In the final week of the course we explored how each dhyana factor acted as an antidote to one of the 5 hindrances that characterize distracted consciousness (a.k.a. unmindfulness):
• Consciously cultivating or being open to the dhyana factor of one pointedness is an antidote to desire for sense experience.
• Enjoyment (piti) is an antidote to ill will.
• Aiming attention (vitakka) is an antidote to sloth and torport
• Peace (sukha) is an antidote to restlessness and anxiety
• Sustaining attention (vicara) is an antidote to doubt and indecision.
When you meditate if you notice a particular hindrance is weakening your mindfulness you can simply notice and re-aim your attention to the breath or other object of meditation. That might be enough and the first adjustment to try.
If the hindrance persists one thing to try is to consciously cultivate or encourage the appropriate dhyana factor to act as an antidote to the hindrance.
There are other ways to work with hindrances. This is one approach for your mediation toolkit.
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Come Sharpen up your Mindfulness! Wed, 7 - 9 pm, November 11 to December 9 (no class Nov. 25) Taught by Viveka, a senior meditation teacher in the FWBO internationally.
