Overcoming Doubt

Doubt

Doubt is a part of every spiritual journey, and yet the resolution of doubt can bring great stability to a practice. But doubt is so complex and deeply imbedded in who we are and how we act that it is often difficult to notice, to understand, to see get beyond regardless of how strong thoure analytic belief in what we are doing.

While doubt may aid in keeping us from derailing, more often than not it prevents us from moving forward or changing.

Have a looksee at the qualities connected with doubt and there will be no doubt about the difficulties it makes for spiritual growth. [This list is from Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA.]

Physical Qualities

heavy

confused

foggy

sluggish

restless

leaning forward

fatigued

ungrounded

create comfort

urge to move

heat/pain

tightness

deflated

anxious

tense

shallow breath

agitated

emptiness in gut

contraction

folding in on self

uncomfortable in body

enervating

deflated

nervous

unsettled in chest

hungry

Cognitive Qualities and Beliefs

What’s the point?

Will it do any good?

I’m lazy

I can’t

vacillation/uncertainty

I don’t want to

I don’t know the answer

This doesn’t work

I’m not the type/not me

How can I figure it out?

I need help

It’s a cult

It doesn’t work

I should feel connected

I should be certain

There is a right way to be

I’m not ok

I’m not enough

I’m not worthy of the dharma

I’m not good enough

I’m unworthy

I’m flawed

I’m incapable

I should be able to figure this out myself

It’s too hard

I should be a monastic

I’ll never be a nun

I have to suffer

I have to give up everything

I’m going to lose who I am

Who am I if I give up my personality?

Emotions

aversion

anger

frustration

disconnected/lonely

fear

insecure

helpless

anxious

depressed

frenetic

nervous

unsettled

grief

intimidated

overwhelmed

confused and foggy

power

uncertain

wayward

shiftless

rudderless

despair

hesitant

Motivations

decrease of motivation

paralysis

try harder

make feeling go away

do

want to figure it out

quit

become passive

get my way

apathy

embrace my victimhood

can’t start

find an easy way out

find an excuse not to do it

run

avoid

destroy and refute it

do something pleasurable

Behavior

not do it

doing something one regrets

avoidance

put things on hold

shut down

eat

decide too quickly because of discomfort

with uncertainty

paralysis

escape

short with people

indecisive

quit

run away

shyness

avoid things/people

watch TV

sleep

internet/email

withdraw

stop eating

collect facts

read

make lists

procrastinate

anger

gossip

avoid sitting

imaginary conversations

head outdoors

head for the light

turn to nature

listen to dharma talks or lectures

talk about it

see a therapist

study it

turn towards it

Doubt in our practice is the fifth of the Five Hindrances. Mindfulness, meditation, and concentration, and wisdom and investigation are the keys to overcoming doubt. A strong or serious practice would include an emphasis on either mindfulness or meditation and either wisdom or investigation.