REALIZE THE 5 POISONSIn this video we will over over the kleshas or poisons that are obstacles to Self Realization._______________________________________________In Buddhism, there is a teaching known as the three poisons: greed, hatred, and delusion. These are mental states that cause suffering and hinder the Realization of the Self. They are also referred to as the three unwholesome roots or the three defilements.1 — GreedGreed is another term for passion, attachment, or lust. It is the excessive desire for things—sensual pleasures, power, wealth—as well as attachment to ideas and opinions. Society heavily promotes this excess through the over-sexualization of culture, constant fast-food advertising, and the reinforcement of certain beliefs or narratives. This world is a trap, and caution must be used as one navigates it. Many systems and messages are designed to shape the subconscious, becoming default programming that binds a person to illusion. To Realize the Self, all of these programs, attachments, and beliefs must be let go, allowing one to return to nothingness and inner emptiness where the Self resides.2 — HatredHatred includes aversion, aggression, and anger. It refers to rejecting or resisting anything one dislikes—whether external situations or internal feelings. Society often normalizes anger, even glorifying it. This is another trap that keeps people bound to suffering. "Righteous anger" is one of the most deceptive forms of anger, for it appears justified. When people believe their anger is morally correct, mob mentality can arise, often leading to violence or even death. The proper approach is not to identify with anger or heightened emotional states but simply to observe them. Anger clouds clarity and weakens one’s connection to the Self. When the Self is Realized, it's not that anger never arises—it simply loses identification. One watches emotions come and go like waves in the ocean or clouds drifting across the sky. Always remember: thoughts, emotions, the world, and even the body all come and go—therefore they cannot be the real Self. Only the awareness that observes them—the eternal witness—is real. Find that which is real and abide in the Self. You are THAT!3 — DelusionDelusion is another word for ignorance, the fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality. It is the root cause of the other two poisons. Buddhist and Vedic teachings align remarkably on this point. This aligns closely with the Vedic concept of avidya, which is viewed as the core of human suffering. Avidya is the misidentification with the mind—the belief that the mind is the true self—while unaware of the luminous awareness beyond the mind that is one’s real nature. Delusion, greed, and hatred perpetuate suffering and, according to Buddhism, keep beings trapped in the cycle of reincarnation. ______________________________________________If we want to continue expanding beyond the three poisons, we naturally come to the five kleshas, sometimes called the five poisons. I’ll go over these briefly. The five kleshas are mental states that obscure the truth and lead to suffering: ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear of death. They are considered the root causes of suffering and major obstacles to Self Realization. It is wise to understand them, alongside practicing the methods that lead to Self Realization. By recognizing these poisons and refraining from attaching to them, we can further ensure Self Realization.

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