5 Hindrances with Noah Levine5 Hindrances with Noah Levine
Against The Stream
Craving, Aversion, Restless, Sloth, Doubt
1:26:27•22 Jul 2026
Craving, Doubt and the Five Hindrances with Noah Levine
Episode Overview
- The Five Hindrances—craving, aversion, restlessness, sloth and torpor, and doubt—are normal mind states that can be observed rather than feared.
- Naming difficult emotions, even as "Mara", helps create space to see them as passing mind states instead of personal failings.
- Meditation is a demanding skill that requires sustained practice, more like learning an instrument or flying a plane than a quick fix.
- Silent retreats and regular sitting build tolerance for boredom, discomfort and restlessness, which then eases everyday stressors.
- Healthy scepticism is encouraged, but doubt should not stop you from actually applying the teachings and seeing the results for yourself.
“As long as you're here with a nervous system you're going to experience this shit, learn to relate to it wisely.”
What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? Against The Stream’s founder Noah Levine breaks down the Buddha’s teaching on the Five Hindrances, showing how messy mental states like craving, anger and doubt are simply part of having "a body with a nervous system" rather than proof that anyone is broken.
Across the talk, you’ll hear Noah unpack craving for pleasure, aversion to pain, restlessness and anxiety, sloth and torpor, and self-doubting thoughts as normal experiences that can become objects of mindfulness. He keeps it grounded and funny, comparing torpor in meditation to the poppy fields in The Wizard of Oz and joking that early practice can feel like "a big hindrance party" in the mind. Noah connects these teachings directly to daily life and long-term practice.
He talks about doubt both as a hindrance and as healthy scepticism, highlighting the Buddha’s invitation: "Don’t believe me. I’m not asking for faith. I’m giving you tools. Apply them in your life. See for yourself." He also stresses that meditation is a difficult skill, more like learning to fly a plane than trying something once and writing it off.
For those interested in going deeper, Noah describes the role of silent retreats and gradual training, including stories of intensive practice and how facing boredom, restlessness and discomfort can expand your capacity to handle traffic jams, queues, and family drama without losing it. He uses the Buddhist story of Mara to offer a practical trick: naming difficult states as "Mara" and saying "I see you" instead of taking them personally.
The episode speaks to anyone working with cravings, anxiety, doubt or procrastination – whether that’s about alcohol, other addictions, or everyday habits. It’s a candid, sometimes blunt, but ultimately hopeful reminder that these mind states can be worked with, and that training the mind is possible for anyone willing to put in the time. Which hindrance feels most familiar to you right now?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.