Kleshas: Core Psychological Patterns

Patanjali identifies five kleshas—avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego-identification), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death)—as fundamental patterns generating all psychological suffering. These transcultural psychological principles illuminate what triggers emotional dysregulation beyond surface circumstances. Avidya (misperceiving threat), asmita (over-identifying with painful identity labels), and raga-dvesha (clinging and resistance) directly drive dysregulation cycles. A DBT practitioner recognizing their dysregulation stems from asmita—rigid identity as "broken" or "unlovable"—can target this distortion more effectively than symptom-management alone. Similarly, understanding dysregulation as rooted in avidya (misinterpreting social situations as rejection, for example) reframes skills practice toward perception correction. Patanjali teaches these aren't character flaws but universal mental distortions affecting everyone. This depathologizes dysregulation, reducing shame while clarifying that transformation requires addressing these core patterns through both insight and behavioral practice. DBT's skills directly work against these kleshas: mindfulness counters avidya, opposite action addresses raga-dvesha, and distress tolerance builds resilience against abhinivesha.