The Foundations of Buddhism

180 The Buddhist Path

The hindrances and the limbs of dhyana

The basic instructions for beginning meditation are very simple.

One finds a quiet place and sits down in a cross-legged position

and arousing the appropriate motivation one gently places the

mind's attention on whatever is the particular object of medita-

tion. Inevitaply the meditator finds that his or her mind wanders

and the attention must be repeatedly brought back to the object

of meditation. The reason the mind fails to become absorbed in

the object of meditation is twofold. On the one hand, the mind

is prey to the five hindrances already mentioned. On the other

hand, it has not developed sufficient skill in bringing the object

to mind or, in technical terminology, the five. 'limbs' of dhyiina

are not sufficiently strong.

In principle, something ofthe process of overcoming the hind-

rances and developing the factors of dhyiina can be observed

whenever the mind is applied to any new task that requires a

certain mental application and dexterity. Take the example of

learning to play a musical instrument. In order to progress one

needs to practise regularly and patiently. Almost inevitably, at

times other less taxing activities seem much more attractive

and pleasurable than struggling with one's practice. This is the

first hindrance of desire for the objects of the senses. At times

one may become frustrated, irritated, and angry, seeing faults in

one's musical instrument or teacher, or using the fact the neigh-

bours are making too much noise as a reason for not persever-

ing with one's practice. This is the second hindrance of ill will.

Or the very thought of one's practice may make one feel tired

and drowsy, yet when one thinks of doing something else that

the mind finds more interesting, suddenly one feels wide awake

and alert. This is the third hindrance of tiredness and sleepiness.

Or one may suddenly become over-excited at one's progress,

or depressed at what one sees as one's lack of progress. This

is the fourth hindrance of excitement and depression. Finally

one may doubt the whole enterprise, asking oneself what the
point is in learning to play a musical instrument anyway. Just

as anyone wishing to make progress in the learning of a musical