Thinamittha: A Mental Barrier in Vipassana Meditation Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to study methods for correcting the Thinamittha in Buddhist scriptures. By studying the Tripitaka, the results found that: Thinamittha is one of the five hindrances that prevent the mind from being successful in practicing Dhamma. It is an obstacle to meditation. Thinamittha means dejection, boredom, and discouragement. A person who is possessed by blindness is like a person imprisoned in a prison. There was no opportunity to find joy. Thinamittha arises from ayonisomanasikara, which is not making the mind firm. And it arises from 5 causes: 1. Aarti, displeasure, 2. Tanti, laziness, 3. Visamphita, exhaustion, 4. Bhattasammada, intoxication with food, and 5. Cetaso Linattang, depression and not joyful. The cure for Thinamittha is narrow contemplation with diligence in three stages: starting with earnestness (arambhadhatu), continuing on (nikkamdhatu), and strenuous effort (parakkamadhatu) along with the application of 8 strategies to relieve sleepiness: 1) not thinking about sleepiness 2) pondering the Dhamma 3) chanting or reciting Dhamma 4) squeezing and massaging the body 5) using water to rub the face 6) opening the eyes to see the brightness 7 ) get up and walk around and 8) lie down and meditate.