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Four Courses
Indian Psychology

At Puducherry and Delhi
May to December 2013

 

Overview

These courses offer an introduction to Indian Psychology. They are largely, but not exclusively, based on the work of Sri Aurobindo, and cover topics like philosophical background; self and personality; cognition and modes of knowing; yoga-based research methodologies; motivation and the aim of life; emotions and attitudes; individual change and development; relationships; professional work involving Psychology (education, therapy, organisational Psychology, etc.).

Information transfer is, however, only one aspect of these courses. Their central focus is on increasing one’s self-knowledge, and on developing consciousness-based psychological skills and attitudes that help both in one’s personal growth and in one’s work. We feel that in Indian approaches to Psychology one has to begin with understanding one’s own self, and apply that understanding to life. Only then, can one hope to understand, teach or otherwise help others.

Background

There is much that the Indian tradition can contribute to our psychological understanding of human nature. Classical Indian literature, philosophy and yoga are based on a deep insight in life and how it unfolds on this planet, and Indian approaches to Psychology can add depth and meaning to psychological theory as well as practice. The life-affirming spirituality that is the very basis of the Indian civilization is not only essential for our own individual happiness, but also for the harmonious evolution of the global civilization. In theoretical fields as well as in applications like counselling, psychotherapy and education, Indian approaches to Psychology are not only in harmony with the Indian culture but also with human nature in general. As such, they can play a crucial role in the future of the whole of humanity. In these courses we try to develop a genuinely integral approach to Psychology, for which we base ourselves largely on Sri Aurobindo’s synthesis of the Indian tradition, though other sources are brought in when needed.

Eligibility

These courses are open to anyone who seriously wants to get an experience-based understanding of Indian approaches to Psychology. However, preference will be given to post-graduate students, teachers and professionals in Psychology and related subjects, who intend to take up teaching or research work in the field of Indian Psychology.

Content and structure of the courses

The basic concepts and processes that are part of Indian Psychology are explained in lectures and discussion groups that are based on an intense, direct interaction between the facilitators and the participants. To the extent possible we have, besides the larger groups, also small-group and individual sessions. An attempt is made to help the participants experience the core concepts and processes that come up in the lectures, and to explore, both collectively and individually, how they can be used for one’s personal growth as well as in one’s professional work.

During the course the participants are required to take up a research project in any area of Indian Psychology of their choice. These largely self-directed projects must involve besides literature study, detached self-observation and other yoga-based research methodologies. The research projects begin during the eight-day intensive and continue till the final weekend in December. There will be opportunity to discuss and present the projects within the peer-group meetings and during the two follow-up weekends. At the end of the course a project-report needs to be submitted. Maintaining a diary is also part of the course structure.

The courses consist of:

  • One eight-day intensive in Puducherry
    This intensive can be taken:
    • from May 26 to June 2 (booking closed) or
    • from June 23 to June 30 (booking closed).
  • Two follow-up weekends
    These weekends can be taken:
    • in Delhi (September 7-8 and December 7-8) or
    • in Puducherry (September 14-15 and December 14-15).
  • Peer-group meetings
    These are organised by the participants themselves between the eight-day intensive and the December weekend, at least once monthly; fortnightly is recommended. The location and the timings are chosen according to the convenience of the participants. For the Puducherry course they can be organised in parallel in Puducherry, Bangalore, Pune and other cities were participants reside. For Delhi we recommend one group in South Delhi (e.g. in the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi Branch) and one group in North Delhi (e.g. at DU). Participants from earlier IPI courses can be invited to join these peer-group meetings to share their experience and expertise.

The four courses

  1. “Indian Psychology Course May 2013 - Delhi” (booking closed)
    As Delhi is well connected, residents of other places in North-India can also apply.
    • 8-day intensive in Puducherry
      - May 26 to June 2, 2013
    • 2 weekends in Delhi
      - September 7-8, 2013
      - December 7-8, 2013
  2. “Indian Psychology Course May 2013 - Puducherry” (booking closed)
    As Puducherry is well connected, residents of other places in South-India can also apply.
    • 8-day intensive in Puducherry
      - May 26 to June 2, 2013
    • 2 weekends in Puducherry
      - September 14-15, 2013
      - December 14-15, 2013
  3. “Indian Psychology Course June 2013 - Delhi” (booking closed)
    As Delhi is well connected, residents of other places in North-India can also apply.
    • 8-day intensive in Puducherry
      - June 23 to June 30, 2013
    • 2 weekends in Delhi
      - September 7-8, 2013
      - December 7-8, 2013
  4. “Indian Psychology Course June 2013 - Puducherry” (booking closed)
    As Puducherry is well connected, residents of other places in South-India can also apply.
    • 8-day intensive in Puducherry
      - June 23 to June 30, 2013
    • 2 weekends in Puducherry
      - September 14-15, 2013
      - December 14-15, 2013

NB. The Intensive is always in Puducherry; it can be taken end May or end June.
The follow-up weekends can be taken in Delhi or in Puducherry.

Fees etc.

The total fee for the Puducherry courses is Rs. 2500/-.
The total fee for the Delhi courses is Rs. 5500/-.
This fee includes course-material, lunch, tea and snacks. Accommodation can be arranged at cost in one of the guesthouses of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. In Puducherry this ranges presently from Rs. 150/- to Rs. 600/- per person per night; in Delhi it is presently Rs. 600/- per person per night (incl. all meals).

Scholarships

The fees mentioned above are an attempt at covering our expenses, but we would not like financial constraints to be in the way of anybody’s participation. In case of difficulty, please feel free to contact us.

8-day intensive, peer-group meetings, and follow-up weekends go together

Please note that the 8-day intensive, the intermediate peer-group meetings and the two follow-up weekends go together: It is not possible to do only the intensive or only the weekends. The reason for this arrangement is that singular workshops tend to be instructive and inspiring, but the inner change they bring about doesn’t last. The intermediate peer-group meetings and the two follow-up weekends, spread over the following semester, help to turn the changes, which have been initiated during the intensive, into an integral and permanent part of one’s life and work.

Course facilitators

These courses are organised by the Indian Psychology Institute, a unit of the Sri Mira Trust, Puducherry.
The main facilitators are Matthijs Cornelissen and Neeltje Huppes. Amongst other available resource persons we are happy to have Sampadananda Misra, Vladimir Iatsenko, Devdip Ganguli and Suneet Varma.

Two review articles about previous Indian Psychology Courses by IPI

Registration

Please email the following information as early as possible, but not later than April 15, 2013
to: mail@ipi.org.in

  1. A 300 word “biographical note”
     Focus here on the work you have already done in the fields of Psychology, Indian philosophy and yoga.
  2. A 300 word “motivation note”
    Focus here on why you are interested in this course, what you expect from it, and how you plan to use what you will learn after completing this course.
  3. Factual information
    • Which course (Puducherry or Delhi; end May or end June):
    • Name:
    • Gender:
    • Year of birth:
    • Educational qualifications:
    • Present position & place of work:
    • Preferred Postal Address:
    • Email address(es):
    • Telephone / Mobile:

There are only limited seats, so if you are interested, please register at the earliest, but not later than April 15, 2013. 
Please don't send the fees before you have received our acceptance email.
For the latest information, visit: http://ipi.org.in

If you need any further info, you can write to
mail@ipi.org.in