The Kleshas: Asmita

We are well over halfway through our examination of the five Kleshas and I hope these posts have been enlightening in a way that shines a little light upon these most common aspects of the human condition.

We have discussed a lot in these posts about ‘suffering’ and about what that means within the context of Yoga - but let’s not get too caught up the language and words here; suffering is absolutely part of the human experience and not something to be rejected or run from; it is within the examination of our individual suffering that one discovers our commonality with all of humankind.

The Kleshas have a universal relevance that extends beyond the constraints of time, place, or social standing. It's an inherent truth that all of humanity experiences suffering – it is a shared aspect of the human condition.

While the specific circumstances triggering this "suffering" may differ significantly in their particulars, the core reasons behind our collective struggles remain the same. The Kleshas illuminate these fundamental causes of suffering, offering us profound insights that, upon closer examination, guide us towards the path of liberation from our shared burdens.

Asmita:

Asmita, within the yogic tradition, is the Klesha of ‘egoism’, ‘egotism’ or ‘individuality’.

Asmita refers to an all too common mistaken identification or attachment to a false sense of self, where one falsely believes that the ego or personal identity is the true essence of who they are.

Within the context of Yoga philosophy, Asmita is one of the “five afflictions” or “five poisons” that stunt one’s spiritual progress and lead to suffering.

The false identification with the ego creates a sense of separation between the individual and the world around them. It creates and reinforces a vicious circle of the illusion of duality, causing individuals to perceive themselves as separate from others and their environment.

It is interesting to note here that this ignorance of the true nature of the self contributes to attachment (‘Raga’), aversion (‘Dvesha’), ignorance (‘Avidya’), and other afflictions.

According to Yoga philosophy, the true nature of the self (‘Atman’) is pure consciousness or awareness, which is interconnected with the universal consciousness (‘Brahman’). However, due to the influence of Asmita, individuals mistakenly identify themselves with their physical body, thoughts, emotions, societal roles, and possessions, creating a limited and distorted sense of self.

The practices of Yoga assist the Yogi within their examination and transcendence of Asmita as a way to realise the true nature of the self. Through various yogic practices, such as consistent and disciplined practice of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, individuals can detach themselves from the identification with the ego and cultivate a sense of expanded awareness or higher consciousness. This process allows one to experience a deeper connection with others and the world, leading to a sense of unity and liberation from the limitations of individuality.

Asmita is seen as one of the primary obstacles to self-realisation or attaining knowledge of one's true nature as Brahman. By recognising, releasing and simply letting go of our false identifications, one understands the illusion of separate individuality and individuals can experience a sense of liberation, freedom, and unity with all beings.

This realisation is considered a crucial, if not the most important, step in the path toward spiritual awakening and self-realisation.