Sharon on hindrances and their antidotes

11/27 Sharon and on Hindrances and their Antidotes (Jhanic Factors)


The goal: a proper spatial relationship to hindrances.

Hindrances:
Desire/Clinging: Something we want takes us away from object of focus
Aversion: Strike out against what is happening. "To have it not be so."
Sloth/Torpor: Alertness vanishes, awareness vanishes, we're not connecting and we don't care.
Restlessness: Scattered
Doubt: Can't settle. Compare, think, analyze, judge - but not settle & explore. Exhaustion.

Antidotes: 5 Jhanic Factors

Vitaka: Aiming the mind to what is happening now
Vichara: Investigating. Connect to object of awareness.
Rapture/Raptness: Intense interest. Energetic effects.
Happiness: A soft comfort; we don't feel the weight of reactivity. Belonging
One-pointedness: We are present enough that there is a sense of stability. "Sit like a mountain."

Desire arising is fine. Going for it is the problem. Instead, see it as almost dream-like.
Antidote: One-pointedness

Aversion. Relate to anger like a Martian looking at it and asking "what is this?"
Don't judge it or justify it.
Antidote: Rapture, interest

Restlessness. Remember, no one ever died from restlessness. Get present.
Antidote: Happiness. Okay, I'm here.

Sloth. Just take one half a breath at a time
Antidote: Vitaka/Aim

Doubt.
Antidote: Vichara/investigate. "Rubbing" Is it really so?

J: Question to ask: "Can I build equanimity around this?" But it's hard when the equanimity itself is hindered. Searching for place between non-trusting self and coddling self.

Sharon: When we define good practice as lots of samadhi, that leads to fear. Because then we feel we have to protect it, rather than meditation protecting us. Plus, we ask "what did I do wrong?" Answer: nothing. Everything changes. Build relationship to whatever is going on.

Concentration refers to many different things:
- Quality developed with practice
- Focus of practice in one place
- Samadhi satates
- Type of practice - let go (rather than explore) and come back to object. E.g., metta.

Core practice has a mix. Distraction -- with it -- come back.

Continuity of mindfulness practice. "Why be unconscious?" Really go for every moment -- continuity. Sharon: only rely on mindfulness, because everything is then an even playing field. No remedial work, no lost ground.

Also:
Guy: Can map desire & aversion in a matrix (from previous night's talk on shabbat)
Sadness: Was good, now bad
Anger: Was bad
Fear: Will be bad
Hope: Will be good