THREAD: On The FIVE HINDRANCES in Buddhism (and their ANTIDOTES)

The 5 hindrances are MENTAL STATES which arise thru the practice of Buddhism. These hindrances apply heavily to your VERY OWN LIFE. Pay attention, so that you can avoid these traps - and excel at life....

The Pali term for these hindrances is: “Panca Nivaranani.” Panca means five, and the closest translation for ‘nivaranani’ is “TO OVERWHELM.” Therefore, the five hindrances often can, and unfortunately USUALLY DO succeed in thwarting us, in sending us to our mortal coil...

HINDRANCE # 1: “KAMMACHANDA” (or- sensual desire).

This refers to desires which OVERWHELM ANY of the six senses: taste, smell, taste, touch, feeling, or thought. It is seeking of pleasure: sex, rich meals, drugs, approval seeking. This inevitably creates “Dhukka”, or SUFFERING.

HINDRANCE # 2: “VYAPADA” (or - ill will)

The main cause of suffering in MANY people’s lives. A “pushing away” experience which is (wrongly used) in reaction to an unpleasant sensation or thought. LOVING KINDNESS, or “metta” practice is the only antidote to the karma of Vyapada..

HINDRANCE # 3: “THINA - MIDDA” (or - sloth and torpor)

These promote a certain drowsiness which inhibits correct action and ascension. There are many root causes: overindulgence in food, drink and drugs...too much sleep, or a practiced aversion to various people and situations.

HINDRANCE # 4: “UDDHACCA - KUKKUCCA” (or - restlessness/worry)

Commonly known as “monkey mind”...misplaced energy - ANXIETY. Where energy should flow freely, yet is blocked due to musings of the ego, there is Uddhacca-Kukkucca. You are giving UNWISE ATTENTION to your thoughts...

HINDRANCE # 5: “VICIKICCHA” (or - doubt)

Vicikiccha usually arises in doubting CERTAIN TEACHINGS, or the VALIDITY OF YOUR EXPERIENCE, or the very execution of your ACTIONS IN LIFE. When you are forging your unique LIFE PATH and LIFE PHILOSOPHY, you are often PLAGUED by doubt.

So what are the antidotes? They seem easy in theory, but often take the ENTIRETY of your will to perform.

Sensual Desire Cure: The antidote is NOTICING when desire is present, and noticing when it is NOT present. Practice concentration- flow with, do not be OVERWHELMED by it.

ill-Will Cure: We already discussed that “metta”, or loving-kindness, is the cure for ill-will. Understand that you’re watching a process unfold: the process of your emotions moving through your body. Also, BE SELFISH. By avoiding ill-will, you are saving yourself from BAD KARMA.

Sloth cure: MOVE. Do some push-ups, do some jumping jacks, hook-up with a lover. Look at the sunlight. Watch when you are binge-eating or drinking and decide to stop if you are simply trying to avoid negative feelings. Man/Woman the fuck up, because sloth is truly disgusting...

Anxiety/Worry cure: This can be attacked effectively from a variety of angles. Quite simply, get your shit together and worry will cease. People who get their shit together, move out of parents house, get bf/gf, and stick to a life purpose, notice that their anxiety melts away...

Doubt Cure: As with the other hindrances, a key first step is NOTICING CONSCIOUSLY that you are experiencing this hindrance. This is a huge step. Furthermore, you must develop FAITH AND CONVICTION IN YOURSELF and your beliefs. This cures doubt.

Notice the trends in all of these. If I had to sum up in one way, it’s GROUNDED PRESENCE. Nobody likes being around people plagued by any of these desires (except maybe pleasure desire AT ITS PEAK, but this is a temporal illusion). When you are present- the hindrances melt away..

While you’re here, go ahead and grab a free copy of my PDF on living life OUTSIDE of the five hindrances. Live your life in perfect concert with the flow of the Tao: become your very own Bodhisattva Man or Woman. https://gumroad.com/l/BeastModeBuddhist