The Five Hindrances

What stops us from 🧘‍♂️ (and writing!)

Buddhism teaches about the five hindrances, the five states of mind that are obstacles to practicing meditation.

I can’t help but think they perfectly describe the mental impediments that writers face.

The five hindrances are:

• Sensual desire doesn’t just mean sex although it could. Sensual desire is any physical desire for food, sex, physical objects, experiences. It’s difficult to write if you’re distracted by the body and by wanting something you don’t have.

• Ill will is exactly what it sounds like - anger, hostility, resentment, bitterness. Who hasn’t been distracted from meaningful creative work by negative thoughts about another person or an untenable situation?

• Sloth describes a slow and lazy mind. It’s pretty normal to have off days or maybe even off times of day, but it’s no fun when sloth makes us think and write more slowly. In those moments, we find it hard to uncover an original thought or perhaps any thought at all.

• Restlessness is a state of worry, fear, or anxiety - this describes most writers (and people!) in the world today.

• Doubt describes a mind plagued with questions and uncertainty: Will anyone care what I’m writing about? Am I good enough for this project? Am I wasting my time?

I think of these feelings as “old friends.” They’re always with us, they help us create barriers and excuses almost every day, but then, with time and practice, we do the work anyway. We learn to live with them.

Mostly, I love that there’s nothing new under the sun. People have been thinking about these challenges to creativity and well-being forever, and they probably always will.

(Photo by Julio Lopez)