5 Self-Sabotage Patterns ALL Brains Have - Off the Cushion Part 6

About this episode

This episode discusses the Five Hindrances that can disrupt mindfulness practice and offers strategies to manage them.

Ever notice how just when your practice starts to deepen, our mind gets loud as hell, distracted, unmotivated, or tired? Don’t worry - it’s totally normal. This week, we’re getting real about what’s known as the Five Hindrances; the craving, aversion, doubt, fear/worry, and existential MEH that keep us stuck. We also explore how to manage them so we can continue to become the little Rebel Buddhas we already are beneath it all. You will learn: // How to recognize the Five Hindrances as natural patterns of the mind, not personal failures. // How to meet craving, anger, fatigue, restlessness, and doubt with mindfulness instead of resistance. // How modern psychology mirrors these teachings as trauma responses and emotional defenses. // How each hindrance transforms into its opposite strength when met with awareness. // How to use mindfulness and compassion to balance energy, emotion, and focus in daily life. // How the Brahmavihārās (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity) serve as our hearts’ response to difficulty. Resources: // Episode 13: How to Quit Buffering // Episode 51: Self-Compassion // Episode 90: The Antidote to Doubt // Episode: 107: Equanimity in Everyday Life…

People in this episode

Host: Ana Verzone

Topics covered

• self-sabotage
• mindfulness
• mental health
• Buddhism
• psychology
• emotional resilience

Keywords

• self-sabotage
• Five Hindrances
• mindfulness
• Brahmavihārās
• mental health
• emotional defenses
• craving
• doubt
• fear
• compassion

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Rebel Buddhist Toolkit, Five Hindrances, Brahmavihārās, Episode 13: How to Quit Buffering, Episode 51: Self-Compassion, Episode 90: The Antidote to Doubt, Episode 107: Equanimity in Everyday Life, Episode 142: Your Wild Mind - The North + Protectors, Episode 203: Cool Boredom - Why It’s Necessary for Our Practice

More episodes of Rebel Buddhist

• A Year in Review for Wild Awake Hearts · December 19, 2025 · 31 min
• Wherever We Go, There We Are: The Myth of "Geographic Cure" · December 5, 2025 · 32 min
• Spiritual Audacity · November 28, 2025 · 28 min
• Integrating Insights for the Real World - Off the Cushion Part 8 · November 21, 2025 · 26 min
• Greatest Hits Vol. 34 - The Risks of Lovingkindness · November 14, 2025 · 41 min
• The Concept of No-Self (and Greater Intimacy) - Off the Cushion Part 7 · November 7, 2025 · 29 min