Each of us have different life aims and aspirations, career ambitions. and health goals. However one thing is certain, that we are all looking for inner peace. It is universal need and desire just to feel calm and composed. Wouldn’t you agree? We are all looking outside and externally for something that can simply bring us joy and happiness.
Somehow we seem to have situation and circumstances that cause us misery from time to time. Misery is a big word so lets say sadness or disappointment instead. When we look at the Yoga texts, and research root causes of suffering, we come across a word called Kleshas. Kleshas literally means poison or suffering. Yoga gives us five such afflictions that we have to deal with if you desire inner peace.
The five kleshas are as follows:-
Avidya , is ignorance. Not just ignorance from general knowledge or information, but on a deeper level, it means spiritual ignorance. The worldly distractions limits us from comprehending the true nature of ourselves. We are way too involved in the outside world and have literally gotten out of touch with our “SELF” To break this mis-guidance, we must dive deep into self-study and study of the spiritual scriptures and attain a deeper understanding of our role in this life.
Asmita, is the Ego or the “I-am-ness” We mis-identity ourselves with what we feel or act or do. For example, I tall or I am hurt or I am sad or I am flexible etc. The ego has its place in allowing us to be unique. However it can be limiting if we get too attached or remain too detached from it.
Raga, is attachment and ones liking to pleasure. This seems perfectly innocent at first. However think about it. You like something or someone, then you develop pleasure towards it, then you get attached to it, and when you do not receive it or cannot control it, you become disappointed and crave it which ultimately leads to misery! There goes my relationship with my favorite chocolate walnut brownie! 😉
Dvesha, is aversion. It comes from pain from our past memories and its subsequent repulsion. Dvesha is a great hindrance and we must make extra efforts towards this working on this removing this obstacle to inner peace.
Abhinivesah, is fear of death or clinging to life. This can also be looked at as fear of change in our everyday life, the end of a long relationship with a career or a person or actual end of life.
It is said i
n the Yoga Sutras that follow, that the kleshas can be overcome with the aid of meditation. The detrimental behavior of the mind reaches extinction and our true nature is revealed.
Hopefully we can overcome these obstacles with time , decrease our suffering and find our inner peace.
“Diana Azavedo is a Yoga enthusiast and expert that offers yoga classes in Dubai, worldwide yoga retreats and yoga teacher training.”