Kleshas: The Five Core Burdens Parts Carry

Patanjali identifies five kleshas (obstacles or afflictions) as the root cause of suffering: avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego-identification), raga (attachment/craving), dvesha (aversion/rejection), and abhinivesha (fear of death/change). These aren't moral failings but psychological patterns that obscure clear seeing. In Internal Family Systems, parts become burdened precisely by these kleshas. A Firefighter part driven by raga desperately craves numbing or excitement to escape pain. A Manager driven by dvesha rigidly rejects emotions and vulnerability. An Exile carries avidya about its own worth, believing it deserves suffering. Another part's fear (abhinivesha) makes it resist any change, even healing. By recognizing these five kleshas operating in your parts, you understand the architecture of their burdens. IFS unburdening work involves helping parts recognize how these patterns arose, what they protected them from, and how to release them. Patanjali's framework provides a precise diagnosis of internal suffering, making the healing work of IFS deeply targeted and effective in addressing root causes rather than symptoms.