Restlessness: Practice Morsels

Restlessness. This hindrance is often said to not completely disappear until full awakening. So what degree of it is present in any given moment? How subtle does it go? How much do we really need to be aware of it in order to address it so it's easy to notice when we can't sit still on the cushion?

Transcript

Restlessness.

This hindrance is often said to not completely disappear until full awakening.

So,

What degree of it is present in any given moment?

How subtle does it go?

And how much do we really need to be aware of it in order to address it?

So,

It's easy to notice when we can't sit still in the cushion.

That's easy.

Can we experiment maybe with forcing ourselves for longer and longer durations with a firm resolve to just stay still and see how long we can do it and notice when the urge is to move the body?

But the real challenge comes in the mind,

And how the mind isn't satisfied with the meditation object.

Maybe sometimes,

Now can we get it to be?

Why does the mind want to run off?

When do we need to investigate this and when don't we?

Can we maybe watch it like a child,

Be able to do what we need to do,

And yet be aware of where the child is and the boundaries of where it needs to stay put so it's not causing damage?