Easing Awake with Doug Kraft
Sifting through the earliest records of the Buddha's talks, we find a simple, elegant, and powerful practice. When he died, his teaching became an “ism”, Buddhism. As it spread into other countries, cultures, and eras his teachings or “map” was copied and re-copied. Shortcuts and alternatives were added and deleted. Compared to the versions of his teachings most widely known, his original meditation emphasized: Tranquility: an open, receptive awareness favored over highly focused, one-pointed concentration; Simplicity: loving kindness, serenity and insight all integrated rather than treated as separate practices; Stages: the practice matures through stages, each of which builds upon and goes beyond earlier stages (or “jhana”); Ease: relaxing as more important than striving. These podcasts are dedicated to this approach to meditation and daily living. I call it “easing awake.”
Easing Awake with Doug Kraft
Befriending the Demons
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Doug Kraft
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Season 3
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Episode 11
Hindrances can be viewed as distortions, obstacles, or demons. They distort consciousness but show us where there's imbalance that hides wisdom. Tension, aversion, and yearning distort our perception, but we don't need to look at these hindrances as a problem. We can see them as crossed intentions, spiritual trainers, and split between self and other. Recognizing, allowing, and returning to uplifted qualities then help clear perception and the mind-heart.