12/07/2025
🪷 Sutra 2.8: Duḥkha-anuśayī Dveṣa
~ Aversion that follows after pain ~
🌿 Where Rāga clings to what feels good, Dveṣa does the opposite — it pulls away from what once hurt. It’s not the pain itself, but the tightening after it, the learned resistance that sticks around even when the moment is safe.
You might notice Dveṣa when you:
• Avoid a situation because of a past negative experience
• Brace or tense before there’s a real threat
• Feel guarded with certain people or places
• Resist change because last time didn’t go well
✨ This week’s invitation:
Ask yourself—
“Am I protecting myself — or avoiding something that’s no longer a danger?” Even a small pause creates room to move with intention instead of habit. That’s where you step out of the cycle of rāga (reaching for what felt good) and dveṣa (turning from what felt bad) — and into the present moment as it actually is.
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If this reflection speaks to you, join our monthly free online gathering with Shuba where we explore the Yoga Sutras in Community.
Sign up here 👉🏽 https://yogaacton.com/weaving-the-yoga-sutras-into-everyday-life/
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