Kleshas: Five Root Causes of Psychological Suffering

The Yoga Sutras identify five kleshas—avidya (ignorance), asmita (false ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death)—as the root causes of all psychological suffering. Trauma powerfully activates and reinforces these kleshas. Avidya manifests as a distorted worldview where the self seems fundamentally unsafe. Asmita becomes trapped in trauma identity. Dvesha drives avoidance behaviors and hypervigilance. Understanding trauma through the lens of kleshas reveals that surface symptoms stem from deeper existential confusions about self and safety. EMDR addresses kleshas by metabolizing the traumatic material that feeds them: as the sensory, emotional, and cognitive components of trauma are processed and integrated, the false beliefs and distorted perceptions they generate naturally begin to dissolve. This framework helps practitioners recognize that trauma healing isn't merely symptom reduction but a fundamental shift in how the survivor perceives themselves, safety, and reality. By addressing kleshas, EMDR restores accurate perception and existential groundedness.