Afflictions Are the Greatest Obstacle to the Arising of Meditative Concentration

For those with mild innate afflictive obstruction (kleśāvaraṇa) and good physical constitution, the qi channels run smoothly, the qi mechanism is easily activated, and body and mind experience tranquility and joy, from which meditative concentration (samādhi) arises. Those with many afflictions find it hard to feel joy and the ease of body and mind; their qi channels are not smooth, the qi mechanism cannot be activated, and meditative concentration does not easily appear. Even meditative concentration of the desire realm is not easily generated, and concentration of the form realm is even more difficult.

Those whose practice has not yet gotten on track should frequently examine and introspect upon the afflictions in their own minds, and strive as much as possible to subdue and overcome them. Afflictions manifest in every aspect of daily life, such as: being narrow-minded and petty, stubbornly clinging to fixed views, shallow understanding and foolishness, arguing without reason and refusing to yield even when in the right, being combative and quarrelsome, delighting in arguing over trivial household matters, being fond of comparing oneself with others, having many schemes and calculations, spreading rumors and stirring up trouble, engaging in false speech, divisive speech, and harsh speech, having a heavy mind of gossip and disputes, seeking the limelight, loving to show off oneself, craving power, fame, and profit, being strongly greedy, eagerly chasing after wealth and possessions, having a heavy mind of anger and resentment, refusing to let go of anger and vexation, and lamenting endlessly, and so on. The afflictions of sentient beings are truly countless. But no matter what, if one wishes to leave suffering behind, one must strive to subdue and eliminate every kind of affliction—only then is there hope for cultivating the path.