Dark place Quote by Rupert Gethin
““known as the five ‘hindrances’ (nīvaraṇa): sensual desire, ill-will, tiredness and sleepiness, excitement and depression, and doubt. An ancient simile compares the mind that is continually prey to the five hindrances to a bowl of water disturbed or contaminated in five ways: mixed with red dye, steaming hot, full of moss and leaves, ruffled by the wind, muddied and in a dark place.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Foundations of Buddhism by Rupert Gethin, 1998
The mind is constantly disturbed by five mental hindrances, likened to a bowl of water polluted in different ways.
In simple terms: Mental obstacles cloud clarity like dirty water.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and clear each hindrance.
Themes
mindfulness
mental health
spiritual practice
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
spiritual
educational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- daily stress
- emotional regulation
- decision making
Key Concepts
hindrances
mental pollution
clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- What hindrance dominates your thoughts?
- How can you restore mental clarity?
A Different Perspective
The hindrances can be deeply ingrained, making them hard to eliminate quickly.
