Indian psychology has a strong framework on which all the
theories and postulates have developed. Nearly all the scriptures and teachings
has its source in these guiding principles which have been circulating around
the concept of self, consciousness, self-development with the goal of self-realization.
Some of these guiding principle are
Ø Psychology is the study of the
person (jiva)
Ø The person is embodied with
consciousness
Ø Consciousness is distinct from
material objects, including the brain and the mind
Ø The mind is different from consciousness
as well as the body/brain-machine.
Ø Unlike consciousness, the mind is a
subtle material, even though it is not obvious.
Ø Unlike the brain, the mind has
non-local characteristics.
Ø The mind is not constrained by time
and space variables, as gross material objects are.
Ø The mind is the facilitating
instrument that interfaces consciousness at one end and the brain processes at
the other
Ø It is the stage "The inner
theatre" on which the processed sensory characters make their appearance.
Ø It is the inner observer as the mind
tends to validate as its own, what is displayed on its stage set up by its ego
function and illumined by consciousness
Ø This leads the person to
misinterpret the ego aspects of the mind as consciousness.
Ø Such a misinterpretation is promoted
by primeval ignorance (avidya) that is promoted by the congenital condition of
human existence that depends on sensory information and takes it as the
ultimate truth
Ø When a person is bestowed with
consciousness, mind and body, the person is capable of learning by processing
the information received through sense organs (śravanṅa) using the brain,
Understanding it mediated by the mind (manana) and access realization through
consciousness (nididhyāsana)
Ø Consciousness embodied in the person
is restricted, conditioned, and clouded by a stream of forces generated by the
mind-body connection.
Ø Consequently, the conditioned person
becomes an isolated instrument of individualized thought, passion, and action.
Ø From individuation arise, on the one
hand, subjectivity, rational thinking, relativity of truth, and values.
Ø On the other hand, from
individuation arises the ego as the organizing principle
Ø With the ego, come attachment and
craving, which in turn lead the person to experience anxiety, insecurity,
stress, distress, disease, and consequent suffering.
Ø Situated in such an existential
predicament of ignorance and suffering, the goal of the person is
self-realization.
Ø Self-realization consists in
achieving a state of freedom and liberation (mokṣa) by a process of
deconditioning training and the subsequent transformation of the person.
Ø This transformation is achieved by
controlling the mind, eliminating the ego, and realizing consciousness as such
in transcognitive states.
Ø Yoga is a method of liberation via
the realization of transcognitive states.
Ø Realization can be achieved through
different paths according to the different nature of the seekers. They are
ü The knowledge-focused jñāna yoga or intense
focused exploration and attainment of true Knowledge,
ü The devotion-filled bhakti yoga
which involves one's passionate nature to develop unconditional universal love
ü The action-oriented karma yoga for
those dominated by the tendency to function actively.
ü The process of following strict
discipline and practice of Rajayoga is the fourth route which is dominated by
the systematic practice of Asanas and Pranayama
Ø Thus wisdom, worship, Strict
discipline with Practice and work are three distinct routes for
self-realization.
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