Spiritual Experiences through Meditation

In the Big Book of Acoholics Anonymous on page 14, Bill Wilson shares a short description of his sudden spiritual experience that he had in in the hospital that helped begin the journey of AA.  Later in 1958 Bill was invited to speak to the American Psychiatric Association in 1949 and provided more details about his experience.  Here is an excerpt from that talk:

"Lying there in conflict, I dropped into a black depression.  Momentarily my prideful obstinacy was crushed.  I cried out: Now I’m ready to do anything - anything to receive what my good friend has.  Expecting naught, I made this frantic appeal: If there be a God, will he show himself! 

The result was instant, electric, beyond description.  The place lit up, blinding white.  I knew only ecstasy and seemed on a mountain.  A great wind blew, enveloping and permeating me.  It was not of air, but of Spirit.  Blazing, came the tremendous thought, You are a free man!  Then ecstasy subsided.  Still on the bed I was now in another world of consciousness which was suffused by a Presence.  One with the Universe, a great peace stole over me and I thought, So this is the God of the preachers; this is the Great Reality.  But reason returned, my modern education took over."

These are powerful images a sudden spiritual experience that was given to Bill. Common themes can be seen that closely mirror what we learn and talk about in our meditation experiences. The "blinding white" light, a sense of oneness "with the Universe" and begin filled with a "great peace."

Bill does not tell us how long this experience lasted, but is sure to let us know that his reason and thinking mind took back the moment.  For me, I always longed for this type of sudden white light experience. Truthfully, I thought I deserved one, but felt rejected and not worthy as I began to realize that I would not be blessed.

Together in Meditation