Patanjali's five root afflictions of the mind—including ignorance, ego, and fear—as the psychological sources of insecure attachment patterns.
The Yoga Sutras identify five kleshas or afflictions that cloud consciousness: avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego/I-maker), raga (craving), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death/loss). These aren't moral failings; they're cognitive distortions that generate suffering. In attachment relationships, all five operate together. Avidya makes you misunderstand your partner's independence as rejection. Asmita inflates your ego-needs, making you demand constant validation. Raga creates desperate craving for reassurance. Dvesha generates pushing away when intimacy feels threatening. Abhinivesha is the deepest fear: that you will be abandoned, left alone, or destroyed by loss. Insecurely attached people are often enslaved by these afflictions without recognizing them as patterns. Patanjali's genius is naming them clearly so you can see them operating. A person caught in raga-dvesha cycles between pursuing their partner frantically and withdrawing coldly—never stable. By identifying which kleshas dominate your attachment style, you can apply specific practices to dissolve them. This requires honest self-examination and sustained inner work, but it's the path to earned security.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.