An observation from the borderland between regular conscious life and the unconscious world within.

When I meditate long-enough I usually bump into something I call The Chatter Cloud. In addition to being an interesting experience, it reminds me just how independent some of our inner world can be.

Getting to the Cloud

I have to use single-pointed meditation to get there. Single-pointed meditation means reducing thinking, moving, and feeling to very, very simple terms. Paying attention to the sensation of breathe moving into the nose and out of the nose and that is it. As other stuff comes up, I ignore it and go back to holding attention at the nose. Simple but hard.

The Cloud Itself

In this simplifying process I hit a place where I hear chatter much like one hears in a busy public place, multiple human voices but none of them are clear enough to understand.

After several minutes of work (45 or more), a cloud of inner chatter moves in on me or I move in on it as I sit in one-pointed meditation. It is different than the normal chatter we all hear, this chatter feels more abstract like something from a much deeper place than the usual inner dialogue. it appears to be serious stuff, probably tied to the anxieties of living.

Beyond the Cloud

First it is suddenly there and then it passes in about a minute. Next, the cloud is gone and then I move to a clearer meditation place.

It is somewhat disturbing to hear first hand something that is probably running all the time and I’m completely unaware of it. I have to wonder what is this doing to my feelings, moods, ability to think clearly, etc.

I assume that if I can meditate frequently I can keep this cloud away but for how long? What other clouds are below the surface?