By Jeanne Adams, Inner Connections Yoga & Wellness, Rock Salt Therapy & CommuniTEA
According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, there are 5 main kleshas (or afflictions) that we suffer from as humans. Avidya is known to be the root cause of the other kleshas and is defined as a basic ignorance of who we are and of the underlying reality that connects everything in the universe.
There are several different parts or layers to Avidya that stem from our beliefs about ourselves and the world based upon our experiences (perception): how we identify ourselves, others, and why. What we need to remember is Neti, Neti -that “we are not this body, we are not this mind.” As a Yoga practitioner we become wise by lifting the veil of ignorance and acting from a place of clarity.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra II.5 provides hints for identifying when we have slipped into Avidya. “Avidya is to mistake the impermanent for the eternal, the impure for the pure, sorrow for happiness, and the non-Self for the true Self.”
1) Mistaking the impermanent for the eternal. We are constantly changing and everything around us is always shifting. We deceive ourselves by thinking that there are certain things in life that we can’t live without. But we always manage to re-adjust. For example, a smoker who claims she couldn’t possibly live without a cigarette knows on some level this is simply untrue. We live with this deception that we can’t live without certain things – mistaking what is impermanent for something permanent. Being present and non-attached are ways in which we can lift this veil.
2) Mistaking the impure for the pure. Sometimes we can convince ourselves that something is true when deep down we know it is not. George Costanza from Seinfeld says to Jerry who is about to sit down for a lie detector test, “It’s not a lie if you believe it”. Our thoughts can become clouded if we habitually delude ourselves to perceive the world a certain way. We begin to believe our own delusions are truth!
3) Mistaking sorrow for happiness. Think of immediate, self-gratification or things that feel good initially but may eventually lead to sorrow. Over-indulging or being attached to the way a certain food, place, or person makes us feel but then lets us down. Believing that having a “toy” would be the best thing ever, and then growing bored with it. Real joy bubbles spontaneously within us, the delight in life itself. It is the kind of happiness that is its own reward, not that depends on something else, even something as subtle as a yoga practice, it always ends, and when it does, it can leave an emptiness in its wake (attachment).
4) Mistaking the non-self as the Self. Identifying our Self by what we do and who we think we are. We are not our jobs or hobbies, habits or desires, likes or dislikes. We are not our bodies, our passing moods, or thoughts about ourselves. Avidya is merely creating a false identity and alienating us from our true Self. When we are mindful of this and recognize that there is something unchanging, joyful, aware, vast, and made of love within us and do things each day to bring us closer to God and our higher Self, we are reestablishing harmony on a Universal scale.
Avidya is a veil shielding us from shining brightly as our highest, true selves – with love, light, and peace. The root word, Vidya, is true wisdom, highest understanding, so when we experience pure consciousness, we are knowing and living in Vidya.
Reflection exercise: Ask yourself the following:
How does avidya show up in my life?
When have I mistaken the impermanent for the eternal, the impure for the pure, sorrow for happiness, and the not-Self for the true Self?
What labels do I give myself?
What do I identify with?
How do I compare myself with others?
What labels do I use?
Many blessings on your path,
Jeanne
