This guided meditation focuses on recognizing the characteristics of the hindrance Sloth and Torpor, as well as various ways to set aside the sluggishness and non-responsiveness of the mind while meditating. It is intended to accompany the Dharma talk of the same evening, July 21, 2021 entitled “Setting Aside Sloth And Torpor”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:58 — 82.3MB)
This is a review of the second of the Five Hindrances listed among the contemplations of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness. During the talk, the characteristics of aversion (rejection and withdrawal in the mind from unpleasant feelings) and Ill-will (a characteristic aggression that often accompanies aversion) are described. Various forms of this hindrance, such as overt reactions (perhaps scratching an itch) or covert reactions (for example, passive-aggressive behavior) are reviewed. Neurological underpinnings of the subjective experience of this hindrance are also reviewed. Suggestions are offered as antidotes for this hindrance. The talk is followed by comments from those participating in the Zoom meeting.
This talk can be supplemented with the “Guided Aversion and Ill-Will Meditation” posted on the same day and stored in the archive.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Setting Aside Aversion And Ill Will
The topic for next week’s talk will be on the hindrance of Sloth and Torpor.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:20 — 119.6MB)
This contemplation focuses on the second of the five hindrances, with suggestions that invite investigation of the direct physical and mental components of aversion (withdrawal in the mind from unpleasant feelings) and Ill-will (a characteristic aggression often associated with aversion). This contemplation is intended to complement the review of this hindrance during the Dharma talk of July 14, 2021, “Setting Aside Aversion And Ill-Will”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:00 — 82.4MB)
This talk provides an overview of the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, followed by a review of kamacchanda, sense desire, the first of the Five Hindrances. The review includes analysis of the traditional commentaries regarding sense desire plus additional contemporary neuroscientific research that validates the characteristics of sense desire and how to interrupt the actions of the hindrance. There is a Guided Sense Desire Contemplation posted and archive on the site that is intended to support this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: Setting Aside The Five Hindrances
The topical focus for the next talk will be on Aversion & Ill-Will, the second of the Five Hindrances.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:50 — 127.9MB)
This guided meditation provides supportive comments for identifying the characteristics of the hindrance of sense desire, kamacchanda in Pali, and how to interrupt the development of the hindrance. It is intended to complement the Dharma talk of July 7, 2021, entitled “Setting Aside Sense Desire”, focused on reviewing the first of the Five Hindrances in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:57 — 82.3MB)