ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Five Fingers of Tibet

The five fingers of Tibet is a way to understand how to meditate or focus your thoughts. Imagine that your hand is a map of Tibet, and each finger represents a different aspect of meditation.

Your thumb represents the aspect of concentration. Just like how you can use your thumb to press a button or hold onto something tightly, you can use concentration to focus your thoughts and eliminate distractions.

Your index finger represents effort. This is the work you put into your meditation practice, like setting aside time and energy to focus on your thoughts.

Your middle finger represents awareness. This is about being aware of your surroundings, your thoughts, and your emotions. Just like how your middle finger is the tallest and most prominent, your awareness should be a constant presence in your meditation practice.

Your ring finger represents mindfulness. This is about being aware of yourself in the present moment, without judgment or attachment to past or future events.

Your pinky finger represents wisdom. This is about applying what you’ve learned through your meditation practice to your daily life. Just like how your pinky finger is often the weakest, wisdom takes time and practice to develop.

Overall, the five fingers of Tibet provide a simple and easy way to approach meditation and focus your thoughts.