a path of compassionate awareness
Recently, I dug back into my journey through the five kleśas—Avidyā (ignorance), Asmitā (egoism), Rāga (attachment), Dveṣa (aversion), and Abhiniveśa (fear of death). It has been both humbling and healing. Writing and reflecting on each of them reminded me that these obstacles aren’t signs of failure; they’re simply part of being human.
The kleśas are like shadows that follow us—not because we’re doing something wrong, but because we’re walking in the light.
Why This Work Matters
As a yoga teacher, student, and human navigating motherhood, sobriety, relationships, and self-worth, I’ve noticed that these inner patterns don’t go away just because we’ve read the sutras or stepped on our mat. What changes is our willingness to see them with compassion, to meet them with tools, and to remember we’re not alone in facing them.
Yoga, at its heart, is not about mastering the pose or controlling the breath perfectly. It’s about seeing clearly. And the kleśas are what cloud that vision. They’re the filters we look through when we forget our wholeness.
How to Keep This Work Alive
You don’t need a full 90-minute practice or a silent retreat to explore the kleśas. You just need curiosity, honesty, and space—even five minutes at a time.
Here are some gentle ways to continue exploring them:
Weekly Check-Ins:
Ask yourself at the end of each week: Which kleśa did I notice the most?
Was I clinging, avoiding, performing, fearing, or forgetting?
How did I respond—and how might I respond next time with more grace?
Daily Practices:
Avidyā – Begin the day with the mantra “I am not my thoughts. I am awareness.”
Asmitā – Reflect on a label or identity you’re holding tightly. Ask yourself, Is this helping me grow?
Rāga – Notice your cravings—whether for experiences, validation, or control—and take one deep breath before acting.
Dveṣa – When discomfort arises, place your hand on your heart and say, “This, too, belongs.”
Abhiniveśa – Embrace one moment of surrender each day, whether in savasana or silence. Trust that you are held.
From Practice to Integration
I share this here not only as a personal reflection, but as a gentle offering for anyone walking the path of self-inquiry. Whether you’re a yoga student, a teacher, or just someone trying to live more awake, I hope this exploration helps you remember:
You are not broken. You are becoming.
And the more we see our obstacles clearly, the more we meet ourselves and others with compassion. The kleśas don’t disappear, but they lose their power when we bring them into the light.
xo
kpr
