Patanjali's identification of fundamental psychological obstacles (ignorance, ego, attachment, aversion, fear) that underlie and perpetuate C-PTSD.
Patanjali identifies five kleshas—fundamental psychological obstacles that create suffering: avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego/false self), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion/avoidance), and abhinivesha (fear of death/loss of self). These kleshas directly manifest in C-PTSD: survivors often remain ignorant of their own worth; cling to protective identities formed in trauma; develop addictive attachments to relief (substances, behaviors); experience intense aversion and avoidance of triggers; and harbor existential fear of dissolution. Patanjali's framework doesn't blame but illuminates the mechanism of suffering. By recognizing these obstacles explicitly, survivors can work with them skillfully rather than being unconsciously driven by them. Therapeutic work involves gradually loosening avidya through self-knowledge, softening asmita through self-compassion, moderating raga and dvesha through discernment, and addressing abhinivesha through grounded safety. For C-PTSD, understanding the kleshas provides a comprehensive psychological map that validates the complexity of trauma response while offering specific points of intervention.
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