For the past few months, I have been exploring the Kleshas in my public yoga classes. The Kleshas, as described by the Yoga Sutras, are five modes of being that interfere with our ability to reside in our true nature… joy, love, peace, bliss. As is oftentimes true for me, being with the Kleshas in this way has given me new insights, new understanding of how they fit into life and yoga. It has also helped that I am working with a few new translations of the Yoga Sutras. My essential copy is Mukunda Stiles’ version, which I love for its simplicity. In recent months, I have read interpretations by Ravi Ravindra, Nischala Joy Devi and Nicolai Bachman. This breadth of perspectives has been quite helpful as I work through my process: circling around, going deep, getting complicated, then finding simplicity. Talking about the concepts is one of my most important of steps in the process. And listening to students talk about their experiences.
Kleshas
The word Klesha has been translated many ways–hinderances, obstacles, veils– though the vision that has been resonating with me most powerfully lately is that the klesha is a waterfall (stay with me). If the mind (chitta) is a body of water and the fluctuations of mind (vrittis) are waves on the surface of that body, then for me, kleshas are the waterfall that cascades from those fluctuations. We, our truest, highest selves are below the surface. We can see through water. It is clear, transclucent when flowing. But if we only look at the water, then we see nothing else. The waterfall is the kleshas:
- Avidya: Amnesia of our true nature (which is love, peace, joy, bliss).
- Asmita: Identification with the stories we tell ourselves, also known as the ego.
- Raga: Attachment to our desires.
- Dvesa: Clinging to past suffering.
- Abhinivesa: Attachment to the status quo.
The next few podcasts and posts are dedicated to exploring the waterfalls and seeing through them.
Jai!
Gayatri Mantra
Om Bhur bhurvah suvaha
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yonat pratcho dayat
{ Praise to the source of all things. It is due to you that we attain true happiness on the planes of earth, astral, causal. It is due to your transcendent nature that you are worthy of being worshipped and adored. Ignite us with your all pervading light.– There are many translations, but I love this one from Deva Premal.}
Love, Kelly
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