Replacing the hindrances with it's opposite? Similarly, wise consideration of the mental liberation of loving kindness (mettā-
  cetovimutti) counteracts ill will; wise consideration of the elements of effort 
  (ārambhadhātu), exertion (nikkamadhātu), and striving (parakkamadhātu) counteracts 
  sloth and torpor; wise consideration of tranquility (cetaso vūpasama) counteracts 
  restlessness and worry; and wise consideration of wholesome and unwholesome states 
  (kusalākusaladhammā) counteracts doubt.6


So lets say i am having ill will thoughts. Do i just replace those thoughts with loving kindness instead? 

Or if I am experiencing sloth and torpor, do i just replace and abandon those thoughts with exertion and striving? 

Is that how you apply this passage in the real world, by abandoning those thoughts and having one pointed focus on their antidotes?
So lets say i am having ill will thoughts do i just replace those thoughts with loving kindness instead? Or if im experiencing sloth and torpor, do i just replace and abandon those thoughts with exertion and striving?


Yes, that would be one way of dealing with the hindrances. This is the first method. If that does not work, one moves on to the second method and so forth. Methods are described below.



One can deal with each of the 5 hindrances in 5 ways, i.e. the following 5 methods works for all of the hindrances.

Methods are found in The Noble Eightfold Path, p. 63-66, by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi.


Replacing the hindrance with its opposite, e.g. replacing hatred/ill-will with thoughts of loving-kindness.
Contemplating the arisen hindrance as vile and ignoble, since it has entered the mind without permission or any control.
Shifting attention away from the hindrance.
Shifting attention onto the hindrance and thoroughly contemplating it by investigating its causes and conditions for arising together with its characteristics.
Removing the hindrance with force, just as a strong man would pin a weaker man to the ground.


No. 5 should only be used if method 1-4 does not work.

If you have any questions to what I wrote feel free to ask.