“When one sees oneself free of these five Hindrances, joy arises…”
—Gil Fronsdal

Transforming the Five Hindrances to Meditation Practice

Six Wednesdays: October 23 – December 4, 6:30 – 8:30 PM (no class on November 20 due to Thanksgiving)

When we practice meditation we know that there are forces which arise in the mind that make it difficult to remain mindful. These are often referred to as hindrances or distractions. Of the many distracting forces that appear, there are five that are traditionally noted as important for meditators to become aware of. These five obstacles or hindrances in the mind can block our ability to see clearly or concentrate. They are (1) greed or sensual desire, (2) aversion or ill-will, (3) sloth and torpor or lethargy, (4) restlessness and worry, and (5) doubt.

When hindrances arise in our life and in our practice, it is important to not judge our self. We simply notice what all minds do. There are conditioned habits that our thinking minds have been trained in to follow; when thoughts arise we may be tricked by them, pulled into their story. A great deal of this practice is learning to see clearly when we are caught in these afflictive mind states and let them go. We often do not recognize when they are present. It is as though we are in a trance. The mind itself is clear, luminous, and unobstructed. Its nature is to simply know what is arising.

The class will consist of dharma talks, meditation, Q&A and mindful inquiry.

TCMC Fee: $38 for all six weeks or $7 at the door, plus a Dana donation to the teacher (suggested $10/class). These 2,600-year-old teachings of the Buddha are supported by Dana, a Pali word meaning Generosity. You are invited to give generously, what you can, to support Lhasha in continuing her dharma teaching. No one is ever turned away for inability to pay. Volunteer opportunities for payment are available —please contact Blake Barton.

Where: TCMC, 1231 E. Edison, Tucson

Directions: One block south of Grant, 2 houses west of Mountain Ave. Please park a block away from the center. If you can’t walk that far, feel free to park in the driveway.

To register: Go to tucsonmeditation.org or send a check (payable to TCMC), along with your email and phone number, to TCMC c/o Transforming the Five Obstacles to Meditation, PO Box 43415, Tucson, AZ 85733 .