Abhinivesha (Clinging to the Body)
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Humanities
Overview
In this lesson, we delve into teachings related to the fifth klesha, abhinivesha (clinging to the body).
Objective
Understand abhinivesha as clinging to the body and how this klesha differs from natural self-preservation instinct.
What You'll Get
You'll explore one of the most deeply embedded obstacles to freedom. This isn't about suppressing your survival instinct—it's about recognizing the emotional attachment and fear that keeps you identified with the physical body. Through study and practice, you'll see how meditation and yogic techniques can shift your perception of life and death, reducing fear and opening the door to greater freedom. This teaching matters whether you're working with your own existential questions or helping others navigate grief, illness, or the bigger questions of existence.
Teachings
- While abhinivesha refers to attachment to life, it is not the same as the instinct for self-preservation.
- The fear of death that abhinivesha describes is the clinging to the body.
- According to Swami Satyananda Saraswati, if attachment to the body can be reduced, then fear of death can be reduced to a minimum.
- As with other kleshas, abhinivesha is said to be so deeply embedded that theoretical knowledge is inadequate in conquering it. The path of yoga is said to be the only way to gain freedom.
- B.K.S. Iyengar points out that yoga practices such as meditation allow the yogi to experience unity and perceive that there is no difference between life and death. Through this understanding, the yogi conquers the fear of death.
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