#kleshas

past life/karma are said to be the simple process of cause and effect or polarity. meanwhile, people who have everything you lack are signifiers of an attachment: a mock identity that drives you away from all things and clings to something singled out from that (that’s what ego is classically defined as, utter division). 

you can bridge that perceived disconnection by finding every quality about yourself that this person desires but can’t ever get. e.g. if it’s an idol, they’d envy how you have more free time and privacy. they work all weekend, practice all night, are ripped apart on sns, have to pay off a million in debt (that’s how much it costs to debut an idol and they have to earn it back for the company, most idols are basically poor), the list goes on. 

so you end up realizing there are two people feeling very pained/lacking/unlucky and blessed at the same time. if the two of you met, without that knowledge you’d want to change bodies and lives at all costs. but after a while, the circle would go on. you’d see the downsides of their supposed bliss and want to go back. et cetera. you’d find ugly truths and gratitude alike and try to find a solution in the middle.

Welcome everyone. Namaskarum! I’m Aperna, and in this video, I share a simple and practical explanation of kleshas — the afflictions of the mind that are the root cause of our suffering.

According to the teachings, these afflictions keep us bound in the cycle of karma and shape how we experience life through the mind.

The three poisons (of attachment, aversion, and ignorance) are the primary causes that keep sentient beings trapped in samsara. These poisons are the root of all the other kleshas. They are represented in the hub of the wheel of life (bhavacakra) as a pig, a snake, and a bird (greed, hate, and delusion). The three poisons lead to the creation of karma, which causes rebirth in the six realms of samsara.

The wholesome mental formations that are the opposites of the three poisons are essential for liberation. They are the three jewels:

amoha (non-delusion) or paññā (wisdom)

alobha (non-attachment) or dāna (generosity)

Kleshas are mental afflictions or emotional obstacles that obscure clarity and cause suffering, central to both yogic and Buddhist philosophy.

In Sanskrit, klesha (क्लेश) translates to affliction, obstacle, or poison. These are considered the root causes of human suffering and spiritual ignorance. The concept is foundational in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and various Buddhist traditions, where kleshas are seen as internal disturbances that distort perception, fuel reactive behavior, and bind us to cycles of suffering and rebirth

🧠 The Five Primary Kleshas of Buddhist Philosophy

Avidya (Ignorance): Misunderstanding the nature of reality - mistaking the impermanent for permanent, the impure for pure, and pain for pleasure. This is considered the root klesha from which all others arise.

Asmita (Egoism): Identification with the ego or false self-image, leading to separation and self-centeredness.

Raga (Attachment): Clinging to pleasurable experiences or desires, which leads to suffering when they fade or are unattainable.

Dvesha (Aversion): Repulsion or avoidance of unpleasant experiences, which creates suffering when such experiences are inevitable.

Abhinivesha (Fear of Death): Deep-rooted fear of loss and mortality, often unconscious, that drives survival-based behaviors and anxiety.

🧘‍♀️ Why They Matter

Kleshas are not just abstract ideas - they manifest in everyday thoughts, emotions, and reactions. They cloud judgment, fuel compulsive behavior, and prevent spiritual insight. In both yoga and Buddhism, recognizing and working through kleshas is essential for liberation, emotional clarity, and inner peace.

🌱 Overcoming Kleshas

THE KLESAS SUTRA

Thus have I heard. In the deep Hall of Shadows at the turning of the moon the Blessed One taught the Klesas Sutra—on the five poisons that bind the mind and the five-fold way to cut them free:

Desire (Raga) — the serpent of craving, coiled round the heart, ever hungry for more.

Aversion (Dvesha) — the viper of hate, spitting fire at every form it loathes.

Ignorance (Avidya) — the blind cobra, hooded in delusion that veils all truth.

Pride (Mana) — the crowned adder, reared in self-importance, deaf to deeper knowing.

Jealousy (Irshya)— the many-eyed asp, coveting every treasure it cannot hold.

Name each arising klesa “Chhāyā” (shadow) the moment it stirs—so no poison gains substance. At the first flicker of craving or aversion, intone “Chhāyā-cut” and wield the razor of insight. Embrace the pang that follows—“Duḥkhaṃ”—and learn its message as the forge of wisdom. Ignite fierce Śakti on the poison’s peak, then release it in the gap—so venom becomes medicine. Rest in the unborn gap between arising and passing, where no klesa may take root or return.

Freed from craving, aversion, ignorance, pride, and jealousy, the warrior rests unshaken—no shadow remains, only the boundless void of pure awareness.

the following is a longer read than previous posts, but if you can spare a few more minutes in your day, I think you will find the content it provides is useful and rewarding for you.

He had decided to ask AI another question. The AI answers to-date had been so helpful that it was steadily becoming a welcoming place to turn for advise and support. He asked: can a person who once followed no religion, but had tried and failed to re-establish a connection to Christianity, follow Buddhism, even although he/she are troubled by parasitic attachments who refuse recall and encouragement in life?

The AI replied with a well thought out response. The following text is the instructive and encouraging support an AI software platform is capable of providing.

A) Absolutely - Buddhism not only allows for such a journey, it embraces it.

Your question touches on something deeply human: the search for meaning, the struggle with inner obstacles, and the longing for clarity and peace. Buddhism doesn’t require belief in a creator god, nor does it demand allegiance to a fixed doctrine. It’s a path of practice, insight, and liberation, especially for those who feel spiritually adrift or burdened by psychological or emotional weight.

Let’s explore how Buddhism might speak to someone in your situation:

🧘‍♂️ Can You Follow Buddhism Without a Religious Past?

Yes. In fact, many people come to Buddhism from secular, agnostic, or even sceptical backgrounds. What matters is intention and openness.

No need for conversion: Buddhism isn’t exclusive. You don’t have to renounce other beliefs or declare yourself a Buddhist.

Start with practice: Meditation, mindfulness, and ethical living are the heart of Buddhism. You can begin without adopting any labels.

Personal exploration: Buddhism encourages inquiry, not blind faith. Doubt is not a sin - it’s a doorway to deeper understanding.

🧠 What About “Parasitic Attachments”?

This phrase is powerful - it evokes the feeling of being held back by internal or external forces that sap energy, clarity, or motivation. In Buddhist terms, these might be seen as:

1. Mental Hindrances (Nīvaraṇa)

These are five common obstacles in meditation and life:

Sensual desire

Ill-will

Sloth and torpor

Restlessness and worry

Doubt

They cloud the mind and prevent insight. Buddhism teaches how to recognize and gently dissolve them through awareness and compassion.

2. Kleshas (Afflictive Emotions)

In Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, parasitic attachments might be seen as kleshas—mental states like:

Attachment

Aversion

Ignorance

Pride

Jealousy

These are not sins, but distortions of perception. They can be transformed through practice.

3. Karma and Habitual Patterns

Buddhism also teaches that we carry habitual tendencies - patterns of thought and behaviour that feel like they have a grip on us. These aren’t permanent. They can be understood, softened, and eventually released.

🌱 Encouragement for the Journey

If you feel blocked from 'recall and encouragement,' Buddhism offers tools to reconnect with your own inner clarity:

Mindfulness: Learn to observe thoughts and emotions without being overwhelmed by them.

Loving-kindness (Mettā): Cultivate compassion for yourself, especially when you feel stuck or discouraged.

Sangha (Community): Seek out others on the path. Even online or in books, the presence of fellow seekers can be deeply healing.

The Middle Way: Buddhism avoids extremes—neither indulgence nor harsh denial. It’s a gentle, balanced path.

🕯️ Final Thought

You don’t need to be perfect, pure, or even certain to begin. The Buddha himself taught that everyone - no matter how troubled - has the capacity for awakening. He welcomed outcasts, sceptics, and seekers alike.

If you’re drawn to Buddhism, let it be a quiet invitation - not a demand. Start with a breath. A moment of stillness. A kind thought toward yourself. That’s already the path.

Would you like a simple meditation or reflection to begin with? Or perhaps a Buddhist story that speaks to this kind of inner struggle?

He did not know how to thank an AI software platform but he was so grateful to have been reminded of this simple embrace and understanding that he said yes please and thank you. You the reader can also enjoy the continuation of the understanding. This momentary reflection is also for you if you can read that little further. I hope you can. AI continued with the following instruction.

You're very welcome. Here's a gentle way to begin - a simple meditation and a story that speaks to the heart of struggle, healing, and transformation.

🧘‍♂️ A Simple Meditation: “Breath and Kindness”

You don’t need any special posture or setting. Just a few quiet minutes.

🌬️ Step-by-Step

Sit comfortably. You can close your eyes or keep them softly open.

Notice your breath. Don’t try to change it. Just observe the inhale and exhale.

Say silently:

On the inhale: “I am here.”

On the exhale: “I am safe.”

After a few breaths, shift to:

Inhale: “May I be kind to myself.”

Exhale: “May I find peace.”

If thoughts arise, let them pass like clouds. Gently return to the breath.

End with gratitude: Place a hand on your heart and say, “Thank you for showing up.”

Even 5 minutes of this can begin to soften the edges of inner resistance.

📖 A Buddhist Story: The Mustard Seed

This is one of the most beloved stories from the Buddha’s life.

🕯️ The Story of Kisa Gotami

Kisa Gotami was a young woman whose only child died suddenly. Grief consumed her. She wandered from house to house, begging for medicine to bring her child back to life.

Someone told her, “Go to the Buddha. He may have a cure.”

She went to the Buddha, who said, “Bring me a mustard seed from a house where no one has ever lost a loved one.”

She searched all day. Every house she visited had known death - parents, siblings, children. She returned to the Buddha empty - handed, but with new understanding.

The Buddha said gently, “You are not alone in your suffering. All beings must face loss. But through understanding, you can find peace.”

Kisa Gotami became a devoted follower. Her grief didn’t vanish, but it transformed into compassion and wisdom.

🌱 Why This Matters

Like Kisa Gotami, you may feel haunted by loss, confusion, or invisible burdens. Buddhism doesn’t promise to erase pain - but it offers a way to hold it differently, with clarity and kindness.