The Five Hindrances

Sensory Desire
Ill Will
Dullness - Drowsiness
Restlessness - Worry
Doubt

Five Methods of Expelling the Hindrances:

The First Method are the Remedies:

• Sensory Desire  = Meditation on Impermanence. Contemplation on the unattractive nature of the body.
• Ill Will = Meditation on Loving Kindness
• Dullness or Drowsiness = Walking Meditation, A firm determination to continue to strive. Meditation of an image of energy such as a ball of light.
• Restlessness or Worry = Turning the mind to a simple object that calms; mindfulness of breathing.
• Doubt = Investigation, inquiring, asking questions, studying the Buddha's Teachings.

The Second Method is the marshaling of ethical shame or moral dread = One reflects on what is vile or ignoble about the hindrances and considers the consequences of each.

The Third Method is the deliberate diversion of attention. Redirecting one's attention elsewhere.

The Fourth Method is to face the hindrance analyze it, scrutinize it, and search for its source.

The Fifth Method is suppression. Not the best. To be used only as a last resort. But sometimes the only thing. Hold down the hindrance as a strong man holds a weaker man on a wrestling mat.