The Pursuit of Happiness

“Giving up attachment to the ego and the world perceived by the five senses is not a negation of the ego or the world; it is an effort to end the suffering caused by ignorance. This is the true pursuit of happiness”- Sharron Gannon and David Life (Jivamukti Yoga)

Kleshas are obstacles that slow us down on the path to enlightenment. There are five of them:

1-    1) avidya: ignorance

2-    2) asmita: egoism

3-    3) raga: excessive attachment to pleasurable things

4-   4)  dvesa: excessive aversion, hatred

5-   5)  abhinivesha: fear (of death)

All of the kleshas arise from the first one, avidya (ignorance). Strong identification with the senses causes us to be ignorant to our true nature, which is the consistent Self. Overcoming kleshas will allow us to experience deep self-awareness and bliss. Letting go of these attachments allows us to observe ourselves and live to our highest potential.

 Avidyasmita Raga Dvesabhinivesah Klesha

"ignorance, egoism, attachment, hatred, and clinging to bodily life are the five obstacles"

Yoga Sutra  2.3

When we practice Yoga, our fears, ignorance, and attachments in our body/mind are all brought to surface. Examples of this are: fear of bending backwards or inverting, being ignorant to the needs and limitations of your body, being attached to the depth of your asana instead of the integrity of it, or staying in the ego and only practicing poses you are advanced at. These emotions and tendencies lie inside our bodies. Opening areas such as hips, shoulders, hamstrings, groin (just to name a few), help us break through the kleshas internally thus effecting our lives outside asana practice. Where do the kleshas arise in your everyday life? In your yoga practice?

Detaching from the perception of the five senses brings an end to the suffering caused by ignorance. When we have new experiences or put ourselves in situations that make us uneasy, it makes us stronger and wiser.  Learning more about our higher Self opens up doorways to enlightenment and our Yoga practices (asana, pranayama, personal ethics, devotion…) keep us in check on the journey.