The Patanjali – How It Happened
Over two millennia ago, an Indian sage named Patanjali uncovered something we still wrestle with today—our own minds are often the biggest obstacle to success. We hustle, we strive, but sometimes we end up sabotaging ourselves. We have grand ideas but fear failure, and we know when to pivot, yet we cling to old habits.
To tackle this, Patanjali penned the Yoga Sutras, a timeless guide for mastering the mental game of life. In these teachings, he identified five core mental barriers, known as the Kleshas, that keep us from breaking through to the next level—not just in spirituality, but in business, leadership, and personal growth.
Today, we’ll break these barriers down in plain language, showing exactly how they show up in your life and how to finally overcome them.
The 5 Mental Blocks That Hold You Back
Patanjali wasn’t talking about gym workouts or stretching poses. His Yoga Sutras were about mind control, decision-making, and breaking free from limiting beliefs.
1️⃣ Ignorance (Avidya) – Sticking to What No Longer Works
How it slows you down:
- You refuse to adapt because “this is how we’ve always done it.”
- You let old-school mindsets keep you from modern solutions.
- You dismiss new knowledge instead of learning and evolving.
💡 Example: Your business is losing customers, but instead of updating your strategy, you keep hoping things will go back to “the way they were.”
What to do instead:
Adapt or get left behind. In today’s world, staying the same is the fastest way to fail.
2️⃣ Egoism (Asmita) – Thinking You’re Always Right
How it messes up your growth:
- You ignore advice because “I know my industry better.”
- You resist feedback that could actually help you.
- You’d rather struggle alone than ask for guidance.
Example: You start a new venture but refuse to listen to experts. You keep pushing your idea—until it crashes.
✅ What to do instead:
Drop the ego. Successful people surround themselves with mentors, not “yes-men.”
3️⃣ Attachment (Raga) – Holding Onto Things That Are Holding You Back
How it kills progress:
- You stay in bad deals, bad jobs, and bad relationships because you’re emotionally attached.
- You waste time, money, and energy trying to fix something that needs to be left behind.
- You can’t move forward because you won’t let go of the past.
Example: A startup spends years trying to make an outdated product work instead of shifting to a new opportunity.
✅ What to do instead:
Detach and redirect your energy. Learn when to cut losses and move on.
4️⃣ Aversion (Dvesha) – Avoiding What Makes You Uncomfortable
How it slows you down:
- You avoid taking risks because “what if I fail?”
- You stay away from hard decisions even when they are necessary.
- You reject challenging opportunities out of fear of stepping up.
Example: You get a high-paying offer in a new industry but reject it because it means learning new skills.
✅ What to do instead:
Get comfortable with discomfort. Growth starts where your excuses stop.
5️⃣ Fear of Change (Abhinivesha) – Hesitating to Take Bold Action
How it blocks your success:
- You stay where it’s safe, even when you know it’s not where you belong.
- You overthink every move instead of just making the move.
- You fear the unknown, so you settle for average.
Example: You dream of launching a business but never start because you keep thinking “What if it doesn’t work?”
✅ What to do instead:
Decide, act, and adjust later. No one has it all figured out. The ones who win are the ones who start.
The Takeaway – What Patanjali Knew Before We Did
Patanjali didn’t just talk about meditation and breathwork. He was onto something bigger:
🔹 Success is an inside game. You can have all the skills, tools, and money—but if your mind is working against you, you’ll stay stuck.
🔹 You don’t need motivation—you need clarity. The real breakthrough happens when you spot what’s holding you back and let it go.
🔹 Action beats overthinking. Start before you feel ready. Drop what’s weighing you down. Take the shot.
So, which of these Kleshas is stopping you? Drop a comment below & let’s talk!
See you in tomorrow’s ISTKonnect Insight. We’re just getting started.
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