In the Vipassana/insight meditation tradition of the retreat I attended, there is a core teaching on the Five Hindrances [1], which can be understood as the major forces in the mind that hinder our ability to see clearly [2].

As I was listening to the teachings on the Five Hindrances I was struck by how much they resonate in my daily work, and how they hinder our ability to see our privilege as young people with wealth clearly:

  1. Desire or Greed: Grasping, clinging: Grasping, clinging.
  2. Aversion and Ill Will: Resistance: Do not want. Pushing away of things that are uncomfortable or difficult
  3. Sloth and Torpor: Disengagement, hesitation, complacency, not taking action.
  4. Restlessness and Anxiety: worry, planning, self-judgement, regret of the past.
  5. Doubt: Can I do this? Am I doing this right? Is this making a difference?

If we can hold lightness and friendliness towards our resistance and blocks, we can recognize them more quickly, take steps to address them, and keep returning to the joy and connection that transformation brings.

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