My first thought is "too bad the bell rang" as it sounds like you were in the early stages of first Jhana. My second thought is how right you are to observe that most folks raised with a Christian (or even a Western background) do feel guilty having joy unless they have earned it. I think one of the most telling stories of what Jhana is like is the story that led the Buddha to pursue his own path that took him to enlightenment. "The Memory of the Rose-Apple Tree During his quest for enlightenment, Siddhartha recalled a significant moment from his childhood. H... (read more)
My first thought is "too bad the bell rang" as it sounds like you were in the early stages of first Jhana.
My second thought is how right you are to observe that most folks raised with a Christian (or even a Western background) do feel guilty having joy unless they have earned it. I think one of the most telling stories of what Jhana is like is the story that led the Buddha to pursue his own path that took him to enlightenment.
"The Memory of the Rose-Apple Tree
During his quest for enlightenment, Siddhartha recalled a significant moment from his childhood. H... (read more)