Obstacles

An introduction to the Buddhist practices that help us deal with our problems.

There are two major sets of mental obscurations: emotional obscurations and cognitive obscurations.

Taken at the stage of developing engaged bodhichitta, if kept purely, the bodhisattva vows act as a root for attaining enlightenment.

Misunderstanding may arise from teachers or translators accidentally saying something incorrect.

Maitreya enumerates 46 faults that cause interference for developing the wisdoms applicable to bodhisattvas as well as aspects of Dharma study and practice.

Methods for developing balanced sensitivity, a state of mind that is non-judgmental, caring and emotionally balanced.

To deal with difficult experiences that arise in meditation and in retreat and to eliminate them, we need to know the causes of the problems.

Liberated beings (arhats) have attained a true stopping of all the emotional obscurations, but their mental continuums still contain the cognitive obscurations.

Unhealthy relationships between disciples and mentors can manifest in many ways, including overdependence on the mentor, not maintaining discriminating awareness or transference and regression as known in psychotherapy.

Guidelines for effectively applying the Buddhist teachings to our lives so that they bring about positive results.