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THE BUDDHIST TRADITION

Householder Series by Jack Kornfield:
Hindrances of the Householder (II)

 
We have begun to look at what the Buddhists traditionally call "hindrances" or difficult energies which arise in the mind and in one's life as a part of meditation practice, particularly as householders, and how we might look at them, deal with them, and work with them. 

 I want to read a passage from an article by a woman named Portia Nelson.   It's called Autobiography in Five Chapters. 

  

Chapter One: 
I walk down the street.   There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.   I fall in.   I'm lost.   I'm helpless.   It isn't my fault.   It takes forever to find a way out. 

 Chapter Two: 
I walk down the same street.   There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.   I pretend I don't see it.   I fall in again.   I can't believe I'm in the same place, but it isn't my fault.   It still takes a long time to get out. 

 Chapter Three: 
I walk down the same street.   There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.   I see it is there.   I fall in.   It's a habit.   But my eyes are open.   I know where I am.   It is my fault and I get out immediately. 

 Chapter Four: 
I walk down the same street.   There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.   I walk around it.