Five Hindrances (pañca nīvaraṇāni)
Unskillful qualities / Five Hindrances
Part of key topic Unskillful Qualities
Also a subtag of Mindfulness of dhammas
Subtags: Sensual desire, Ill-will, Sloth and torpor, Restlessness and worry, Doubt
33 excerpts, 1:58:00 total duration

All excerpts (33) Most relevant (17) Questions about (13) Answers involving (17) Quotes (3) Texts (1)

Metta Retreat, Session 3 – Sep. 11, 2008

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14. “When doubt is mentioned under the hindrances, is it mainly referring to doubt about the Buddha’s teachings? Are there other implications?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Doubt] [Hindrances] [Dhamma] // [Everyday life] [Mindfulness of mind] [Investigation of states] [Mindfulness of body] [Suffering] [Perfectionism]


Abhayagiri Monastic Retreat 2013, Session 2 – Nov. 24, 2013

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14. “Ajahn, Its seems like the first couple of days all hindrances attack to a point where I opened my eyes this morning meditation and thought: ‘How did I get here?...Can you please comment.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Meditation retreats]


New Year, New Life, Session 1 – Dec. 16, 2013

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1. “I see what you’re saying about the hindrances, but it seems like that’s everything I called my life....So you’re saying keep on working at it and it [the mind] gets used to focusing?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Proliferation] [Meditation] // [Mindfulness] [Goodwill] [Recollection/Virtue] [Recollection/Generosity] [Gladdening the mind]


Thai Forest Tradition, Session 3 – Jun. 14, 2014

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7. “Was Ajahn Liem’s focus mindfulness of breathing but he was also aware of the moods of the mind passing through and sometimes getting kicked around by the hindrances?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Liem] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of mind] [Hindrances] [Thai Forest Tradition] // [Teaching Dhamma] [Patience]


Jhāna: A Practical Approach, Session 2 – Oct. 10, 2015

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1. “What do you do when things like knee pain arise?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Meditation/General advice] [Pain] [Aversion] [Hindrances] // [Compassion]


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2. “Is there ever a dominant hindrance, but then in the service of that, the mind picks up other hindrances?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Aversion] [Hindrances] // [Sensual desire] [Sloth and torpor]


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3. “Sometimes I just notice that the state that is there [a hindrance] is going to go away. Isn’t that a skillful way of looking at it?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Impermanence] [Skillful qualities] [Hindrances] // [Clear comprehension] [Habits]

Sutta: MN 20: The Removal of Distracting Thoughts [Right Effort] [Similes]


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4. “If a hindrance comes up, one thing to do is to acknowledge it and observe it, but on the other hand, one can bring up its opposite. Do you do either depending on what is needed? Sometimes when I bring up the opposite, it prevents me from seeing it.” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Sloth and torpor] [Right Effort] [Hindrances]


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5. “Do you have any advice for obsessive thoughts, thinking the same thing again and again?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Proliferation] [Hindrances] // [Investigation of states] [Mindfulness of body]


2015 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 4 – Nov. 24, 2015

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13. “What is the difference between a fetter and a hindrance?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Fetters ] [Hindrances ] // [Pāli] [Stream entry] [Tranquility] [Attachment to precepts and practices] [Stages of awakening] [Saṃsāra]


Abhayagiri 25th Anniversary Retreat, Session 16 – Jun. 13, 2021

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14. “During the Q&A yesterday afternoon, I heard the recommendation to set a boundary (Session 12, question 6). I feel that creating a boundary is falling into the category of the Five Hindrances. The Buddha taught us to practice the brahmaviharas which are boundless. Please clarify why we need to set a boundary.” Answered by Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Hindrances] [Divine Abidings] // [Aversion] [Abuse/violence] [Leadership]


Madison Insight Retreat 2023, Session 2 – Oct. 14, 2023

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1. “By moving to lovingkindness [meditation], I may be missing some of the deeper insights and wisdom that are present in feelings of angher, ill-will, and resentment. I think this is what is referred to as spiritual bypassing. Can you speak to this distinction or provide suggestions for accessing the wisdom that may be present within or underneath the hindrances?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Goodwill] [Aversion] [Ill-will] [Spiritual bypass ] [Discernment] [Hindrances] // [Truth] [Suffering] [Gratification]

Quote: “Sensual desire is just trying to get a relief from suffering. Even anger and ill-will...and the same with all the rest of the hindrances. They are looking for some relief from suffering in some way, shape, or form.” [Sensual desire] [Hindrances]


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8. “Can you offer practical advice for working with hindrances and cultivating sīla without taking it personally, that is, trying to perfect the personality?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Virtue] [Self-identity view] // [Dhamma] [Relinquishment]

Quote:Kae nun lae (Thai) – It’s just this much.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Suchness]