Kleshas: The Five Root Sufferings Driving Part Protection

The Yoga Sutras identify five kleshas—avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego/false identity), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of dissolution)—as the root causes of suffering and mental disturbance. In IFS framework, these kleshas directly correspond to the core wounds and beliefs that cause parts to activate protective strategies. A part frozen in fear operates from abhinivesha (existential fear), while a part demanding perfectionism stems from raga (clinging attachment to an idealized identity). By understanding the kleshas, therapists and clients can trace protective behaviors back to their fundamental roots: what misconception does this part believe? What suffering is it trying to prevent? This Patanjali teaching provides the philosophical architecture for understanding why parts exist and what spiritual ignorance they're attempting to protect against. Addressing the kleshas through compassionate inquiry helps parts release their rigid roles and recognize safer ways of serving the system.