Kleshas: The Five Emotional Afflictions and Their Roots

Patanjali identifies five kleshas or afflictions: avidya (ignorance), asmita (egoism), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death/change). These are not character flaws but fundamental misperceptions that generate emotional turbulence. Avidya, mistaking temporary for permanent and false identity as true self, underlies all emotional suffering. This ignorance spawns asmita—excessive ego identification—which creates defensive emotional patterns. From ego arise raga and dvesha: grasping toward pleasure and rejecting pain, creating emotional volatility. Finally, abhinivesha reflects deep fear driving avoidance patterns. Traditional emotional regulation addresses symptoms; understanding kleshas reveals root causes. When we recognize that our emotional dysregulation stems from fundamental confusion rather than personal failure, shame diminishes. We can then work systematically: clarifying true nature of self, reducing ego-driven reactivity, examining attachments and aversions, and addressing existential fears. This framework transforms emotional regulation from battling symptoms into progressively dissolving the ignorance generating emotional turbulence in the first place.