Buddhist aids to stillness

Steven Johnson finds they help him centre down

Do you face hindrances as you seek the light? | Photo: Photo: erix!/flickr CC:BY.

I am told that the stillness sought after in Meeting for Worship is not the same as that sought for meditation. That may or may not be true; however, since both are subject to the same distractions, some Friends may find the following descriptions of the ‘Five Hindrances to Meditation’ and their antidotes, as taught to Buddhists, of help in their own ‘centring down’.  Meditation trainees are taught that all unwanted mental activity falls within the following five categories. Some specific distractions may fall into more than one.

You need to login to read subscriber-only content and/or comment on articles.