The Five Hurdles to Happiness

A practical approach to breaking free of the hindrances in life that drag you down—in order to live more mindfully, effectively, and compassionately.

There are five obstacles that stand in the way of true happiness. Recognizing these obstacles and moving past them can be difficult, especially when we find ourselves caught up in work, family life, and other time-consuming activities. However, there is a way! In this guide, Mitch Abblett—a licensed clinical psychologist and consultant—outlines just what these obstacles are and how they infect everyday life.

Drawing on Buddhism, psychology, and experiences from his personal practice, Abblett creates a unique teaching on how the five negative qualities found in Buddhist tradition can be studied in modern day and used to combat the negativities that keep us from living our lives to the fullest. These qualities—desire, hostility, sluggishness, worry, and doubt—are explained in full, with helpful charts, teachings, exercises, and anecdotes to give the reader all the tools they need to combat what’s dragging them down the most. Abblett uses the negative qualities as a frame for engaging readers in contemplating their own lives and learning to lean into their experience, approaching it with the warmth and helpfulness of a true friend.