Use code SUMMERPRACTICE for a 25% discount on all On Demand Courses through August 31.

The Roots of Discouragement

With Shaila Catherine recorded on September 12, 2021.

Found our teachings useful? Help us continue our work and support your teachers with a donation. Here’s how.

Progress in meditation may be slower than we anticipate. Discouragement develops when the comparing mind holds unrealistic expectations, demands perfection, and craves for measurable progress, predictable results, or signposts of success. This talk explores the obstacle of discouragement and its roots in conceit and the comparing mind. To prevent discouragement, we develop skillful ways to uplift the discouraged mind, nurture patience, and trust in the unfolding of the path.

Listen to the audio version below, or click here to download the mp3.

Discover more from the Dharma Library

  • Nikki-Mirghafori

    Equanimity: Crown Jewel of Buddhist Practice

    What is equanimity, and how does it differ from indifference? What different forms and subtleties of equanimity are presented in various Buddhist teachings, often occupying the prestigious last spot on the lists? How does equanimity relate to love and compassion? For what reasons should one pursue the development of equanimity for one’s own benefit, the…

    Read More

  • Daily Meditation Recordings, with Caverly Morgan – Week of May 11

    We’re very grateful to have Caverly Morgan hosting our Daily Meditation Series for North America. To find out more about Caverly, and to view her past recordings and contributions to Sangha Live, click here. Monday, May 11 Noticing the space between the thoughts Wednesday, May 13 What’s left when things fall apart? Friday, May 15…

    Read More

  • Jonny White

    Empower Your Self to Free Your Self

    We know that Freedom is possible, yet many of us do not feel free. In this session we will explore Freedom. What do we mean by it? What is inhibiting us from experiencing it? What can we do to heal and empower our Being to open to deeper levels of liberation. Using sitting, talks, inquiry…

    Read More

  • photo of Martin Aylward smiling

    Practicing for the love of it.

    Before the session Martin wrote: “A Burmese teacher once told a friend of mine to always enjoy his practice. We love meditation in theory, and we want to grow and transform, and we certainly would like to be liberated from our suffering. And yet! We easily turn meditation into a chore, and feel discouraged by…

    Read More

  • photo of Martin Aylward smiling

    Practice and Prejudice: Waking up to our reality blinkers

    Martin writes: “Do you remember that Youtube video ‘Awareness test’ from a few years ago, where you’re asked to pay attention to one thing (passes made by the team in white) and you end up completely missing something else? (check it out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4 – it only takes 30 seconds) We perceive reality in accordance with…

    Read More