Klesha Recognition: The Five Root Causes

The five kleshas—fundamental afflictions or obstacles in Patanjali's system—are avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego), raga (attraction/craving), dvesha (aversion/rejection), and abhinivesha (fear of death/loss). These are not moral failings but universal human patterns. In attachment contexts, avidya appears as not understanding your attachment style; raga as desperate pursuit; dvesha as pushing away when vulnerable; abhinivesha as terror of abandonment. Patanjali teaches that these are not permanent personality traits but misperceptions that can be worked with through awareness. The practice involves noticing which klesha dominates your attachment pattern. Do you obsessively pursue (raga)? Do you compulsively reject (dvesha)? Recognizing your particular klesha pattern is profoundly liberating because it removes shame—you're not broken, just operating from fundamental misunderstanding. As ignorance transforms into clear seeing through consistent practice, the other kleshas naturally lose their power to drive your behavior.