Welcome to yet another episode of the Inner Guide Galaxy program. When we are studying, normally, we experience this special feeling most of the time. Sometimes when we are studying and especially when facing exams, we may find the times and moments that we forget everything we have studied. Have you ever experienced that? If you are a student, I think most of you have experienced this special feeling in the middle of the exam.
When you come across a question, you try to memorize that special thing you have studied, but nothing comes to your brain, nothing comes to your head. It feels like suddenly everything has been vacuumed off. Have you ever felt that? I think most of us have felt that experience.
Our great teacher, Supreme Buddha, taught us that there are five reasons for forgetfulness, also known as the five hindrances. In Pali language, in the Buddha's words, it is called “Pancha ni varana." The exact meaning of the word "ni varana" is that there is something covering up your mind. These hindrances cover your mind, like putting your mind inside a polythene bag. When something is inside a tightly tied polythene bag under running water, it doesn't get wet because the bag covers it completely.
Similarly, our mind can be covered by certain thoughts. When our mind is obsessed with certain thoughts, nothing will come inside our mind, and the things we study will be forgotten. These are the five hindrances in Buddhist terminology.
The first hindrance
The first hindrance, as Supreme Buddha said, is sensual desire. If you are thinking about craving and lustful thoughts while studying, the things you study will never go inside your mind, as your mind is occupied with those thoughts.
The second hindrance
The second hindrance is anger. When your mind is full of anger, you cannot think about anything else. Studying with an angry mind or a mind filled with hatred will prevent you from remembering anything.
The third hindrance
The third hindrance is sleepiness. When studying with a sleepy and lazy mind, you will not remember anything. Sleepiness covers your mind, preventing the things you study from entering.
The fourth hindrance
The fourth hindrance, according to Supreme Buddha, is restlessness and remorse. A restless mind becomes distracted, and thoughts pop up, making it challenging to focus on studying. Regret about past actions contributes to this hindrance.
The fifth hindrance
The fifth hindrance is doubt. If you doubt yourself, thinking negatively about your abilities, you won't remember what you study. Doubt about your success hinders your ability to retain information.
To overcome these hindrances, Supreme Buddha recommends meditation as the best medicine. Calm your mind through meditation, focusing on breathing or practicing loving-kindness meditation. Meditating for at least five minutes a day, especially in the morning, will make your mind serene and help you stay away from these hindrances.
Make meditation a part of your daily routine to maintain a serene, calm, and concentrated mind. By doing so, you'll find that you can remember everything you study. Make your life peaceful and your mind a peaceful place through meditation.