing through time and space enjoying the freedom of it all… my iPads screen suddenly went black….freaked me out somewhat, but it certainly helped with the imagining! Thank you Jeff you never cease to amaze me, and
Ha!
I used to conduct an experiment as a child that might have been similar. I don’t recall the exact details, but I vividly remember the sensation of being in a vacuum, floating alone in what appears to be a vast cosmic void. I cherished that moment and the feeling of being part of something larger, a purpose, or a quest. (It reminded me of Ram Dass’ quote, “walking ourselves home.”) When I returned to my red sofa in my study, where I sit almost every morning, I felt a sense of protection and comfort. I was enveloped by an invisible sense of “can do,” “keep going,” and “we’ve got you.” This meditation could become moreish, and I’m okay with that. It could be a habit or an occasional indulgence. Either way, I eagerly anticipate my next cosmic journey. Thank you Jeff and Lilli. Thank you again.
An occasional indulgence sounds about right!
Hey Jeff, you said this in the second in the Cosmic Corner series. Which one was the first?
Thanks for all that you do!
Jeff.. I have commented before cand tried to reach you with no results. I am a paid subscriber but I can never get into the extended meditations or anything. It tells me I need to be a paid prescriber. I am but I'm not . Its perplexing . I have been paying for quite some time now and asking for someone to help change this. Please help
I'm so sorry Marion! Let me look into this ASAP
Thank you its been going on a very long time
We’ll get it sorted out Marion, sorry about the inconvenience. If you email me via the contact form on my
website, I can make sure Lilli address it - she manages the Substack.