An introduction to the five hindrances, how they are experienced in the mind and body, and practices that lead to release from their grip.

Difference between attention and mindfulness. Visuddhi Magga 8 ways of reflecting on death. Five hindrances, briefly touched.

Meeting the five hindrances with mindfulness and wisdom can make a huge difference in either being caught in them or being free from them

What is samatha Practice (concentration)? Why practice samatha? What is the different between samatha (a practice), samadhi (the state), and vipassana (insight practice)? What are the five jhanic factors? And how do we work with the five hindrances, or rather, "coverings," in samatha practice as opposed to insight practice?

The five hindrances or veils: a creative exploration. 20 minutes of instructions and approx 20 minute mostly silent practice.

As we practice mettā meditation we will have waves where the practice feels easy, intuitive and validating; and we will all have waves where we struggle. There are five very common states which visit us in meditation practice called the "five hindrances". These are commonly named in English as craving, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt. For steady mettā practice our first response to these challenges is to practice more carefully with patience determination. The second response is to offer ourselves kindness and compassion during challenging times. For mettā meditation and for the other three brahmaviharas, our third response to challenging times is to turn wakefully towards the qualities of the challenge and see them as only temporary conditions. We can greatly reduce the experience of suffering in the hindrances when we have mindful experience of them.

The five hindrances and similes.

There are five states which may arise in meditation practice that can derail progress. This talk advises how to work with them.

Working with the five hindrances (nivarana)

The five hindrances are fuel for developing the seven factors of awakening

This talk explores how the use of attention nourishes the five hindrances.

The five hindrances as coverings.

On the occasion of the publication of her third book, Beyond Distraction: Five Practical Ways to Free the Mind, Shaila Catherine shares a progressive series of strategies to overcome the hindrances of restlessness, obsessive thinking, and rumination; dispel thoughts of anger, hatred, and anxiety; and curb habitual distractions. By freeing the mind from the fetter of restlessness, meditators can calm their minds, develop tranquility, strengthen concentration, create the conditions for jhana, comprehend the nature of the mind, experience emptiness, and incline the mind toward liberating insight and nibbana. These teachings are based on two suttas (19 and 20) in the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha.

This talk explores the basics of mindfulness from the perspective of attention, attitude, and intention. It touches briefly on the five hindrances and includes a story about an exploding egg. Good for beginners!

An overview of the Five Hindrances, afflictive mental states that get in the way of clear seeing

How we work with the five hindrances and other challenges in meditation and in life with wisdom, kindness and clear awareness

There are five factors that are supported for deepening concentration, known as the jhana factors. These factors are developed in any kind of intensive meditation practice but are particularly supportive of the development of concentration. They also serve to counterbalance the hindrances. When the hindrances are not active, the mind and heart can be steady and open.

The Buddha’s teachings are often compared to a finger pointing to the moon. Without that finger, we might never lift our gaze and see for ourselves. Tonight’s talk offers encouragement to stay present and awake as a lived experience so that we can lead a more centered, caring, ethical life. As Dharma practitioners, we make efforts to be more present for the experiences in ourselves and others. As we do so we’ll surely hear and see things we didn’t expect or want. Here, the teaching of the five hindrances supports us to shift our gaze yet again, recognize more clearly and respond differently when wisdom and caring are weakened. With these skills, we will know for sure there is no bad habit or difficult situation that cannot be softened and worked with—even liberated.

Looking at Wise Effort and common ways our effort gets unbalanced; includes a brief overview of the five hindrances that get in the way of insight

A short overview of the five hindrances, particular mental qualities that get in the way of clear seeing