Five Hindrances 2

            When we are irritable the next door to swing open oh so easily is anger, hatred and ill will. Simplistically speaking, when a person doesn't feel good, is out of sorts, every perception which arises, every sight, sound, touch, every smell and taste of life exacerbates feeling irritable.
            The people and situations that are the source of the sights, sounds, etc. become the object of the person's irritation. In this state one is vulnerable. Defenses are down. The sight of a coworker, a spouse's touch, the voice of a child is no longer perceived simply for itself, but rather is seen, felt or heard as an annoyance or demand.
            Subtle and not so subtle forms of ill will then follow. Thoughts or speech such as "Go away." "Leave me alone." "Get out of my face." "What else do you want?" may arise.
            The mental factor of hatred may also be near at hand. "I hate it when you ask me a question right when I walk in the door. Let me at least put my things down." "I can't stand my coworker Henry; he always rags on me to do things differently. What he really means is, "Do things my way!"
            Does this mean we are never going to feel tired, and irritable? Certainly not. However with mindfulness we can be aware of these states as they arise and take care of our body, speech and mind so as not to cause an avalanche of anger, hatred or ill-will in our thought, word or deed.
            With awareness and wisdom we can say to ourselves, "I'm tired, I'm hungry, I best not open my mouth right now. It could be dangerous. I might regret it later. Let me take a deep breath. Perhaps I can look tenderly at this person before me, in my disheveled state, have compassion for both of us, our humanity, smile ever so slightly and nod." Simply that.
            Saying "Give me a minute," or "I need some time to think about that," "Let me give it some thought" or "I'll get back to you on that," are invaluable phrases to use when we feel off kilter, out of sorts, not our best.
            Noticing these states, being aware of them and intervening upon tendencies is a practice. Then we are able to prevent the hindrance ball from rolling and instead act and speak on behalf of the well being of ourselves and others. Putting the step of awareness, recognition, intervention into practice reduces suffering rather than perpetuates it. This is the pathway laid out by the Buddha. The cessation of suffering.
            The traditional antidote to hatred, anger and ill will is loving-kindness, metta. Are not the steps mentioned above acts of metta? Acting kindly towards ourselves and others, especially when fending off a hindrance storm, is a supreme act of loving-kindness.

            And what about greed?

            North American culture is based on greed. It is the foundation of our society. Advertising, through all of our sense doors, constantly bombards us telling us what we want and need, what we cannot possibly live without. We must have bigger and better, more and new, this brand, that brand, the latest version, the latest edition. Our culture thrives on planned obsolescence of material objects upon which we have come to depend.
            Practicing non-greed (actually engaging in this practice at all!) requires us to swim upstream in the overpowering main flow of our society. Let us be like salmon who have to swim upstream in order to spawn.
            Here is a not so obvious but very common example of greed. I am in the grocery store, shopping, accomplishing one errand among many. I have an hour in which to complete as many errands as possible. I am headed towards a checkout line when I see another person approaching the same line. I dash ahead, beating that person to the next spot in line. Yes! I am pleased.
            Does the person, now behind me, have any more or less time than I do? No. We both have the same twenty-fours in a day. This action is based on greed for space based on greed for time. Equanimity is nowhere in sight, void of course, trust me.
            Greed manifests itself in so many gross and subtle ways. One may look at this example and say, "Oh, isn't that the hindrance of worry, anxiety, restlessness as well? Being in a hurry, being fearful of not having enough time, those states of mind belong in the anxiety camp." Agreed, and underneath is the underlying tendency of greed.
            One traditional antidote for the hindrance of greed is generosity. Not rushing to fill the space in line. Giving of our time, our talents, material objects, giving from our hearts diminishes the force of greed.
            Simplifying our needs also diminishes the force of greed.

            Finally there is skeptical doubt, pulling the rug out from under ourselves. When in doubt, we have no place stand; there is no solid ground. Equanimity is kaputske, out the window. Investigation is one thing, doubt quite another.
            When we are overwhelmed by the amount of suffering in the world and wonder how any one person can possibly make a difference we are experiencing skeptical doubt. When we are depressed, feeling down, filled with apathy, our mental state is not one of equilibrium.
            Inspiration is a traditional antidote for skeptical doubt. Recalling a teaching, a story or true life experience, which inspires us, diminishes doubt. Noble friends and noble conversation is another antidote. Having an uplifting conversation with a friend can restore equilibrium. Equilibrium is the pathway to equanimity.
            The arising of the five hindrances limit and often destroy equanimity. By being cognizant of them, applying the antidotes as a healing agent, even as the hindrances wait in the wings, ready to make their appearance, they do not have to come to the forefront and occupy center stage.

            Remember: an equanimous mind is a non-reactive mind and heart.

                        1) Awareness
                        2) Recognition
                        3) Intervention

            These steps put into practice reduce suffering.

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