213. Kleśas - Spinning out of ignorance...

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Today, we return to Yoga Sūtra 2:2:
"Samādhi-bhāvanārthaḥ kleśa-tanūkaraṇārthaś ca"
(The purpose of practice is to cultivate samādhi and weaken the kleśas.)

We’ve already explored bhāvanā (भावना)—the intentional cultivation of focus and awareness. Now, we turn to the second part of this sutra: the kleśas (क्लेशाः), or obstacles that cloud our perception and keep us stuck in cycles of suffering.

These kleśas are hardwired into human nature—they are universal afflictions that create patterns of struggle, regardless of time, culture, or personal history. Patañjali, true to his structured approach, first introduces the concept in this sutra, then expands upon it in the next.

In Yoga Sūtra 2:3, he lists the five primary kleśas:
"Avidyā-asmitā-rāga-dveṣa-abhiniveśāḥ kleśāḥ"
(Ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear of death are the afflictions.)

These mental and emotional forces create the constant whirlpool of thoughts, reactions, and conditioned behaviors that pull us away from clarity and inner stillness. The chitta vrittis (चित्त वृत्तिः), the whirlpool of mental fluctuations, are largely fueled by these afflictions.

Left unchecked, the kleśas keep us trapped in unconscious habits, making us react rather than respond, cling rather than release, and resist rather than flow. However, Patañjali doesn’t just diagnose the problem—he also offers a path out.

Kriya yoga (क्रिया योग), the yoga of action, is presented as a way to weaken and dissolve the grip of the kleśas. Through self-discipline (tapas, तपः), self-study (svādhyāya, स्वाध्याय), and surrender (īśvara-praṇidhāna, ईश्वरप्रणिधान), we begin to see these afflictions clearly, loosen their hold, and move toward freedom.

So here’s a question for reflection:
Is there a particular kleśa that feels especially strong in your life?
Do you struggle more with attachment (rāga)? Aversion (dveṣa)? The fear of uncertainty (abhiniveśa)?

Understanding which kleśa most influences your patterns is the first step toward breaking free.

Tomorrow, we’ll explore these kleśas in more depth—one by one.