Steven

You gave a TED Talk in 2020, almost five years ago now, about the five hindrances. What are the five hindrances? You described them as five mental states that are holding us back

You gave a TED Talk in 2020, almost five years ago now, about the five hindrances. What are the five hindrances? You described them as five mental states that are holding us back

When we think about this first hindrance of sensual desire... Is this where discipline comes into play? The idea of discipline, because that word is often used, but it's often lacking a clear definition, but also a clear understanding of how one attains and exhibits discipline. Because when I think about the things that require me to have discipline, it is these desires. It is the five gates.

When we think about this first hindrance of sensual desire... Is this where discipline comes into play? The idea of discipline, because that word is often used, but it's often lacking a clear definition, but also a clear understanding of how one attains and exhibits discipline. Because when I think about the things that require me to have discipline, it is these desires. It is the five gates.

It is something I want to eat. It is maybe some kind of touch that I want to have, et cetera, et cetera. So is this where discipline is important?

It is something I want to eat. It is maybe some kind of touch that I want to have, et cetera, et cetera. So is this where discipline is important?

I was thinking about my friend when you mentioned awareness there, the friend I described earlier who exhibits the same pattern. And although they might be aware of the pattern, they might say, you know, I have this pattern, I don't believe they're aware of the moment where that pattern begins, like the singular trigger which sends them in that loop. And I was thinking the same about myself.

I was thinking about my friend when you mentioned awareness there, the friend I described earlier who exhibits the same pattern. And although they might be aware of the pattern, they might say, you know, I have this pattern, I don't believe they're aware of the moment where that pattern begins, like the singular trigger which sends them in that loop. And I was thinking the same about myself.

I was like, there's some behaviours that I have that I don't like. And although I'm aware of them, in the moment when it happens, I might not be conscious that the pattern has begun. That someone has said something, something has happened. And then you go on that pattern or you reach into the refrigerator at 1am in the morning and grab the thing or you end up being triggered by something.

I was like, there's some behaviours that I have that I don't like. And although I'm aware of them, in the moment when it happens, I might not be conscious that the pattern has begun. That someone has said something, something has happened. And then you go on that pattern or you reach into the refrigerator at 1am in the morning and grab the thing or you end up being triggered by something.

So I wondered if there's a practice at all to increase our awareness of the trigger moment.

So I wondered if there's a practice at all to increase our awareness of the trigger moment.

How does one begin the journey of doing that inner work?

How does one begin the journey of doing that inner work?

And that person is you?

And that person is you?

Who else is it?

Who else is it?

Once I've shone a light on that area of me, so I have greater awareness of its existence and it's now transparent, is it a case then of what is the work I then have to do to make a change in that context?

Once I've shone a light on that area of me, so I have greater awareness of its existence and it's now transparent, is it a case then of what is the work I then have to do to make a change in that context?