Five causes of suffering according to Yoga Darshana

Five causes of suffering according to Yoga Darshana

Introduction

All the schools of Vedic & non-vedic thought - acknowledge the brute fact that all the living creatures are experiencing the "suffering" in various forms and in various degrees.

In Buddhism, the worldly affair ("samsara") itself is the cause of suffering. In Jainism and Vedanta, the karmic-cycle is the cause of suffering.

In Yoga Darshana, this suffering is called "klesha" and it has five causes: Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (pride), Raga (attachment), Dvesha (aversion) and Abhinivesha (fear of death).

"Klesha" prevents the mind from evolving into a fertile ground for spiritual growth. 

With the right spiritual practice, "sadhaka" removes these five causes and progresses in his / her spiritual journey.

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you this introductory series on "Five causes of suffering according to Yoga Darshana".

Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you to study Vedic literature and implement them in your day to day life.

In our next write-up we will discuss the first cause "Avidya" (ignorance)

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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1. Avidya (ignorance)

In Vedic tradition, "Vidya" (spiritual knowledge) produces "nishcaya jnana" (fixity on absolute truth). 

On the other hand, "Avidya" (lack of spiritual knowledge), produces "anishchaya jnana" (unhinged opinions about the truth). 

For example, when we suffer unexpected moral or natural evil, we ask “why me?”. This question comes from the ignorance of spiritual knowledge about the karmic-cycle and our own unhinged opinions about worldly affairs. Once we acquire “Vidya”, we discern our own karmic residues and accept the responsibility for the present situation. This “Vidya” reduces or even removes the suffering as we face up to the world with “nischaya jnana”.

In Yogic tradition, study of scriptures in Vedic tradition is recommended to cultivate "Vidya" and eliminate "anishchaya jnana".

If you are a beginner in spiritual practice, you may start your study with simple scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutra etc. This will help you to cultivate the habit of continuously acquiring "Vidya" and gradually progress in your spiritual journey.

In our next write-up we will discuss the second cause of suffering "asmita" (pride).

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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2. Asmita (Pride)

In the yogic tradition, "Ahankara" is self-awareness, "Asmita" is pride and "Swanuraga" is narcissism.

An individual's view of oneself can range from simple self awareness to a complex pride and also to the destructive narcissism. Self awareness is part of "sattvika guna", pride is part of "rajasa guna" and narcissism is part of "tamasa guna". 

Self awareness ("Ahankara") is an essential aspect of survival. In Yogic tradition, it is observed as part of deep meditative practice.

Pride ("asmita") is also essential to create wellbeing at the social level but at the individual level, the “sadhaka” should endeavor to remove it. Because pride is one of the causes of an individual's suffering. Pride creates a self-image and any damage to this image causes mental agony.

Narcissism (“swanuraga”) along with psychopathy and machiavellianism makes “dark triad” as defined in contemporary psychology. Since narcissism benefits the self by force at the expense of others, it should be completely removed both at the individual & social level.

A daily meditative practice of observing our tendencies towards pride helps us to gradually remove it from our unconscious mind.

In our third write-up, we will discuss third cause of suffering “raga” (attachment)

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

3. Raga (attachment)

Humans are social animals and a bonding within the society is a key factor in the survival & procreation of humankind. 

The cognitive evolution in human beings has enabled the mind to turn a simple thought into a complex emotion. 

One of such simple thoughts is “love / affection” which often becomes a complex emotion i.e, “attachment”. While simple love / affection is enough for a fulfilling life, we unconsciously turn it into a complex attachment which creates a miserable life.

In Vedic tradition, love and affection is celebrated but attachment is discouraged. 

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that - continuous contemplation of a thing leads to attachment; attachment leads to desire; desire leads to anger; anger leads to clouded mind; a clouded mind becomes incapable of distinguishing right from wrong; then the intellect is destroyed; and ultimately jeevatma loses divinity (2: 62 & 63).

A daily meditative practice of observing our cravings helps us distinguish between our simple thoughts like love / affection and complex emotions like attachment. This enables us to distance ourselves from the things / ideas / humans..etc to which we are attached. 

In our next write-up, we will discuss the fourth cause of suffering “Dvesha” (aversion)

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

4. Dvesha (aversion)

In general parlance, “dvesha” is equated with “hatred”. However, in vedic tradition “raga-dvesha” indicates “attachment - aversion”.

The cognitive evolution in human beings has enabled the mind to turn a simple thought into a complex emotion. 

One of such simple thoughts is “protective avoidance” which often becomes a complex emotion i.e, “aversion”. While simple “protective avoidance” is enough for safety in life, we unconsciously turn it into a complex aversion which creates misery in life.

In Vedic tradition “protective avoidance” is encouraged but “aversion” is discouraged. 

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that it is natural for senses to experience attachment & aversion. But they are foes and should be avoided. (3.34)

A daily meditative practice of observing our likes & dislikes helps us distinguish between an essential protective-avoidance and a complex emotion like aversion. This enables us to enhance our ability to face-up-to the world and perform our duties irrespective of unnecessary aversions.

In our next write-up, we will discuss the fifth cause of suffering “Abhinivesha” (fear of death)

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

— 

5. Abhinivesha (fear of death)

One of the fundamental questions of philosophy in all of human history has been the question on life after death. 

In non-religious / secular philosophy, most philosophers take the position of negating life after death. However, some hold that the life-essence continues its journey in the cosmos in different forms. 

In all the major religious philosophies, life after death is accepted in various forms. In Vedic philosophy, including yogic tradition, transmigration of “jeevatma” is accepted. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says - as a person puts on new garments, giving up the old ones, “jeevatma” accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones (2.22). Many such metaphors are used in Bhagavad Gita to explain this transmigration of “jeevatma”.

Even for those who study scriptures, the fear of death remains - as the transmigration is not in their direct experience. Hence Vedic tradition suggests using “yukti” (inductive / deductive logic) to discern its proposition on transmigration.

The understanding of scriptures in Vedic tradition and logical thinking should be adopted in meditation - in order to get rid of the fear of death. 

Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought you this introductory series on "Five causes of suffering according to Yoga Darshana".

Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you to study Vedic literature and implement them in your day to day life.

All the best.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe