Testimonials

“As a Fulbright scholar from the US interested in studying Indian knowledge systems, I feel I couldn’t have chosen a better lab than the Antardrishti lab led by Dr. Anuradha Sathiyaseelan. My first experience with the lab was attending a learning circle— a virtual forum for students and faculty to discuss topics of various interests. From this very first meeting, I could tell the lab was incredibly intentional about diffusing knowledge in an accessible way, and the kinds of conversations that followed were interesting, relevant, and applicable beyond the academic context. 

In the first circle I attended, the speaker said something that stuck with me: “To understand knowledge is not just to gather information, it’s also to study the epistemology, history, and philosophy of that information”. Hearing this early in my Fulbright journey grounded me in the fact that my quest to study Indian healing systems would require not only academic knowledge acquisition, but dedicated personal practice, deep reflection, and thoughtful immersion in India’s history and traditional philosophies.

The lab continued to expose me to new ideas and new ways of exploring the blend between Indian healing and western psychology. Students were always willing to share resources academic and personal resources with me, leading me to amazing experiences that shaped my journey in India.

It was also clear to me that the lab values collaboration and kindness, as all students were willing to work together and praise one another for their accomplishments. In the turnover ceremony, I saw how students were quick to acknowledge each other strengths and it was clear that the lab culture breeds kindness, collaboration, and friendship. 

There is no other lab I would have chosen for my Fulbright journey. This lab is passionate about knowledge diffusion, academic collaboration, and empowering students to reclaim indigenous wisdom. If anyone is curious about the applications of India’s traditional healing in the modern psychological landscape, I highly recommend connecting with the Antardrishti lab.“

Coming to Christ University for eight weeks through the Shastri SICI internship completely shifted how I view psychology. Working under Dr. Anuradha’s guidance at the Antardrishti lab was the absolute highlight of my entire time in Bangalore.

My daily routine was simple, but intense. I spent time sitting in sessions with different professors, learning about Indian Knowledge Systems, absorbing ideas about traditional frameworks of the mind and mental health that I had never been exposed to before. Afterward, I would head straight over to the lab. That space became my anchor. It was where I sat down to process all those eye-opening discussions and write out my daily reports while the concepts were still fresh in my head. Having a dedicated hub to sit down, digest everything, and translate complex traditional philosophies into practical academic writing made the entire learning process stick in a way reading textbooks never could.

Antardrishti is doing work that feels rare and necessary. Instead of just taking standard Western psychological theories and trying to force them onto the Indian population, the lab focuses on indigenous concepts related to the self and mental well-being within their actual cultural context. It gives you a whole new lens for looking at issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Dr. Anuradha created an environment that feels grounded, intentional, and intellectually demanding in the best way possible. She has a clear way of guiding you to think more deeply about the theories of knowledge and history behind the information, rather than just treating it as raw data to collect for a paper. The mentorship I received from her changed how I evaluate research altogether. On top of that, the atmosphere in the lab made it easy to focus. The other students and researchers were always open to sharing resources, exchanging thoughts on IKS, and helping me navigate the academic landscape in India. You could tell right away that the space values genuine collaboration and open learning above everything else.

I left those eight weeks with a completely different outlook.

Between Dr. Anuradha's guidance, the constant learning sessions, and having the lab as a solid base to unpack everything, I gained a perspective on indigenous psychology that I know I couldn't have found anywhere else. There is really no other lab I would have wanted to spend my internship with. If you are curious about Indian Knowledge Systems, want to understand how traditional wisdom fits into modern psychological research, or just want to learn from people who are passionate about reclaiming indigenous wisdom, Antardrishti is the exact place you need to connect with.