“Five Parasites (ajjhāruhā) of the Mind that Weaken Insights & Wisdom (pañña)” by Steve Lin
“Mendicants, there are these five obstacles and hindrances, parasites of the mind that weaken wisdom. What five? Sensual desire … Ill will … Dullness and drowsiness … Restlessness and remorse … Doubt … These are the five obstacles and hindrances, parasites (ajjhāruhā) of the mind that weaken wisdom (pañña).
Take a mendicant who has feeble and weak wisdom (pañña), not having given up these five obstacles and hindrances, parasites (ajjhāruhā ) of the mind that weaken wisdom. It’s simply impossible that they would know what’s for their own good, the good of another, or the good of both; or that they would realize any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones.”
https://suttacentral.net/an5.51/en/sujato
THREE INSIGHTS FROM THE SUTTA
There are five parasites of the mind that weaken insights & wisdom.1. Sensual desire (cravings)2. Ill will (grudges, anger)3. Dullness & drowsiness4. Restless & remorse (regrets, distractive thoughts)5. Doubt
These five dominate and overpower the mind… blocking the ability to gain insights and wisdom.
These five prevent the mind from knowing what is good for themselves and good for others.
THREE MEDITATION TIPS:
The Buddha teaches that “it’s possible” to give up these five obstacles or parasites.
It’s essential to observe them and admit they exist. We must understand their impermanent and changing nature and negative impacts to the mind.
Use meditation to contemplate and understand them… in order to more easily let them go and release their power over mind.
PREPARATION FOR GUIDED MEDITATION
>>> MEDITATION PLACE
Find a comfortable place that is quiet to sit and meditate with few interruptions and distractions to the senses.
>>> RELAX
After sitting comfortably on a cushion or pillow or floor, place hands in lap and close the eyes.
>>> TRIPLE GEM (1-2 min)
Prepare the mind and concentration by taking “Refuge in the Triple Gem”.
Visualize each one in the mind (as an object) and generate faith and warm feelings with each one. Don’t rush this.
I take refuge in The Buddha.
I take refuge in The Dhamma.
I take refuge in The Sangha.
SATIPATTHĀNA WARM UP (3-5 min)
>>> “The Breath”
Begin to focus in the breathing without attaching or stressing about it. Just relax and observe the breath.
As you breath in… observe it and release.
As you breath out… observe it and release.
Observing the rhythm of the breath is essential to relax the body and to practice releasing.
Use the out breath to practice releasing.
Relaxed smiling is good to use to help relax.
I often will use the phrase “Peace” (in breath)
“Release” (our breath)
Continue observing breathing until it becomes very subtle or almost unnoticeable.
SATIPATTHĀNA WARM UP (3-5 min)
>>> “The Body”
As the breath fades, the mind relaxes, the body also begins to relax.
Observe the body as a (body) form. It’s not self, but only a shell, a rupa, that temporarily supports consciousness.
As observing, the body, let the breath and body fade.
SATIPATTHĀNA WARM UP (3-5 min)
>>> “The Mind”
As the breath fades and the body relaxes, the mind tends to become active or stay busy.
As thoughts arise, don’t engage with them. Observe them and then let them fade.
They will rise and they will fall unless there is engagement to feed the thoughts.
SELF-GUIDED MEDITATION
Observe the mind and any of the five obstacles that may arise.
Observe the nature of the hindrance… it’s constant changing and temporary surges and influences.
Observe it’s negative impact on pañña, insights, and wisdom.
Observe it’s ability to blind the mind from knowing what is good for you and good others. It’s like a film over the spiritual eyes.
Use these insights about the nature of the parasite to help release it and let it go.
Smile. Affirm in your mind the positive results that will arise after letting this parasite go.
Use the breath to relax and smile as the hindrance fades… releasing… letting it go.
Observe new insights and wisdom arise after the parasite is gone.
Extend Metta to the mind and body.
Relax. Give thanks.
