We just had the second meeting of the Hi Five meditation group. Once again 16 meditators were present. We meditated for an hour and then discussed chapters 2 and 3 of Ajahn Brahm's book "Mindfulness bliss and beyond" . We all agreed that the five hindrance obstuct the path to our right concentration or stillness of the mind. So it is good to identify these as we meditate and be mindful when they come to our mind. We have to use the antidotes for each one of them as and when they come up during meditation.
According to the book (page 47),
Type of Hindrance and How to overcome it:
1. Sensory desire - Just take the attention away from the five senses little by little and apply it to the breath or the mind.
2. Ill will - Do some loving- kindness.
3. Sloth and torpor - Remember to “give value to awareness.”
4. Restlessness and remorse - “Contentment, contentment, contentment” or practice forgiveness.
5. Doubt - Be confident and be inspired by the teachings.
The
"Mindfulness bliss and beyond" book also says: "
Whenever you meditate, apply the solutions methodically. That way, the obstacles you experience won’t create long- term barriers. They’re things that you can recognize, overcome, and move beyond.
We discussed the above points from the book and shared and discussed other individual problems during meditation. We also emphasized the importance of daily practice of meditation at home for us to progress as a group. We also decided to get together next month for our group sitting. The place and time for this will be sent by email to all the members soon.
Dear Piyal,
ReplyDeleteThank you and Indi for your initiative with the formation of the group and planning the monthly gatherings. I'd like to humbly thank Puri for permitting us to meet at her lovely home.
In regard to the hindrances they are conditioned phenomenon and as such arise due to conditions. If we want to prevent the arising of the hindrances we must prevent their causes. To prevent their causes it is valuable to know their causes as unskillful actions - our unskillful actions. But to know and really "believe" the causes are really the causes we must see it for our selves. This is easy to say but difficult to acheive as the very hindrances we seek to see cloud our ability to discern them.
I wonder if we look at them "in theory" and at their recommended remedies if it will be of value to our walking the path. For instance, if we take Ill will and it's remedy of Metta for exploration. Whenever we take an action we do so because on some level we feel to do so is appropriate, beneficial - we value that action! So when we experience ill will it is because we are valuing this mental state. When we believe to harbour ill will is appropriate we are also devaluing Metta in that circumstance.So when we actively value (practice Metta) it results in the devaluing of ill will and hence prevents ill will from arising. I think this should make us look for circumstances in our lives where we presently do not always choose Metta over Ill will and serious question why that is. Not to make excuses but to see the flaws in this and to develop greater conviction that Metta is always the right relationship to choose.
If what I am suggesting is helpful it may lead us to appreciate that these "choices"or "values"
are a result of underlying views or opinions we hold. We would then see to find and to question these "wrong"or"unskillful" views is in our very best interest as this can be a condition to see the hindrances as under our influence and within our abilites to overcome!
If this investigation appears like it may help we could elect to each, on our own, consider each hindrance, it's remedy and seek out the views that underpin them.
If I am deluded about this I welcome input and correction.
May we all be happy, content and be at peace
DC
I agree. Puri and Neo are excellent hosts. Your comment was brilliant! This is Yonisomanasikara at its best. Yonisomanasikara is getting to the birth or origination of the issue at hand. As you well said we have to test it out for ourselves, apply to or minds and realize at our own level of discernment we have developed at the present moment. As long is the goal is to discern Dukka, abandon its cause, the craving, realize its cessation, and we know we have to follow the eightfold path to do this we might be ok. Derek thank for you wonderful comment again.
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