Afflictions Are the Greatest Obstacle to the Arising of Meditative Concentration

For those with mild afflictive obstructions (kleśāvaraṇa) and good physical constitution, the qi channels flow smoothly, the qi mechanism is easily activated, and body and mind feel tranquil and joyful, thereby giving rise to meditative concentration (samādhi). People with many afflictions find it hard to experience joy and tranquility of body and mind; their qi channels are not smooth, the qi mechanism cannot be activated, and meditative concentration does not easily arise. Even the meditative concentration of the desire realm is not easily generated, and the meditative concentration of the form realm is even more difficult to attain.

Practitioners who have not yet gotten on the right track should frequently examine and introspect upon the afflictions in their own minds, and try their best to subdue and overcome them. Afflictions manifest in every aspect of daily life, such as being narrow-minded and petty, stubborn and rigidly attached to fixed ideas, shallow in insight and foolish, arguing unreasonably and refusing to yield even when in the right, being combative and contentious, enjoying quarreling over trivial household matters, being fond of comparing oneself with others, being full of scheming, spreading rumors and stirring up trouble, engaging in false speech, divisive speech, and harsh speech, having a heavy mind of gossip and disputes, loving to show off and to display oneself, craving power, fame, and gain, having a heavy greedy mind, 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 be free from suffering, one must strive to subdue and eradicate every kind of affliction. Only in this way is there hope for cultivating the path.