The 5 Kleshas: Yoga’s Ancient Framework for Understanding Inner Struggle

Have you ever felt like something invisible was clouding your thoughts, stirring up unnecessary conflict, or pulling you into patterns you thought you’d already outgrown?
According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, these moments of confusion, reactivity, or inner tension aren’t random. They’re symptoms of what yoga calls the Kleśas—five root causes of human suffering. These aren’t just spiritual ideas. They’re incredibly practical lenses for understanding why we sometimes feel stuck, triggered, or out of alignment.
Think of the Kleśas as veils—subtle yet powerful filters that distort how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Here’s a simple breakdown of each one, followed by a few journaling prompts to support your reflection and inner work:

1. Avidyā (Ignorance or Misperception)We mistake the temporary for the permanent, the false for the true, the ego for the Self.
This is the foundational veil, from which all the others arise. It’s not ignorance in the academic sense, but a deeper misidentification—forgetting our true nature and becoming entangled in roles, emotions, and appearances.
Journaling Prompts:

• Where in my life am I confusing what I do with who I am?
• What beliefs or roles am I holding on to that might not reflect my deeper self?
• What would it feel like to live from a place of inner knowing instead of outer approval?

2. Asmitā (Ego or I-ness)We believe we are our thoughts, our title, our pain, our success.
This veil personalizes everything. It separates us from others and locks us into rigid identities, making it harder to grow, adapt, or connect with our deeper essence.
Journaling Prompts:

• When do I find myself over-identifying with a role or label (e.g., parent, teacher, helper, achiever)?
• How does my ego react to being wrong, unseen, or misunderstood?
• What might happen if I softened my grip on who I think I’m supposed to be?

3. Rāga (Attachment)We cling to past pleasures, trying to recreate what once felt good—even when it no longer serves.
This veil makes it hard to stay present. We're constantly chasing the next hit of validation, comfort, or control, stuck in the belief that happiness lies “out there.”
Journaling Prompts:

• What am I currently clinging to that used to bring joy but now feels more like a habit or crutch?
• In what ways do I seek comfort over growth?
• How might I practice loosening my attachment to outcomes?

4. Dveṣa (Aversion)We push away discomfort, trying to avoid anything that reminds us of past pain.
This one fuels defensiveness, procrastination, and emotional shutdowns. It’s a survival mechanism that limits our growth when left unchecked.
Journaling Prompts:

• What situations or people do I consistently avoid, and why?
• How do I typically react to discomfort or criticism?
• What might I learn from leaning into what I usually resist?

5. Abhiniveśa (Fear of Death / Clinging to Life)We fear letting go—of control, of roles, of the familiar—even when it’s time to evolve.
This veil is the most subtle and deeply ingrained. It’s not just fear of literal death, but of change, of endings, of the unknown. And it keeps us grasping instead of flowing.
Journaling Prompts:

• What change or ending am I resisting right now?
• What does “letting go” bring up for me—emotionally, physically, spiritually?
• If I trusted the process of transformation, how might I move forward differently?

Lifting the VeilsThe good news? These veils can be thinned. Not by force, but by practice. By self-awareness. By pausing before reacting. By reconnecting with our higher self—the part of us that sees clearly, loves deeply, and acts intentionally.
Yoga doesn’t shame us for having these veils. It compassionately names them, so we can notice when they’re at play and begin the process of release.
So next time you feel triggered, stuck, or lost—ask yourself:
Which veil might be clouding my view right now?
That awareness alone is powerful. It's the first step in the direction of freedom.

Want to go deeper?
If this work speaks to you, check out my book Dancing with Our Selves: A Practical Guide to Harness the Ego and Live on Purpose. You’ll find expanded tools, meditations, and practices rooted in yoga philosophy and modern psychology.
You can also join our upcoming book club or 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training to experience these teachings in community.

Watch this YouTube Short about the Kleshas