KLESAS: 101

Yoga Sutras analysis of human suffering is the theory behind the Klesas.

There are five Klesas:

• Avidya: Ignorance

• Asmita: Egoism or confused values

• Raga: excessive attachments

• Dvesa: unreasonable dislikes

• Abhinivesa: clinging to life or aversion to death.

These are important as reflection on human nature and how we will naturally behave and attach our identity or self in one of these and this adds to our suffering.

In comparison

From a different source entirely the lessons from the Buddha called “the five hindrances” are quite similar.

The five hindrances from the Buddha are:

• Desire (kamacchanda); is latching onto thoughts or feelings based on the pleasures of the five senses.

• Ill will (vyapada); could be jealousy

• Sloth-torpor (thina-middha); very tired and unclear

• Restlessness-worry and blame (uddhacca-kukkucca)

• Doubt (vicikicchā)

So why know about either of these? Paige likes to incorporate this with awareness. During yoga practice can you identify the reaction you may be having and what does that tell you? For example maybe in an asana it invokes a strong reaction to the tightness in your body. While it may be something you can feel, you may start to see yourself doubting or blaming your ability. Instead of continuing down that habitual reaction, right there change may happen because we can refer back to this list of ways we ‘think’ and that all thoughts are not facts.