Thanks for your comments!   I actually cannot understand that translation of Yoga Sutra 3.9.   

In reference to this statement of Michael:

If I ask someone to focus on the images and sounds from a television, is that different to if I requested the person to ignore the images and only think of the gadget, the television.

In the application of mindfulness, one isn't focusing intensely.  What one does is note and DROP whatever arises.  If this is done correctly, after long and steady practice, one will be so swift in dropping that one begins to be situated in the passing away (cessation) state.  

The experience I shared, did not develop into that.  I did not have enough momentum to situate awareness in the gap/lapse (as Surya referenced to) between expression (arising) and suppression (passing away). 

I did reach there once, after reading a book titled Present Fresh Wakefulness by Chokyi Nyima Rinpochi.  He describes the lapse/gap as the natural state which has an inseparable ability to cognize. More simply put--a state of empty cognizance. 

After experiencing that, I had a nagging sense of needing to penetrate  into that emptiness even further.

And yes, Surya, experiences like these, by any of us, are always helpful in getting us to review and think deeper. 

And usually for me, I tend to have these types of breakthroughs when I am disgusted with my progress and my ability, with circumstances which don't support practice, and general disenchantment.  When I sat to meditate that day, I really was letting go and surrendering to the bare practice.