Space for Restlessness and Worry
The fourth hindrance of restlessness and worry, encountered in meditation and in daily life, is nervous unsettled physical energy, characterized by quickly changing thoughts, anxiety, agitation and worry in the mind, and difficulty sitting still.…
Re-energize and Awaken Now
leepiness, a/k/a sloth and torpor (the phrase admirably describes the state)—is the third of the five hindrances or difficult energies that arise in practice. Training the mind to work with them in meditation is a…
Aversion is Our Teacher
Aversion, the opposite of desire, is the second hindrance encountered in meditation as well as daily life. Anger, fear, boredom and judgment are facets of aversion. Anger is outflowing, expressive, energized; and fear is held…
Wanting Mind
The first hindrance is desire for sense pleasure—pleasant sounds, sights, tastes, smells and bodily sensations. Desire in itself is not wrong or a problem—it is the concomitant mentality in which we believe that if we…
Dancing With the Hindrances
The fifth precept is refraining from alcohol and drugs (authentic medical need excluded) “that cause heedlessness.” I am inspired by this, as the last words of the Buddha are reputed to be “strive on with…
Ingesting Clarity
The fifth precept is refraining from alcohol and drugs (authentic medical need excluded) “that cause heedlessness.” I am inspired by this, as the last words of the Buddha are reputed to be “strive on with…
Loving Speech
The fourth precept is to refrain from false, harmful and reckless speech. Speech is a primary way in which we relate to and communicate with each other. It can enhance connection, or be the agent of…
The Gift of Refraining from Sexual Misconduct
When we observe the precepts, they have a humane effect on us and everyone affected by us. We align with the understanding of karma, that the most important powers shaping our experience are the thoughts,…
Contentment Fuels the Second Precept
The precepts can be understood in the context of illuminated heart-mind. We are guided not by “do’s” and “don’t’s” but by the interconnected nature of being. This is not so much to be understood by…
Nurture That Seed
Doubt is the fifth hindrance or difficult energy that we encounter in practice and life. We know when it arrives as a hindrance: the mind says, “What am I doing here? Does this mindfulness stuff…
Space for Restlessness and Worry
The fourth hindrance of restlessness and worry, encountered in meditation and in daily life, is nervous unsettled physical energy, characterized by quickly changing thoughts, anxiety, agitation and worry in the mind, and difficulty sitting still.…
Re-energize and Awaken Now
leepiness, a/k/a sloth and torpor (the phrase admirably describes the state)—is the third of the five hindrances or difficult energies that arise in practice. Training the mind to work with them in meditation is a…
Aversion is Our Teacher
Aversion, the opposite of desire, is the second hindrance encountered in meditation as well as daily life. Anger, fear, boredom and judgment are facets of aversion. Anger is outflowing, expressive, energized; and fear is held…
Wanting Mind
The first hindrance is desire for sense pleasure—pleasant sounds, sights, tastes, smells and bodily sensations. Desire in itself is not wrong or a problem—it is the concomitant mentality in which we believe that if we…
Dancing With the Hindrances
The fifth precept is refraining from alcohol and drugs (authentic medical need excluded) “that cause heedlessness.” I am inspired by this, as the last words of the Buddha are reputed to be “strive on with…
Ingesting Clarity
The fifth precept is refraining from alcohol and drugs (authentic medical need excluded) “that cause heedlessness.” I am inspired by this, as the last words of the Buddha are reputed to be “strive on with…
Loving Speech
The fourth precept is to refrain from false, harmful and reckless speech. Speech is a primary way in which we relate to and communicate with each other. It can enhance connection, or be the agent of…
The Gift of Refraining from Sexual Misconduct
When we observe the precepts, they have a humane effect on us and everyone affected by us. We align with the understanding of karma, that the most important powers shaping our experience are the thoughts,…