# The Kleshas: Yoga’s Map of Human Suffering

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/deepen-your-yoga-practice-7000189/the-kleshas-yoga-s-map-of-human-suffering
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/deepen-your-yoga-practice-7000189/the-kleshas-yoga-s-map-of-human-suffering.md
Podcast: [Deepen Your Yoga Practice](https://stenobird.com/podcast/deepen-your-yoga-practice-7000189)
Published: 2026-03-23T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://deepen-your-practice.castos.com/episodes/the-kleshas-yogas-map-of-human-suffering
Audio file: https://episodes.castos.com/66ba3e93ca38b7-69875388/2371854/c1e-j7w99h416x5hxk7kq-mkg27px1s78p-1bphuo.mp3
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Duration seconds: 971

## Resource

In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc explores the five kleshas — the root causes of suffering described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Book II, Sutras 3–9). These ancient psychological insights, compiled around 400 CE and influenced by Samkhya philosophy, offer a powerful framework for understanding why we repeat patterns, cling to identities, avoid discomfort, and fear change. Lauren unpacks: What the kleshas are historically and where they appear in the sutras The five kleshas: Avidya (misperception), Asmita (ego-identification), Raga (attachment), Dvesha (aversion), and Abhinivesha (fear/clinging to life) How they show up in modern life — social media, productivity culture, politics, parenting, wellness culture, and relationships Why the kleshas are not sins, but universal human tendencies How meditation, self-study (svadhyaya), non-attachment (vairagya), and conscious pause help loosen their grip This episode is not about self-judgment. It’s about compassionate awareness. The kleshas are proof you are human — not failing at yoga. Freedom, Lauren reminds us, is not removing suffering from the world. It’s loosening the grip suffering has on your perception.

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## Transcript

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