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## Eight Obstacles: A General Statement
The eight obstacles are the eight qualities of an era (87). Or, in other words, in spiritual terminology, these obstacles can be reduced to:
1. **Kheda:** Lack of firmness in the practice of self-realization, leading to regret.
2. **Udveg:** Anxiety and aversion in the practice.
3. **Chittavikshep:** Distracted mind, leading to running after external objects and influences.
4. **Uththan:** Rising from the state of self-awareness.
5. **Branti:** Confusion and wandering in all directions due to external influences.
6. **Anyamudd:** Finding pleasure and enjoyment in these external influences.
7. **Tridosha:** The three poisons of attachment, aversion, and delusion, manifesting as a disease.
8. **Aanang-Aasakti:** Attachment and clinging to external objects and influences.
These obstacles can be explained in detail in this way. And these obstacles are interconnected and can be overcome in the following way:
1. **Dhrudhata:** Firmness of mind in religious practice, without regret.
2. **Udveg-Anugam:** No anxiety or aversion, no feeling of being stuck.
3. **Vikshep:** No distraction.
4. **Chitta Uththan:** The mind does not rise from the practice.
5. **Charo Kor Bham:** No wandering in all directions.
6. **Anand Prasang:** No occasion for pleasure in other places.
7. **Rag:** No attachment to the action.
8. **Aasakti-Aasang:** No attachment or clinging to any place.
## The Eight Qualities
1. **Ash:** Absence of aversion. The absence of hatred and envy towards the true self is the first quality. It is the first step on the path of righteousness, the first role. "The first role is the cause of service, fearlessness, and absence of aversion." "Aversion is the feeling of dislike." - Avadhoot Shri Anandghanji. Thus, aversion towards the true self is "Shresh," and the absence of this aversion is "Ash." This is a negative quality. When it arises, then...
2. **Jijnaasa:** An inner desire, eagerness, longing, and yearning to know the true self. Then...
3. **Shushrasha:** A strong desire to listen to the true self. Then...
4. **Shravan:** The ability to listen to the true self. Then...
5. **Badh:** Understanding the true self, receiving the teachings, and being convinced. Then...
6. **Mimaansa:** Deep contemplation, reflection, and analysis of the knowledge received. Subtle discrimination between what is to be abandoned and what is to be adopted arises. Then...
7. **Pratipatti:** Deep acceptance and assimilation of the true self. The true self becomes a firm belief in the heart, and experience arises. Then...