Feeling stressed or frustrated? Here's how not to react, writes toni_bernhard
and uneasy, it’s usually because you’re caught in the web of one or more of these hindrances. They often become habits of mind, meaning that each time you react in one of these five ways, the hindrance gets stronger and you’re more likely to react that way in the future.
I’m going to use a computer crashing as an example of the hindrances in action. Here are five ways you might respond to this unwelcome event.This hindrance refers to any sensual pleasure you engage in under the mistaken belief it will make you happy by allowing you to forget your difficulties. And so, you avoid your computer problem by turning to something pleasurable, such as eating ice cream or putting on re-runs of your favorite TV show.
. Anger ranges from mild irritation to becoming so enraged that you throw your computer at the wall, thereby assuring that it will stay “crashed.”This hindrance is often referred to as torpor or lethargy. You tell yourself that it’s too much effort to deal with a computer that’s not working. This hindrance is another way of avoiding what you know you need to do. And so, you say to yourself, “Forget it; I’m just going back to bed.
It's unlikely that worst-case scenarios come to pass. Maybe all your computer requires is a reboot . Unfortunately, you’re so busy forecasting a future that’s full of5. Doubting yourselfin your ability to solve life’s challenges. You feel as if you’re not competent to deal with any computer issue. You blame yourself for it having crashed in the first place. This type of thinking keeps you from focusing on how you might fix your computer, something everyone has to do once in a while.
It’s also not uncommon for more than one hindrance to arise in response to things not going your way. Buddhist teachers lightheartedly call this a “multiple hindrance attack.” You may be downing that ice cream to avoid fixing your computer