The original meaning of "kleshas"
This article explains the original meaning of "kleshas" from a scientific perspective.
What Are "Kleshas"?
In Buddhism, kleshas (defilements or afflictions) are regarded as the root cause of suffering.
Kleshas do not refer to desire itself, but rather to cognitive distortion — the decline in thinking abilities due to intense desire.
Kleshas arise through the following process, creating a vicious cycle in which minor pain leads to even greater pain:
- You experience pain.
- A desire to escape the pain arises.
- You attempt to block the painful information from consciousness.
- Your brain fails to process essential information needed to resolve the situation, impairing your thinking abilities.
- You become unable to solve your problems rationally.
- Your problems worsen, causing even greater pain.
This type of cognitive distortion is referred to in psychology as "cognitive bias" or "emotional bias" and is considered a natural response that can occur in anyone.
Meditation Technique to Eliminate Kleshas
So, how can these kleshas be eliminated?
As mentioned above, kleshas arise from the attempt to block the painful information from consciousness.
Therefore, by doing the opposite — by facing pain directly, rather than avoiding it, we can eliminate kleshas.
Indeed, the Gautama Buddha discovered that by observing pain through meditation, kleshas can fade away, leading to complete inner peace (Nirvana).
We have researched and developed this meditation technique as Pain Scan Meditation, which can be practiced by anyone.
For details, please see the article "How to Practice Pain Scan Meditation".
Related Buddhist Terms
- "The Four Noble Truths" explain that kleshas are the root cause of suffering.
- "The Noble Eightfold Path" describes the practical method for eliminating kleshas.
- "Nirvana" is the mental state in which kleshas have been completely eliminated.