Buddhism notes
Five hindrances: The five hindrances are negative states of mind that are impediments to Buddhist practice. They are often most clearly seen, and arise as obstacles, in meditation. We are all quite familiar with them and may experience them every day. The five hindrances are sensual desire, ill will, sloth, restlessness, and doubt. Sensual desire means the appetite of the body for food, sex, possessions, and experiences. All these wants can cloud the mind and make practice difficult, if not impossible. The Buddha, in one of his many metaphors for the hindrances, refers to the sense desire as a dye that discolors a clear pool of water. The clear water that truly reflects the observer’s face represents the mind at ease. Ill will refers to all the aversive and rejecting states of mind—anger, hostility, resentment, bitterness. The Buddha described the mind captured by ill will as water that is frothing, bubbling, and boiling. Sloth , or indolence characterizes the mind t...