Dvesha: The Sickening

Dvesha

Aversion

Dvesha, Aversion, is the opposite of Raga, Attraction, but influences the mind in much the same way. The things we are attracted to we can become attached to. The same attachment arises from Aversion as well. A desire to avoid the things we have had unpleasant memories of is a form of attachment.

Early in the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali addresses attachments by way of it’s opposite, detachment. In Sutra 1.12-1.16 he outlines one of the most significant principles in the Yoga Sutra, that of Practice (Repetition) and Detachment. Following this teaching we would actively engage with the things in which we are attracted to and averse to all the while remaining pleasantly detached. The intensity of the object of aversion would give insight into our ability to practice detachment of the object.

For example, as a child I loved ice cream (duh). One day my mom had given me Rum Raisin ice cream of which I immediately rejected. Few kids are interested in having dried fruit in their dairy. This stuck with me until my 35th year!! I was out to dinner with friends and one suggested Rum Raisin ice cream for dessert. Well, I was resistant but he assured me it would be delicious. My distaste to Rum Raisin was broken that night as was my connection to the aversion of it. Now, this example is light and easy to handle. There are more severe objects and situations that require a strong will and stable mind.

When it comes to, let’s say, complicated relationships, there is a tendency for the intensity of actions within the relationship to be at a high or extreme level. Patterns are formed and impressions are laid within the psyche of those involved. Then, the karmic chain s formed.

Interestingly, actions that were unpleasant as children are sometimes repeated as behaviors as adults. Thus the cycle of karma continues. One way to break the chain is to identify, process, forgive and detach. A challenging prospect for sure and one that will likely need the assistance of a qualified therapist.