As you already know, there are various forms of rapture. Some of them are subtle and others are more energizing. Now, when rapture arises during meditation it energizes and excites the mind. Then the question is, how does rapture energize and excite the mind?

Rapture Energizes The Mind

For example, as rapture starts to rise through your body during meditation a lot of pleasant mental energy is released. This positive mental energy energizes the mind. One could say that pleasant mental energy energizes the mind the same way that food energizes the body. Likewise, unpleasant mental energy has a negative affect on the mind making us feel unmotivated or emotionally low.

The pleasant sensations of rapture fill us with positive vibrations and excite the mind. This excitement is a natural consequence of the pleasant sensations. Meditators may also look at rapture as a sign that the meditation is really good, which would excite the mind even more...

Positive Affects On Meditation

So, whenever you experience rapture you may enjoy a 5-60 minute boost in motivation, endurance and concentration. Sometimes the positive affects of rapture last even longer and seasoned meditators may experience rapture over and over again. While living in a buddhist monastery in 2004, I experienced rapture 8 times during a 2.5-hour meditation.

Rapture fills you with mental energy the same way fire fills a hot air balloon with hot air. But how does a boost in concentration fit into the equation?

The mind runs on mental energy. So, when the mental energy is low the mind won't be able to concentrate well. Now, rapture increases the mental energy dramatically and one of the results is a boost in concentration. Experienced meditators know from first-hand experience that concentration fluctuates a lot over time, especially when tiredness sets in...

Concentration And Physical Discomfort

Normally, we experience physical discomforts during meditation. The shoulders may become stiff, the back, hips and legs may also start to ache after 45 minutes or so of sitting meditation. When rapture fills you with pleasant mental energy, the physical body will literarily bathe in pleasant sensations. These soothing sensations also have a positive affect on concentration.

Now, physical discomfort is no longer a major distraction. The pleasant bodily sensations soothe the physical discomforts and the mind won't remind you about the aches and pains again and again - as a result concentration is strengthened. So, one could say that rapture energizes and helps the mind transcend distractions.

In the next questions and answers, I will take a look at the dangers of rapture.

Best of luck!

What Are The Benefits Of Rapture In Meditation?

Rapture Energizes The Mind

Positive Affects On Meditation

Concentration And Physical Discomfort

What Are The Benefits Of Rapture In Meditation?