Sunday, July 08, 2007

Buddhist BiPolar hindrances

I was listening to one of my favourite Buddhist podcasts the other day (Zencast) which talked about the 5 hindrances to meditation (in particular) and life (in general). The teacher, Gil, gave a wonderful analogy of the 5 hindrances, which goes like this:

Enlightenment is seeing things as they really are (especially the "self"). So we can compare this to looking into a pond and it's reflection. When the pond is still and clear we see things perfectly. But the 5 hindrances do the following:

  • DESIRE - like adding a potent dye to the pond

  • ILL-WILL - the water boils and bubbles

  • SLOTH AND TORPOR - letting the pond grow over with algae and weeds

  • RESTLESSNESS - a strong wind blows over the surface causing great ripples

  • DOUBT - the water is thick with mud
These 5 hindrances are one of the fundamentals of Buddhism, and have been passed down over many centuries.

I was thinking about them recently in my depressed state of mind, and would like to add 2 further hindrances to the bipolar sufferer:
  • DEPRESSION - there is a drought. No water left in the pond. The mud of doubt is now solidified, with a few dead fish rotting amongst the cracks.

  • MANIA - there is a flood. Water surges all over the place, no boundaries left. In time there'll be even more mud. A danger zone - if you don't keep your feet planted firmly on the ground you can get swept away and drown.

5 comments:

  1. A long time ago I read somewhere "bend like the willow, don't resist like the oak."

    It's just starting to make some sense.

    ReplyDelete
  2. hey man, there are tons of ponds with algae and weed:z and mother nature leaves 'em alone no prob, it's only stupid people who came in to tell everybody only clear ponds are qoolness to look @.

    so like what else? i thot there was no self, so what up with seeing IT clearly?-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous16 July, 2007

    I love your website. I, much like yourself suffer from bipolar. I have been a practicing buddhist for approximately 2 years. It is wonderful that other individuals like myself are out there.

    Congratulations on your hard work and determination.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, dude that was the shiz! I'm a bit manic right now...not sure if it's creativity or just being a young artist or writer and trying to tame the immense flood. Good thing the "bi polar buddhist" is such a great keyword for google. :)

    Thanks for writing.

    ReplyDelete

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