Tempel Smith spent a year ordained as a monk in Burma and teaches Buddhist psychology and social activism in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is currently part of the IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program.
The hindrances arise naturally within our practice. Developing mindfulness while the hindrances are present both brings in wisdom and transforms the underlying conditions.
Through developing the jhana factors of piti, sukha and ekaggata (delight, contentment and one-pointedness) we can open a deeper ability to absorb with our breath.
Of the three forms of right intention, renunciation helps overcome greed, craving and clinging. Renunciation also helps with cultivating simplicity and ease, and allows us to taste the deep contentment born out of emptiness.
The teaching on Dependent Origination shows us how craving and suffering arise from wrong understanding and a lawful process of cause and effect. By bringing wisdom and awareness to each step in this chain reaction, we uproot craving and bring an end to suffering.
