The Avidyas

Back in July we began the journey through the 5 qualities of mind that lead to Samadhi.  Each month we focused on one of the qualities, beginning with Sraddha (faith), moving through VIrya (vigor), Smrti (memory), Samadhi (contemplation) and finally Prajna (wisdom.)  Like any journey we can be directed to take shortcuts or be delayed along the way to linger for a time in a certain place. The journey in the mind can be quite a meandering path.  This quote explains it well.

For those of us who were not born into states of higher consciousness or knowing,

we must cultivate self-confidence and conviction to help us maintain

our persistence and strength, and to remember our direction

so that we may attain our goal of a focused mind and clear perception. (unknown)

To support us on this path of self-growth and higher consciousness we will turn to the Avidyas or Kleshas.  In The Heart of Yoga, T.K.V. Desikachar begins his foundation of yoga by explaining the Avidyas, defining the term as incorrect comprehension. They are the elements in which our perception can be quite clouded or distorted, leading us to be in the state of deception or ignorance.  Wow, this is powerful to open our eyes and minds to the potential that we are seeing things not as they are but as WE see them.

Think of Avidya as the root of the misperception, deeply embedded and under the surface feeding the other elements: Raga (attachment), Dvesa (aversion), Abhinivesa (fear) and Asmita (ego) are the branches spreading from Avidya and more easily seen.  Just like branches that can become entangled, the avidyas often work in synergy, feeding one another. Our aversion to something could be rooted in a fear or ego viewpoint. Our attachments can also be creating a false sense of security based on a fear, as we hold onto what our ego perceives as the best for us. 

A simple way to recognize how we see things from these perspectives is the phenomenon of buying a new car, and how you begin to see that type or color of your new car all along the highway.  Our ego can be driven by the desire we have to our new shiny vehicle while validating our decision by recognizing others have made the same choice.  Remember until we “awaken” all of this is happening deep within our consciousness.

For each of us we have deep attachments or desires (raga) that drive our dreams and hopes.  Recognizing how they may also be tainting our perspective can lead to moments of clarity on how raga can also limit our lives.  At the same time we may be fearing (abhinivesa) something on the level of our ego (asmita) thinking or feeling that we are not enough or worthy, which has us focusing on what we don’t want (abhinivesa.)  Our viewpoint becomes quite contaminated and deceived by the avidyas and we wonder why we can’t manifest our desires.

As we become aware of the avidyas and see how they play into our way of seeing, we have begun the practice of being clear. That is to say, this is not a matter of extinguishing the avidyas, rather we use them as sign posts to become aware and refocus.  We aspire to see what is beyond the fear, the ego, the attachment, and the aversion.  The practice is a rechanneling rather than an elimination process. 

This month we will explore the Avidyas, each week focusing on one but aware of all of them.  This will be a deep practice, which is always well served when we bring with us a dose of kindness, courage, and gentle self-care.  Let’s say where we can support one another on the journey.