Temporary Vimutti

Here are two that are important to mediators today for two reasons: the first is, of course, the information given directly: what things cause one to lose one's High. The second is more significant today: a clear statement that "vimutti", freedom, a synonym for Nibbāna, can be attained temporarily.

[AN 5.149] Anguttara Nikāya III, V, xv, 149

[AN 5.150] Anguttara Nikāya III, V, xv, 150

The term to understand: Samaya-vimutti. Con-time-freedom. Note the expression opening most suttas: "Ekam samayam ..." "Once upon a time." The meaning for this, 'temporary-freedom' is freedom based on or connected to perception of things as bound up in Time. The nature of this freedom is unstable (because based on the unstable) and the attainer is subject to falling back. Related to this freedom is a-samaya-vimutti. Freedom based on or connected with perception not bound up in time. That is, the perception of the freedom itself, not the unstable things on which the unstable is based. This form of freedom is stable and there is no falling back from attaining such.

See for this issue: [MN 29] Discourse on the Simile of the Pith, the I.B. Horner translation,
Linked to the Pāḷi, the Ñanamoli Thera translation edited and revised by Bhikkhu Bodhi, and the Bhikkhu Thanissaro translation.

The Buddha uses a simile to warn the bhikkhus not to mistake fame, or achievement of ethical culture, or attainment of concentration, or attainment of knowledge and vision for attainment of permanent freedom disconnected from Time, which is the goal of his system.