Indian Psychology

Emergence of Indian Values in 21st Century

The Landscape of Indian Psychology

Psychology in India has a rich history, dating back to ancient philosophical and religious texts. However, modern psychology in India largely adopted Western theories and notions during the British colonial era (Misra & Paranjpe, 2012). While Western psychology has provided valuable insights, there is a growing need to establish an indigenous Indian psychology better suited to India's unique cultural context (Sathiyaseelan et al., 2023). This requirement arises from the understanding that Western theories may not always be applicable or relevant to the Indian people, resulting in misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.

The establishment of an Indian Psychology Lab would serve as a dedicated hub for research and development within the domain of indigenous psychology. It would provide researchers with the opportunity to systematically explore and seamlessly integrate traditional Indian concepts related to the mind, self, and mental health into established psychological theories and practices. Furthermore, the lab would establish a framework for conducting focused research on mental health issues specific to the Indian population, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, as they manifest within the unique context of India. This comprehensive approach aims to foster the development of culturally sensitive interventions for mental health problems, enhancing their effectiveness for both Indian individuals and communities. Additionally, as a center of excellence, the lab would actively contribute to the training of future generations of psychologists in the intricacies of indigenous psychology, thereby ensuring the enduring sustainability and advancement of this field.

Introducing an Indian Psychology Lab could serve as a resource for the community, providing public education and awareness about mental health issues and indigenous psychology approaches, clinical services that are culturally sensitive and accessible to the community, and consultation as well as training for mental health professionals working in the Indian context.

Consequently, this initiative is poised to actively contribute to enhanced mental health outcomes for the Indian population, actively promoting cultural understanding and sensitivity within the field of psychology, actively fortifying the foundation of indigenous psychology in India, and actively elevating global recognition of Indian psychology.

Indian Psychology: History and Context

Indian psychology possesses a rich and extensive history. However, as a distinct subfield within the broader discipline of psychology, it is still considered relatively young. For much of its development, psychology was strongly influenced by Western theories and researchers.

In the post-independence era of the 1970s, it became apparent that Western psychological models had limited applicability within the Indian context. They failed to address the internal tensions arising from a desire to uphold Indian values. This realization, coupled with a lack of substantial contributions to overall psychological knowledge, spurred a need to rediscover India's psychological identity.

Jadunath Sinha's 1981 work, "Indian Psychology, Emotions, and the Will," marked a significant step in developing a uniquely Indian psychological approach. Scholars such as Durganand Sinha and Jai Sinha were instrumental in advancing indigenous perspectives. Indian psychology emerged from a thoughtful integration of Western psychological principles with insights drawn from a profound understanding of Indian cultural heritage.

Key figures like Kuppuswamy, Sen, Mishra, Ramachandra Rao, Paranjpe, Dalal, Mohanty, Joshi, and Matthijs Cornelison have all made invaluable contributions to Indian psychology. Their research and publications have expanded the field and advanced its understanding.

Indian psychology is rooted in the traditions embedded within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. These systems offer intricate models of the mind, consciousness, and the self. Their emphasis on introspection, meditation, and the pursuit of inner understanding provides a unique perspective on human experience, a stark contrast to the behaviorist and externally focused approaches that dominated much of Western psychology in the 20th century.

While Indian psychology emphasizes the specific cultural and spiritual context of India, it also seeks to uncover universal psychological truths. Researchers in this field investigate how culturally shaped concepts like family, duty, and social hierarchy interact with fundamental psychological processes. The goal is not only to understand the psychology of Indians but also to generate knowledge that enriches our understanding of human psychology in general.

Indian psychology, as a developing field, faces several challenges. These include a need for more systematic research methodologies tailored to the exploration of Indian psychological concepts. Additionally, there's the task of bridging the gap between ancient philosophical insights and modern psychological science. However, Indian psychology holds immense potential in areas such as mental health, well-being, conflict resolution, and education, tailored specifically to the cultural realities of India.

Antardrishti - Indian Psychology Lab aims to play a pivotal role in overcoming these challenges and realizing the field's potential. The lab would provide a dedicated space for rigorous empirical research grounded in Indian concepts and frameworks. It would allow for the development of culturally sensitive assessment tools and interventions, promoting a psychology that is both relevant and effective within the Indian context. Moreover, an Indian Psychology Lab would foster collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and traditional knowledge holders, leading to the innovative integration of insights from diverse sources.

Indian Psychology: Key Historical Concepts

This section provides a chronological overview of how psychological thought and its study developed in India, from ancient times to the modern era, setting the stage for the need for indigenous approaches.

Ancient Philosophical Roots (Pre-Colonial Era)

Vedic & Upanishadic Thought: Concepts of consciousness (Brahman, Atman), self, mind (Manas), intellect (Buddhi), and ego (Ahamkara). Discussions on inner experience, meditation, and the path to self-realization.
Yoga Philosophy (Patanjali's Yoga Sutras): The eight limbs of Yoga as a psychological framework for mind control, self-discipline, and achieving higher states of consciousness. Concepts like chitta-vritti-nirodha (cessation of mind's modifications) and kleshas (afflictions).
Buddhist Psychology: Focus on suffering (Dukkha), the nature of the mind, mindfulness, the Noble Eightfold Path, and concepts like Anatta (no-self) and impermanence.
Jain Philosophy: Emphasis on the soul's liberation, karmic theory, and mental purity.
Ayurveda: The concept of Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and Triguna (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) related to temperament, mental constitution, and holistic well-being.
Key Thinkers: Brief mention of prominent ancient Indian thinkers whose works touched upon psychological themes (e.g., Patanjali, Buddha, Shankaracharya, Charaka).

Colonial Influence & Westernization (18th - mid 20th Century)

Introduction of Western Psychology: How British colonial education led to the adoption of Western theories (e.g., structuralism, functionalism, psychoanalysis, behaviorism) in Indian universities.
Establishment of First Departments: Mention of early psychology departments in India (e.g., University of Calcutta in 1916).
Focus on Replication: Early Indian psychologists primarily replicated Western studies and theories, often with little consideration for the unique Indian context.
The 'Adopted' Framework: How Western models became dominant, leading to a disconnect with indigenous psychological insights.

Post-Independence & Emergence of Indigenous Psychology (Mid 20th Century - Present)

Quest for Indian Identity: Growing realization among Indian scholars of the limitations of purely Western models and the need for culturally relevant psychology.
Calls for "Indianization" / "Indigenization": Efforts to develop psychology rooted in Indian culture, philosophy, and social realities.
Key Figures & Movements: Mention pioneering Indian psychologists who advocated for indigenous approaches and conducted relevant research (e.g., J.B.P. Sinha, D. Sinha, A.K. Singh, and others).
Challenges & Opportunities: Discuss the ongoing challenges in establishing indigenous psychology globally and the opportunities for its growth and impact in India and beyond.

Roots of Thought: Psychology in India

This section delves deeper into the core philosophical and spiritual tenets from ancient Indian traditions that form the "roots" of psychological understanding, focusing on specific concepts rather than chronological development. This is more about the ideas themselves and their psychological implications.

The Nature of Mind & Consciousness

Manas, Buddhi, Ahamkara, Chitta: Detailed explanation of these distinct mental faculties as described in various Indian philosophical schools (e.g., Sankhya-Yoga, Vedanta). How they function and interact.
States of Consciousness: Exploration of Jagrat (waking), Svapna (dreaming), Sushupti (deep sleep), and Turiya (transcendent state) as different psychological realities.
Consciousness as the Ground: The idea that consciousness (Chit or Brahman) is the fundamental reality, distinct from the mind and body.

Concepts of Self:

Atman (Vedanta): The immutable, eternal self, underlying all experience, distinct from the temporary ego. Its implications for identity and well-being.
Anatta (Buddhism): The doctrine of "no-self," emphasizing the impermanence and interconnectedness of all phenomena, challenging fixed notions of identity.
Koshas (Yoga): The five sheaths or layers of existence (physical, energetic, mental, wisdom, bliss) that envelop the self, providing a multi-dimensional understanding of human experience.

Understanding Suffering & Well-being:

Dukkha (Buddhism): The concept of suffering, its causes (attachment, aversion, ignorance), and the path to its cessation.
Kleshas (Yoga): The five afflictions (ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, fear of death) that cause suffering and hinder psychological clarity.
Moksha / Nirvana: The ultimate psychological goals of liberation, enlightenment, and freedom from suffering, as described in various traditions.

Ethical & Moral Frameworks for Psychological Conduct:

Yamas & Niyamas (Yoga): Principles like Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (continence), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) and Saucha (purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline), Svadhyaya (self-study), Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to higher principle) – discussed as psychological virtues for mental health and interpersonal harmony.
Dharma: The concept of righteous conduct and duty, and its role in creating individual and societal well-being.

Mind-Body Connection & Holistic Health:

Concepts from Ayurveda and Yoga emphasizing the inseparable link between physical health, mental states, and spiritual well-being.
Practices like Pranayama (breath control) and Dhyana (meditation) as tools for psychological regulation and insight.