Skip to content
  • Home
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Keys to Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Sunday Morning Sessions
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Sri Ramakrishna
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating to Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Topics
    • Yoga Terms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Favorites
    • Recent Additions
  • About
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Home
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Keys to Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Sunday Morning Sessions
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Sri Ramakrishna
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating to Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Topics
    • Yoga Terms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Favorites
    • Recent Additions
  • About
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Share
RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

The Five Afflictions 

Want to end the main causes of suffering in your life?

Yogis find that we suffer from five afflictions which keep us from enlightenment, happiness and being fulfilled in any lasting way. These five afflictions, or kleshas, are:  ignorance, egotism, immoderate liking, immoderate disliking and possessiveness. Find out how you can overcome these afflictions, the cause of all suffering.

Keys to Higher Yogas, Afflictions / Kleshas, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

Charles Johnston on Overcoming Self-Assertion

Self-assertion (ego) is released by devotion and by seeing God in others, striving to recognize and respect God in others and developing humility. Hate is overcome by love and the realization that we are all part of the one vast Spirit expressing individually.

  • Patanjali (The Yoga Sutras) described the five afflictions which keep us from being happy
  • Charles Johnston (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali) explains the five afflictions and tells us how to counter them
  • As we overcome the five afflictions, we live as spiritually conscious beings

Watch Next

22:06
How to find your true self and live in joy
8:42
Want meditations in which you meet Divine Consciousness?
16:00
Do you know your own soul? Would you like to?
You can cope with stress by...
1. Learning to relax at will
1. Learning to relax at will
True, but there is a better answer
2. Diaphragmatic breathing
2. Diaphragmatic breathing
True, but there is a better answer
3. Taking a “desire break”
3. Taking a “desire break”
True, but there is a better answer
4. All of the above
4. All of the above
Correct

Enjoy Ramakrishna Ananda leading you through relaxation practices that free you from stress.

New This Week

23:19
Do you know God delights in you?
33:26
What would you like to change?
Show More
Home > Videos > Keys to Higher Yogas > The Five Afflictions 
Next
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search

© Copyright 2025 Yoga World Fellowship

  • Terms and Privacy
  • Sitemap

How to Succeed

As you may know, we do not charge for our courses. All Yoga World content is free and available to you with our blessings. However, we do have a simple, but important request that’s key to the transformations necessary to succeed on the path.

We ask you to commit two hours a week to selfless service. This service can be anything you choose ranging from helping a family member or neighbor to volunteering at a nonprofit organization.

I Commit to Serve

This commitment is solely between you and your inner self.

Why the Commitment?

Share with a Friend

NOTE:  We will not share your information with third parties.