This talk is about the very common experiences of early retreat. Not perfect - Not Permanent - Not Personal

This seven-week course examines the Buddha’s teachings on the five hindrances that undermine the clarity and stability of mind. These afflictive states are often regular visitors for meditators. With practice, sense desire, aversion, dullness, restlessness, and doubt can be more quickly recognized with a non-judging awareness in a way that neutralizes their disturbing and obscuring effect on the mind. Developing these skills goes to the heart of calming the mind and living in a skillful and compassionate way Here are some study resources that you can use: -Gil Fronsdal’s new book, Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances, is now available. Of course, you can order a copy through Amazon. But you could support one of our local independent book stores. I have asked Moon Palace Books at 3260 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis (612) 454-0455 to order some copies for us. It might take them several days to have them in stock. I'll send an email when they are in. Gil's book provides a detailed discussion of each of the five hindrances. The book also provides instruction on how to turn the light of mindfulness directly on the hindrances so to transform them from obstructions to steps along the path of freedom. Overcoming the hindrances reveals the beauty of our hearts and the wisdom of a clear mind.

Courage and compassion are two dancers, perfectly paired to support each other to the rhythm and melody of loving kindness. It is a fiercely courageous heart that can withstand the many hindrances that arise when opening the heart to tenderness and compassion in the face of adversity.

Chanting 6:30 Ajahn Metta begins with sharing how she has found her misery in the midst of the beautiful surroundings at Beatenberg. She addresses the five hindrances, mental conditions that not only confront us on retreat but in our day to day lives.

SBMG Retreat at Applegate, CA

Presentation of the multi-layered, holistic, vertical cosmos of the suttas as compared to our flat world that only extends geographically. One can move up and down the cosmos through one’s own actions – giving, ethics, renunciation, clearing the mind of the hindrances and developing deep meditation. One learns to make things sacred; sacred meaning everything is valued, has its place and is treated with respect. A study of the Kutadanta Sutta (D5.29) as an example of how the Buddha taught engagement and movement along this vertical/immaterial domain

The gradual path is the essence of the Buddha’s presentation. It starts with qualities we already know – generosity, morality and renunciation. Rather than starting with meditation while sitting on the cushion, this is the movement that begins to be properly cultivated and groomed in meditation. Then our work is much more internal, to clear the mind of the 5 hindrances.

An overview of the five hindrances, and some tools for working with difficult emotions and mind-states that get in the way of cultivating metta

Working with hindrances and Q&A

Guided meditation, mostly silent with occasional questions to notice the presence or absence of the five hindrances

A brief overview of the five hindrances, mental states that obscure clear seeing

This recording also includes some instruction on The Hindrances by Gavin Milne.

This talk covers the unhindered mind, the causes of hindrances, and remedies.

Practices for cultivating appreciative fullness and collectiveness using the Jhana factors. Hindrances are also briefly explored

The Five Hindrances and some techniques for working with difficult emotions

The purpose of insight as seeing clearly into the three universal characteristics of anicca - impermanence, dukkha - unsatisfactoriness, and anatta - not-self, and how the five hindrances of sensual desire, ill will or aversion, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and sceptical doubt get in the way of clear seeing

How to loosen the grip of the hindrances; realizing that we have a natural energetic body, and how seeing the body as an energy system can support our understanding of the Dhamma

An explanation of hindrances and how they are conditioned by sense contact but amplified to fantastic proportions by shared social contact, “from 5 to 50 decibels”

Working with the Five Hindrances

What are the principal obstacles in Meditation and how do we work with them so they become grounds for insight and compassion.

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 for the development of samadhi. They also serve to counterbalance the hindrances. When the hindrances are not active, the mind and heart can be buoyant and open, allowing concentration and insight to deepen.

This talk provide practical advice for working with hindrances to practice

Mindfulness is the data collection system for intuitive awareness and letting go of thinking

Sariputta said (SN 21.1): “There is nothing in the world with whose change there would arise in me sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair.” It is hard to remember the Buddha’s teachings when the mind is beset with fear and anxiety. But we can escape from these bonds by disempowering the hindrances, calming the mind and seeing with greater wisdom. For this process to bear fruit, we have to fully trust the path alone and not put our trust in the world. A talk given at a 7 day SIMT retreat in the Chapin Mill Zen Retreat Centre, Batavia, Rochester, NY.

The jhana factors serve as antidotes to the five hindrances as well as supports in developing the Noble Eightfold Path. But they are not enough in and of themselves to establish wisdom. Studying the body and mind through samatha and vipassana, we come to understand the Four Noble Truths. As we transform consciousness, we transcend the world. A talk given at a 7 day Satipaññā Insight Meditation Toronto retreat in the Chapin Mill Zen Retreat Centre, Batavia, NY.

Mindfulness and compassion meet the hindrances - recognizing, allowing, investigating with intimate attention and nourishing with compassion.

Emphasis on the contemplations of the five hindrances and the sixth sense bases and six sense objects. Also a brief introduction to the path consciousness and stream entry (sotapana path and fruition)

On retreat you don't control what you experience, But you can develop skill in working with what would otherwise derail your practice

Offering myself to bring forth citta – awareness. This prepared the ground for skillfulness and the willingness to meet hindrances.

Evening reflection on how we need to apply the practice differently as our path progresses - and a reminder of how we can get caught by the hindrances, and how to get un-caught.

Finding beauty and peace through wisely practicing with the five hindrances.

These seven qualities offer an effective framework for cultivating the mind, overcoming the hindrances, and balancing the energetic and calming forces that develop in meditation. When cultivated and balanced, the mind is ripe for awakening. This series will explore each factor to reveal its importance, function, and role in the process of awakening.

Meeting the meditators humanity

Working from hindrances to mindfulness, and the value of a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich