INTRODUCTION
One of the most valuable
contributions of India to the world is the in-depth research, detailed
exploration, systematic analysis and elaborate recording of the different
dimensions of human existence and nature, their relationship with the
environment and with consciousness. Indian
psychology is psychological system derived from indigenous thought Indian
psychology is based on ideas and practices that developed over thousands of
years within the Indian sub-continent. The sources of Indian psychology are the
ancient scriptures and systems developed in various parts of the sub-continent
THEORETICAL
ROOTS OF INDIAN PSYCHOLOGY
The conceptual roots of Indian
psychology are available in the scriptures dating back thousands of years.
These concepts extensively dealt with the analysis of states of consciousness
and the contents of mental activities. The core feature of Indian psychology
has been to relate to oneself experientially and explore oneself through
introspection and self-verification. The ancient Indian scriptures have never
created a distinction between religion, spirituality, philosophy, and
psychology. The brand image of religion for the philosophical thoughts which
included psychological perspectives was given by the western cultures. These
western cultures had associated many of the practices which were used to
maintain the physical and psychological health of individuals more as
traditional practices of Hinduism, Buddhism or any other religion which was
prevalent in the eastern world some of which were also termed as superstitious.
The prime focus of the eastern systems was to guide individuals in the direction
of self-realization. The path to self-realization was understood to provide solutions
to the distress people undergo at different phases of their life.
The Indian psychological approach
presumed that the source of all psychological problems was within the person.
The emphasis was on exploring the 'world within', to find solutions to the
problems at the same time provide methods for a systematic development of
individuals. Indian psychological approach believed that this can be achieved
by creating a harmony between spirit, mind, and body which can result in
everlasting happiness. It was in this pursuit that the yoga system evolved. The
yoga system brought in graded mind-control techniques from simple to complex
approach – the one that can be pursued by anyone according to their capacity.
The roots of newly emerging
developments in the field of psychology have been found in traditional Indian
thought and practices. As stated in the Pondicherry Manifesto (2002),
"Rich in content, sophisticated in its methods and valuable in its applied
aspects, Indian psychology is pregnant with possibilities for the birth of new
models in psychology that would have relevance not only for India but also to
psychology in general." The plurality of Indian tradition and philosophy
of accommodating diverse thought systems have been providing extensive Knowledge
for creatively building a new and effective system of approach for the field of
psychology and psychological practices. Despite all diversity and
distinctiveness between the Indian and western approaches in the field of
psychology, there are some features common across all systems and schools of
western psychology which is relevant to Indian psychology.
Indian psychology can be deemed as
universal. Indian psychology deals with the perennial issues of human existence
which are not bound by any geographical region or time. The scholars and thinkers of ancient India were raising the
same questions and dealing with the same problems that are prevalant
today. In this sense, Indian psychology
is both ancient and contemporary at the same time. Most of these theories are
propounded as trans-historical, dealing with the essential human nature and
ways to harness human potential.
Another important feature of Indian
psychology is that it primarily deals with the inner state of a person, taking
consciousness as the primary subject matter of study. It however should not be
misinterpreted that Indian psychology is not concerned about human conditions
of poverty, injustice, and pain. Indian psychology does not dismiss the
empirical research in these areas but provides a broader perspective within
which their findings should make sense, not just be data in numbers. The
theories and practices of Ayurveda are the fine examples of how everyday
practices can be providing a healing effect on both physical and psychological
problems
Indian psychology is spiritual in
its orientation. Spiritual does not mean it is associated with a world that is
different and un-conceivable, nor does it have any relationship with religion
or rigid inflexible systems of practice. Spirituality here implies various
aspects associated with the whole range of human progression, without making a
distinction between natural and supernatural. It suggests developing faith in
the existence of higher powers. A person who can relate to these higher powers
would be able to seek the higher-order truth of life. Spirituality has given
way to the development of broader theories related to human existence,
understand paranormal powers, creativity, and intuitive thinking, which
generally many people exhibit in their normal course of life. Though
spirituality is at the core of most of the Indian theories it is not bound by
any particular faith or ism and serves to provide a secular account of human
nature.
Indian psychology has been dealing
with many areas in which contemporary western psychologists are interested in.
At the same time, it also has something unique which could be added to many of
the contemporary thoughts. It also has many commonalities with western
psychology based on the contributions it can make in the different fields
related to psychology. For example, if we take up the structure of the
personality then we find that the Indian system talks about ahaṁkāra, which
stands somewhere in between the Western concepts of ego and self-concept. But
besides this ego, which belongs to the ordinary waking consciousness, the
Indian system further gives a detailed nomenclature for many other, more subtle
states and levels of consciousness. It has even worked out, how consciousness
can exist without any specific center whatsoever. The Indian traditional
psychological theories have found how below the surface of our waking
consciousness, not only the unconscious' that western psychology has explored,
but a whole range of subtle kośas or layers of consciousness exists, each of
which has its unique characteristic and nature.
Indian psychological thoughts have
even worked out many different ways of 'realizing' through one's sense of being
and experience which is transcendent beyond all nature. It has found that all
these inner layers, types, and centers of conscious existence have their
influences on the manifested personality. With sufficient training, an
individual can understand these layers of personality, which can enable a sense
of freedom, peace, joy, compassion, and understanding beyond what is possible
in the normal waking state.
Indian psychology is based on
realistic practicable methods. Methods of observation and experimentation are
evolved to study the inner functioning of a person. In these methods of self-observation,
no distinction is made between experience and observation. The true knowledge
is not considered as abstract and impersonal but as the realization of one's
being. There are methods of direct observation of self (e.g., intuition) is in
contrast to the methods which rely on sensory and mental mediation. The methods
of direct observation of self, rely on blending the understanding based on the
experiences of the individual with the perspectives of others. When these two
perspectives are taken together it provides personal, subjective,
non-relational verification and in-group inter-subjective validity.
Indian psychology is applied. Indian
Psychological systems does not focus only on testing the existing theories and
developing generalizable propositions. It deals more importantly, about the
practices that can be used for the transformation of human conditions towards
perfection. That is the transformation of the person to higher levels of
achievement and well-being. The goal of Indian psychology is to help the person
shift from a conditional state (mechanical and habitual thinking) to an
unconditional state of freedom and liberation. This transformation, in simple
terms, implies becoming more objective, discretionary, balanced, and knowing
about the sources of distortion. Indian psychology extensively deals with ways
to deal with human suffering and lead a person in the path of personal growth.
Indian psychology is
research-oriented. While the methodology of western psychology focuses on the
study of the "other‟ person, Indian psychology (as other eastern
psychologies) focuses on the study of "own-self‟. The effective changes
can be brought about in human society only if understanding and approaches of
both the individual self and the understanding by others of events and
experiences are taken for research. The methods used in Indian psychology are
perception or observation (Pratyaksha) and inductive and deductive inferential
reasoning (Anumana). It also recognizes various other sources of valid knowledge
such as literature by scholars or testimony by the competent authority (Sabda
or Apthavachanam), Traditional knowledge (Aitihya), analogy or comparison
(Upamana), implication (Arthapatti), of events (Sambhava ). Further, in
addition to pure empirical observation, several other non- empirical approaches
such as Intuition (Pratibha-Jnana), intuition based awareness propagated by
learned people (Arsajnana), unobservable perception (Siddhadarsana ), yogic
perception (Yogi-pratyaksha) are also used as the sources for developing and
updating the knowledge base.
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