New cryptoculture.info Mindful Message! 12.10.24

Rise & Grind 👑 🙌🏾

Yesterday, we introduced the concept of the Kleshas, those mental poisons that subtly (or not-so-subtly) shape our lives. Today we’re breaking them down, & exploring their roots in both Indian yoga & Buddhist philosophies, and looking at how they overlap.

Indian Yoga Philosophy’s 5 Kleshas:

According to Indian yoga, the 5 Kleshas are:

1. Ignorance (Avidya): The granddaddy of all poisons, mistaking the temporary for eternal, or the false for true.

2. Ego (Asmita): The need to identify everything as “me” or “mine.”

3. Attachment (Raga): Clinging to what feels good, even if it’s not good for us.

4. Aversion (Dvesha): Rejecting or avoiding discomfort, often at our own expense.

5. Fear of Death (Abhinivesha): The deep-seated fear of change or loss.

Buddhist Philosophy’s 3 Poisons:

In Buddhism, the Kleshas are boiled down to 3 core afflictions:

1. Ignorance (Delusion): Not understanding the true nature of reality.

2. Attachment (Greed): An insatiable craving for pleasure or control.

3. Aversion (Hatred): Pushing away anything unpleasant.

Where They Overlap:

Both systems start with ignorance as the root cause of suffering. Without clarity, our ego, cravings, and fears run the show.

Attachment and aversion pop up in both as twin forces that keep us cycling between “I want this!” and “I can’t stand that!”

How They Differ:

Indian yoga expands the list to include ego and fear of death as distinct obstacles.

Buddhism keeps it simple, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ignorance, attachment, and aversion.

Think about how these poisons show up in our lives. Do we cling to relationships or habits that no longer serve us (attachment)? Do we avoid challenges because we’re afraid to fail (aversion)? Are we stuck in old beliefs about who we “should” be (ignorance)?

Awareness is the first step in using an antidote . We can use mindfulness practices like heart coherence to quiet the noise, Taoism’s Wu Wei to flow with life’s challenges, and The Four Agreements to speak truth and avoid taking things personally. When we name our poisons, we can start dissolving them.

Let’s set our intentions to shining a light on these inner obstacles. 🙏🏾