The Five Hindrances

The Five Hindrances

Author: Kate Spina February 16, 2022 Duration: 14:13

The five hindrances, greed, aversion, sloth/torpor, restlessness/worry, and doubt, can be understood through the use of similes that are present in the teachings of the Buddha. There are also some antidotes to the hinderances, and I discuss how to implement them.


Each week, Toward Light: Practical Buddhism for the Modern World gently bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary living. Guided by Kate Spina, who is trained in the Theravada lineage, these conversations and reflections focus on early Buddhist teachings, translating their core principles into tangible practices for today's unique challenges. This isn't about abstract philosophy; it's about finding a grounded sense of clarity, resilience, and compassion amid the noise of daily life. You'll hear practical guidance that intersects naturally with themes of mental fitness, personal growth, and holistic well-being, all framed within a accessible spiritual context. Kate's approach demystifies these timeless ideas, making them relevant whether you're navigating stress, seeking deeper purpose, or simply curious about a more mindful existence. The Toward Light podcast serves as a thoughtful companion for anyone looking to integrate sustainable, peaceful habits into their modern routine. By focusing on direct applications, the show honors the tradition of making these teachings genuinely useful, supporting listeners in cultivating a steadier, more intentional life one step at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 121

Toward Light: Practical Buddhism for the Modern World
Podcast Episodes
Dropping the Labels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:44
This week I explore three categories of identity we can get overly attached to and the importance of letting go of or dropping these labels.
Avoiding Spiritual Bypass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:57
In this episode, I explore some categories of identity that are important to honor and recognize in our lives and how that relates to ultimate reality, the three marks of existence, and spiritual bypassing. I quote Ruth…
Five Themes for Daily Reflection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:43
This week I share AN 5.57 Five Themes for Daily Reflection. I explore how reflecting on aging, illness, death, separation, and karma can help us cultivate samvega, spiritual urgency.
The Right Attitude for Mindfulness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:46
This episode I offer a listening meditation using phrases from Sayadaw U Tejaniya's pamphlet: What Is the Right Attitude for Meditation?
5 Facts About Buddhism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:45
In this episode I share 5 myths I often hear about Buddhism and mindfulness and share some facts. -Buddhism and yoga come from different lineages-Practicing Buddhism is noon-theistic-Mindfulness and meditation are not in…
Skillful Listening [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:29
This week I look at 3 tools that can help us listen and 3 things that may get in the way of our ability to listen if we're not aware of them.
Wise Speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:25
How can we bring wise speech into all aspects of our verbal lives? What does wise speech actually consist of and why is it so important? I attempt to answer these questions and share some wisdom from Bhikkhu Bodhi.
A Meditation for Overwhelm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:18
When the world gets "too much" what do we do? How do we stop spinning our wheels and take positive action? The first step is to stop, take a break, and get back into our bodies. I offer a roughly 10 minute stationary med…
How to Work With Unpleasant Mind States [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:15
In this episode I attempt to answer the question: When difficult things come up in meditation, how do we assess our capacity to stay with it and what does that look like? I discuss how tease out the difference between un…
Verified Faith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:52
In this episode I look at the difference between blind faith and verified faith. I share quotes from Vinny Ferraro, Malidoma Patrice Some and more, as well as some guidelines when checking out a new spiritual community o…