Life piles up small frustrations, and one day they turn into something heavier. Most people feel this and wonder why peace of mind feels so hard to hold. That struggle is not your fault. It is simply human. Ancient yoga wisdom actually explains why this happens.
Patanjali, the sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras, named five root causes of suffering long ago. They still describe modern struggles quite well. Learning about them gives you a real starting point for change.
Definition and scope of the term klesha
The term “klesha” is derived from Sanskrit and means afflictions or impurities. It means something other than temporary negative feelings. Rather, a klesha is an enduring mental construct that affects the perception of reality, personal identity, and actions, mostly unconsciously. According to Patanjali, there are five major kleshas: avidya, asmita, raga, dvesha, and abhinivesha.
Avidya: Ignorance about the true self
Avidya stands for ignorance and holds the foundational place in the list of kleshas. It is about more than mere lack of knowledge. Rather, it is a misunderstanding of temporary phenomena as being eternal and a false self as a true one. In the presence of avidya, beliefs about thoughts, moods, and social roles become the core identity and lead to further kleshas. Self-inquiry, silent meditation, and studying reasonable texts are known to help get rid of avidya slowly.
Asmita: The feeling of “I am”
From avidya comes asmita. Strong identification with one’s thoughts or accomplishments leads to social distance and comparisons. Asmita also leads to the protection against any threats to one’s identity. Being attentive to one’s reactions and having humility is believed to lead to the attenuation of asmita gradually.
Raga: The chase of pleasure
Raga is craving for pleasure or continuous pursuit of people, objects, or events that bring a temporary enjoyment. The problem is not the pleasure itself but its ability to create dependence and the feeling of emptiness after the disappearance of the pleasant state. Developing contentedness and mindfulness can be helpful in addressing the compulsive chase of raga.
Dvesha: The rejection of discomfort
Dvesha is the rejection of uncomfortable situations, aversion, and anger. As human life is inseparable from experiencing pain, this strategy only adds to the suffering. Accepting the discomfort without resistance is likely to lower the impact of dvesha.
Abhinivesha: The fear of death
Abhinivesha is the fear of death and the urge to preserve one’s life. According to Patanjali, even wise people experience this kind of fear. It originates from the identification with one’s body, making death a real threat. Thinking of the permanence of awareness may help in reducing the impact of abhinivesha.
Interrelations among the kleshas
The five kleshas do not usually occur individually. Avidya leads to the formation of egoism, which in its turn promotes attachment (raga) and rejection (dvesha). All these factors work together, resulting in the general fear of losing something (abhinivesha). Working on avidya at its root is often suggested as a way to reduce the impact of the other four kleshas.
Conclusion
Today’s problems with identity, social comparisons, insatiable desires, and fear of change can be found in those five constructs. The ancient definition of kleshas provided by Patanjali is still descriptive in relation to the current experience. Finding those patterns in oneself is often recommended as the first step to creating peace.
India Yoga School offers guided self inquiry sessions based on traditional yogic practices that can reduce the influence of the kleshas. Those interested in exploring the concept can reach out to India Yoga School in order to start the path of moving from suffering to freedom.
