Barriers and Facilitators for Progress of Insight

In meditation practice, the mind encounters certain barriers that obstruct clear seeing, and qualities that facilitate progress. The Buddha directly spoke about both in his discourses.

Barriers: The Five Hindrances

• Sensual Desire – kāmacchanda – Craving for pleasurable sights, sounds, tastes, touches, or thoughts.
• Ill-Will / Aversion – vyāpāda – Anger, resentment, hostility, or irritation.
• Sloth & Torpor – thīna‑middha – Mental dullness, heaviness, or sleepiness.
• Restlessness & Worry – uddhacca‑kukkucca – Agitated, unsettled mind or regretful thoughts.
• Doubt – vicikicchā – Lack of confidence in the path, teachings, or one’s own ability.

Facilitators: The Seven Factors of Enlightenment

• Mindfulness – sati – Awareness of body, feelings, mind, and phenomena as they arise.
• Investigation of Dhamma – dhammavicaya – Reflective discernment; examining the nature of experience.
• Energy / Effort – vīriya – Persistent and wholesome striving in practice.
• Rapture / Joy – pīti – Positive, uplifting feelings that arise from wholesome practice.
• Tranquillity / Calm – passaddhi – Settling of body and mind; inner peace.
• Concentration – samādhi – One-pointed, stable attention.
• Equanimity – upekkhā – Balanced, even-minded awareness, remaining steady amid change.

Sources

• AN 9.64 – The Five Hindrances
• The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest
• SN 46.14 – The Seven Factors of Enlightenment
• The Seven Factors of Enlightenment

Published: 9 November 2025
© Dr. Tune. All rights reserved.
The Buddha's words are in the public domain; any copyright here applies only to the presentation.