🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂 📙 You can find my book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
I drive for Amazon. A few months ago I had one of the worst, most irritating, most infuriating days I have ever had. I was fuming with anger. Suddenly, I remembered Thich Nhat Hanh's practices of mindful breathing and mindful walking. Soon enough... My anger transformed into a calm, lucid, focused energy intent on simply doing what I needed to do and not proliferating the poison any further. At that moment, I thought to myself "Wow, Buddhism works." Thanks Doug 🙏
This is such a gem and thanks so much for creating videos that really make the teachings accessible and relevant to Buddhist-curious people and people new to this ancient philosophy. My anger drove me to Buddhism 25 years ago. Today, when my anger arises habitually (like I notice I'm spending a lot of time in the state called 'anger'), I return to my practice. Sadly, that meant I had to quit my job...best decision of my life, lol! Ultimately, this practice has been like a homing beacon for me, throughout my life.
Thanks Doug. Not having a teacher I had been occasionally wondering for quite a while whether I was a stream enterer. The criteria in secular dharma circles seems to vary by quite some degree, with some describing some spiritual special fx being part of it. The way you describe the three lower fetters cleared that up for me. This will inform my practice going forward.
Thanks Doug for mentioning the glimpse , it happened to me many moons ago and I did'nt know what was happening if I had some knowledge I may have merged with it but unfortunately I resorted to ego identification. The plus side was I knew that there is the truth beyond ego existence and that has stayed with me over the years.
Here is some help for liberating yourself from fetters four (sensual desire) and five (ill will). FOUR: Cold is the absence of heat. Pleasure is the relief from pain. Both cold and pleasure are wrong conceptions, in reality there is no such thing. When you scratch an itch you may feel a pleasurable sensation but that is actually relief from the pain. You are deluded. Everything involving pain and pleasure works the same way. Cold is felt in the absence of heat and pleasure is felt in the absence of pain but both cold and pleasure are equally misconceptions; it's just varying levels of pain and heat relative to your current state. This is why the Buddha said; life is suffering. FIVE: When you are angry, you are not lucid, you risk hurting those you love as well as yourself. If you feel rage, hold your left thumb in your hand and breathe deeply through your nose; remember that you are ok, you are safe, calm down. If you need to put your foot down, do it with a cool head. Underneath the anger there is love. When you see the love, the anger will spontaneously disintegrate.
Beautiful talk, Doug! Thank you...If I am not wrong I understand, from the pali suttas, that all the fetters are naturally let go of little by little, gradually, thanks to the constant practice but eventually, and sometimes quite suddenly, they are completely let go of when the 4 fruitions are experienced...the first three fetters are let go of when the first fruition (sotapanna) is experienced, while the last two are let go of, again gradually, with the experiencing of the other last 3 fruitions, being arahatship the moment when sensual desire and ill will are completely and everlastingly erradicated.
@@DougsDharma oh, well...I was not actually very sure about the details...but if that's as you say, then what fetter is eradicated with arahantship if there are seemingly none left...? Might it be Ignorance...conceit...?
One interesting thing in Buddhism is the difference between the kinds of practice in relation to the level of developments of the followers. The Buddha really did thought in everyone, this is a comfort to me. Very well explained, Doug. Thanks
Good description, thank you for the video! There is one thing to consider in my opinion is that, sense restraint and following the 5 precepts (or 8 if you can) is crucial for gaining right view aka becoming a stream-enterer. Getting down mundane right view and right intentions, building up sati and not being drowned in sense pleasure (listening to music, watching TV, constantly seeking company, social media etc) results in the mind becoming calm and so on until you go through the noble 8fold path. Then you will KNOW that you are a stream-enterer, you will know what is kusala and what is akusala, you won't need a teacher to confirm. That's the literal definition of a stream enterer, the one who has right view. I think one thing westerners can benefit from is to stop that thinking they have to do steps 1,2,3 and boom, you get some magical experience that results in a philosophical glitch and you become some label or something. Meditation without discernment, without sense restraint, with only doing some mechanical method will result in nothing. It has to do more with not doing, with watching your intentions and seeing the decisions & choices you're making. Stop trying to remove the hindrances by 'doing' things, stop trying to change and manage the way you feel all the time.
Thank you for this video. I find your explanations very comprehensive and always give me insight about something specific I'm unsure of. Your explanations seem to cover and respond to any confusions I have about the dharma. Very helpful. I can certainly see why ill will is harder to overcome than the first 3 lower fetters; although, I do find doubt a bit tricky as I've mentioned before. I think anger used to give me a release of some kind, but not anymore. Now, anger is just a circular pain and just causes me nothing but frustration. Wallowing in Ill will is awful and hurts all round. I believe that over the years, this has caused my heart to get ectopic beats which I recently needed to have an operation for; Ill will can have a physical impact. Mindfulness practice is helping me a lot now. I practice everyday and my degree of aversion and craving has reduced. I am no longer absorbed in self-righteousness and stop myself from wallowing in these emotions and bad habits of thinking. I try to stay mindful in meditation and in daily life. I try not to perpetuate or create new hang ups.
Thanks for this Doug. I think the so called lower stuff can often be where Buddhism is most helpful in life. Higher is not necessarily better. I like this video and the one you made about the middle way. 🙏🙏
Whew! Do I ever wrestle with ill will or hatred vs. actual compassion for others! If I give up thinking there is free will (as commonly understood) then I think I see what actual, authentic, existential-level compassion really is. Though all I have is intellectual understanding of these topics that alone is at least some kind of freedom from being entangled in the false egoic sense of self that develops from thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions. You at least get a vision of it. It comes into view. It really has nothing to do with anything I've done of course, because it is actually "no-self" and the "just awareness". But my experience or awareness is one of some actual freedom, while I imagine others are just _trapped_ in all that. I think compassion is so foundational in every tradition and practice it alone can be a reliable guide forward, it seems. Odd how a part of me doesn't want to give up the option to hate and blame and resent others which requires a belief in free will.
What if we like our job though? I've considered myself Buddhist for almost two decades. Knowing I'm doing good in the world allows me to appreciate the now. I appreciate my job, daily life, I'm content with. I have goals, but these goals don't cause me discontent. The journey of getting to a goal, obtaining the goal, and setting a new goal all bring pleasure.
Oh for sure, the Buddha is clear that there’s nothing wrong with a layperson doing their job diligently and honestly. But working diligently and happily doesn’t for him represent the final goal of true liberation. For one, the job depends on others; it could be lost at any time. It’s not secure. It is subject to change and decay, like all things.
@Doug's Dharma my question was under described and my apologies for that. I have a full realization that my job is ever changing and could be lost in an instant. However, I also have full realization that if my job is terminated that it is meant to be and the Law of Attraction will get me a better job. I have no attachment for my job, but still love it.
From what I understand, one might take teachings like this in the "mundane" and "supramundane/deeper" level. As you mentioned with anatman, the mundane "right view" would be the opinion, while the supramundane would be "direct knowledge". And I imagine this to be true for all lower fetters. So even when we speak of abandoning sense desires and aversion, perhaps the mundane level might simply be to become a monastic (and uphold the vinaya). Which is not to say that it is not possible to abandon these as a householder. It might just be easier as a bhikkhu in the day to day. ;)
These come to my mind. The 1st one, one ought to understand "self" - understand the 5 skandhas understand "self". The 2nd, 4th, and 5th, they kind of remind me of the 3 roots of evil maybe: moha, lobha and dosa. The 3rd one, sila alone cannot do it. one needs all 3 : sila, samadhi, panna - the eightfold path. 🤔
@@DougsDharmathank you so much. I suffer from sever anxiety (general anxiety disorder). I believe going down this spiritual path of meditation will heal me. I’m so excited 😊
I had one of my best meditations last night and I came away so blissful. It felt like I was making good progress down the path. However, tonight I was kept up wanting for things such as a romantic relationship and a better apartment. Any advice for keeping away from old habits?
Join the club! Any time we have a good experience, be it in meditation or otherwise, the mind tends to cling to that memory and want it to repeat. But all things change, so we find ourselves frustrated. That's the path we have to work with. The advice would be to experience that frustration and disappointment, and let it show you the way to slowly let go of the old habits.
Dear Sir. I suffer from terrible hypochondria. It constantly upends my sanity. Is there any way you can counsel me, or the Online Dharma Institute? I am from India. Thanks, regards, and pranaam.
Unfortunately I'm not able to provide such counseling. I would strongly urge you to seek out professional psychological help local to you, someone who you can go to see in person. Wishing you the best. 🙏
I believe that these are very esoteric and ascetic ideas. We should have a healthy respect for the tendency of self-identity (not an eternal soul) and the natural human emotions and let go of Buddhist demonizing of normal psychology. I disagree with the idea of enlightenment and believe we should just try and be better people and more compassionate, including with ourselves. The idea of doubt being bad seems particularly evil to me. I think I am a disciple of Mara in the sense that I believe these ideas of Buddhism should be opposed publicly and removed of our meditations and ethics. Smash the 3 jewels!
The wonderful thing about progress in Buddhism is it's entirely impossible to do. Other than gathering knowledge of Sutras, learning mantras, and intellectual history. All of this will hinder you in understanding what buddha was telling you.
@@honestal2684 buddha was not a self help teacher, quite the opposite. All his teachings are questions rather than statements. The question is, what is doing the doing...not who is.
🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂
📙 You can find my book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
I drive for Amazon. A few months ago I had one of the worst, most irritating, most infuriating days I have ever had. I was fuming with anger. Suddenly, I remembered Thich Nhat Hanh's practices of mindful breathing and mindful walking. Soon enough... My anger transformed into a calm, lucid, focused energy intent on simply doing what I needed to do and not proliferating the poison any further. At that moment, I thought to myself "Wow, Buddhism works." Thanks Doug 🙏
Great story, thanks for sharing! Yes, the practices can be very helpful, both for ourselves and for others around us. 🙏
That’s inspiring! That’s the kind of moment I hope to get more of with practice.
Solidarity forever, my friend. Wishing you peace and justice ✊🏾🙏🏽
Anumodana, Ven.,🙏🙏🙏
This is such a gem and thanks so much for creating videos that really make the teachings accessible and relevant to Buddhist-curious people and people new to this ancient philosophy. My anger drove me to Buddhism 25 years ago. Today, when my anger arises habitually (like I notice I'm spending a lot of time in the state called 'anger'), I return to my practice. Sadly, that meant I had to quit my job...best decision of my life, lol! Ultimately, this practice has been like a homing beacon for me, throughout my life.
This is the best non-Thai description of this topic that I ever heard. Great job, Doug! Appreciate the sharing of insight 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much. 🙏😊
Thanks Doug. Not having a teacher I had been occasionally wondering for quite a while whether I was a stream enterer. The criteria in secular dharma circles seems to vary by quite some degree, with some describing some spiritual special fx being part of it. The way you describe the three lower fetters cleared that up for me. This will inform my practice going forward.
Glad to help! 🙏
Wonderful video, Doug! Looking forward to the sequel...
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Thank you, very helpful, looking forward to the next one!
🙏😊
As always a very interesting analysis Doug. Your explanations are so clear.
Many thanks, glad you enjoy them! 🙏
Thanks Doug for mentioning the glimpse , it happened to me many moons ago and I did'nt know what was happening if I had some knowledge I may have merged with it but unfortunately I resorted to ego identification. The plus side was I knew that there is the truth beyond ego existence and that has stayed with me over the years.
Neat!
Here is some help for liberating yourself from fetters four (sensual desire) and five (ill will).
FOUR: Cold is the absence of heat. Pleasure is the relief from pain. Both cold and pleasure are wrong conceptions, in reality there is no such thing. When you scratch an itch you may feel a pleasurable sensation but that is actually relief from the pain. You are deluded. Everything involving pain and pleasure works the same way. Cold is felt in the absence of heat and pleasure is felt in the absence of pain but both cold and pleasure are equally misconceptions; it's just varying levels of pain and heat relative to your current state. This is why the Buddha said; life is suffering.
FIVE: When you are angry, you are not lucid, you risk hurting those you love as well as yourself. If you feel rage, hold your left thumb in your hand and breathe deeply through your nose; remember that you are ok, you are safe, calm down. If you need to put your foot down, do it with a cool head. Underneath the anger there is love. When you see the love, the anger will spontaneously disintegrate.
Doug, thank you! A very clear and helpful teaching. Thank you! Thank you! Evonne, London. UK
Wonderful, thanks for letting me know!
Beautiful talk, Doug! Thank you...If I am not wrong I understand, from the pali suttas, that all the fetters are naturally let go of little by little, gradually, thanks to the constant practice but eventually, and sometimes quite suddenly, they are completely let go of when the 4 fruitions are experienced...the first three fetters are let go of when the first fruition (sotapanna) is experienced, while the last two are let go of, again gradually, with the experiencing of the other last 3 fruitions, being arahatship the moment when sensual desire and ill will are completely and everlastingly erradicated.
Sensual desire and ill will are traditionally said to be eradicated at the "non-returner" stage, which is somewhat before arahantship, FWIW! 😊
@@DougsDharma oh, well...I was not actually very sure about the details...but if that's as you say, then what fetter is eradicated with arahantship if there are seemingly none left...? Might it be Ignorance...conceit...?
thank you for helping other people by explaining Buddhist teaching
You’re very welcome!
One interesting thing in Buddhism is the difference between the kinds of practice in relation to the level of developments of the followers. The Buddha really did thought in everyone, this is a comfort to me. Very well explained, Doug. Thanks
My pleasure. 🙏😊
Good description, thank you for the video!
There is one thing to consider in my opinion is that, sense restraint and following the 5 precepts (or 8 if you can) is crucial for gaining right view aka becoming a stream-enterer. Getting down mundane right view and right intentions, building up sati and not being drowned in sense pleasure (listening to music, watching TV, constantly seeking company, social media etc) results in the mind becoming calm and so on until you go through the noble 8fold path. Then you will KNOW that you are a stream-enterer, you will know what is kusala and what is akusala, you won't need a teacher to confirm. That's the literal definition of a stream enterer, the one who has right view.
I think one thing westerners can benefit from is to stop that thinking they have to do steps 1,2,3 and boom, you get some magical experience that results in a philosophical glitch and you become some label or something. Meditation without discernment, without sense restraint, with only doing some mechanical method will result in nothing.
It has to do more with not doing, with watching your intentions and seeing the decisions & choices you're making. Stop trying to remove the hindrances by 'doing' things, stop trying to change and manage the way you feel all the time.
🙏😊
Thank you for this video. I find your explanations very comprehensive and always give me insight about something specific I'm unsure of. Your explanations seem to cover and respond to any confusions I have about the dharma. Very helpful.
I can certainly see why ill will is harder to overcome than the first 3 lower fetters; although, I do find doubt a bit tricky as I've mentioned before. I think anger used to give me a release of some kind, but not anymore. Now, anger is just a circular pain and just causes me nothing but frustration. Wallowing in Ill will is awful and hurts all round. I believe that over the years, this has caused my heart to get ectopic beats which I recently needed to have an operation for; Ill will can have a physical impact. Mindfulness practice is helping me a lot now. I practice everyday and my degree of aversion and craving has reduced. I am no longer absorbed in self-righteousness and stop myself from wallowing in these emotions and bad habits of thinking. I try to stay mindful in meditation and in daily life. I try not to perpetuate or create new hang ups.
Great to hear! Yes ill will is important and difficult, something we should all work on for our own benefit and that of others.
Great stuff 🙏
Thank you 🙏😊
My friend is caught in the "Formless Realm." This is real advanced one.
! Thank you Doug ¡
My pleasure!
Thanks for this Doug. I think the so called lower stuff can often be where Buddhism is most helpful in life. Higher is not necessarily better. I like this video and the one you made about the middle way. 🙏🙏
Thanks so much, yes the lower stuff is going to be helpful to most of us. 🙂
Great talk thanks
Glad you enjoyed it. 🙏😊
Whew! Do I ever wrestle with ill will or hatred vs. actual compassion for others! If I give up thinking there is free will (as commonly understood) then I think I see what actual, authentic, existential-level compassion really is. Though all I have is intellectual understanding of these topics that alone is at least some kind of freedom from being entangled in the false egoic sense of self that develops from thoughts, feelings, sensations and perceptions. You at least get a vision of it. It comes into view. It really has nothing to do with anything I've done of course, because it is actually "no-self" and the "just awareness". But my experience or awareness is one of some actual freedom, while I imagine others are just _trapped_ in all that. I think compassion is so foundational in every tradition and practice it alone can be a reliable guide forward, it seems. Odd how a part of me doesn't want to give up the option to hate and blame and resent others which requires a belief in free will.
Yes, anger, resentment, hatred is so easy. It takes a lot of training even to begin to see the problem.
@@DougsDharma I think I would like to enter into full compassionate understanding.
What if we like our job though? I've considered myself Buddhist for almost two decades. Knowing I'm doing good in the world allows me to appreciate the now. I appreciate my job, daily life, I'm content with. I have goals, but these goals don't cause me discontent. The journey of getting to a goal, obtaining the goal, and setting a new goal all bring pleasure.
Oh for sure, the Buddha is clear that there’s nothing wrong with a layperson doing their job diligently and honestly. But working diligently and happily doesn’t for him represent the final goal of true liberation. For one, the job depends on others; it could be lost at any time. It’s not secure. It is subject to change and decay, like all things.
@Doug's Dharma my question was under described and my apologies for that. I have a full realization that my job is ever changing and could be lost in an instant. However, I also have full realization that if my job is terminated that it is meant to be and the Law of Attraction will get me a better job. I have no attachment for my job, but still love it.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
I use this acronym to remember. DRAWL. doubt, restless, angry, wanting (sense pleasure), lazy.
Interesting, hadn't heard that one! 😊
From what I understand, one might take teachings like this in the "mundane" and "supramundane/deeper" level. As you mentioned with anatman, the mundane "right view" would be the opinion, while the supramundane would be "direct knowledge". And I imagine this to be true for all lower fetters. So even when we speak of abandoning sense desires and aversion, perhaps the mundane level might simply be to become a monastic (and uphold the vinaya). Which is not to say that it is not possible to abandon these as a householder. It might just be easier as a bhikkhu in the day to day. ;)
Yes, the path is likely to be easier as a monastic. 😊
These come to my mind. The 1st one, one ought to understand "self" - understand the 5 skandhas understand "self". The 2nd, 4th, and 5th, they kind of remind me of the 3 roots of evil maybe: moha, lobha and dosa. The 3rd one, sila alone cannot do it. one needs all 3 : sila, samadhi, panna - the eightfold path. 🤔
🙏
I think this is a great video on the lower fetters. Do you know when a video on the higher fetters will be up?
It's up right now! 😊
@@DougsDharmathank you so much. I suffer from sever anxiety (general anxiety disorder). I believe going down this spiritual path of meditation will heal me. I’m so excited 😊
Thanks Doug.
How do these five lower fetters touch the five hindrances?
I think when the fetters become more manifest they may appear as hindrances. There certainly are overlaps!
🙏
🙏😊
I had one of my best meditations last night and I came away so blissful. It felt like I was making good progress down the path. However, tonight I was kept up wanting for things such as a romantic relationship and a better apartment. Any advice for keeping away from old habits?
Join the club! Any time we have a good experience, be it in meditation or otherwise, the mind tends to cling to that memory and want it to repeat. But all things change, so we find ourselves frustrated. That's the path we have to work with. The advice would be to experience that frustration and disappointment, and let it show you the way to slowly let go of the old habits.
@@DougsDharma Thank you, Doug
Dear Sir. I suffer from terrible hypochondria. It constantly upends my sanity. Is there any way you can counsel me, or the Online Dharma Institute? I am from India. Thanks, regards, and pranaam.
Unfortunately I'm not able to provide such counseling. I would strongly urge you to seek out professional psychological help local to you, someone who you can go to see in person. Wishing you the best. 🙏
what is the distinction between important and minor doubts?
That will depend upon the individual. Important doubts are those that may stop us completely. Minor doubts are those that we can deal with quickly.
This is helpful to me and everyone, thank you for sharing 🫶🌈
Glad it was helpful! 🙏
Hey Doug. Hope you're fine. I'm at Eugene, Oregon. If you're nearby I'd love to host you for an Indian lunch. 😀
Thanks for the offer, I'm a bit far away but maybe someday! 😊
I believe that these are very esoteric and ascetic ideas. We should have a healthy respect for the tendency of self-identity (not an eternal soul) and the natural human emotions and let go of Buddhist demonizing of normal psychology. I disagree with the idea of enlightenment and believe we should just try and be better people and more compassionate, including with ourselves. The idea of doubt being bad seems particularly evil to me. I think I am a disciple of Mara in the sense that I believe these ideas of Buddhism should be opposed publicly and removed of our meditations and ethics. Smash the 3 jewels!
The wonderful thing about progress in Buddhism is it's entirely impossible to do. Other than gathering knowledge of Sutras, learning mantras, and intellectual history. All of this will hinder you in understanding what buddha was telling you.
And what was Bhudda trying to tell you ? He is telling you how to live your life with out being a bitch
@@honestal2684 buddha was not a self help teacher, quite the opposite. All his teachings are questions rather than statements. The question is, what is doing the doing...not who is.
@@MassiveLib Bhudda helped so many people
@@MassiveLib you still need a lot of help with your ego
@@honestal2684 buddha never helped anyone ever, not a single person. If you understand this then you no longer need Buddhas teachings.