Summer School Indian Psychology
a comprehensive six-week introduction

The Indian Psychology Institute
Puducherry — INDIA
27 May to 7 July, 2012

Last update: 30-1-2012

Overview

The programme of the Summer School Indian Psychology focuses on issues that are relevant to contemporary psychology, but looks at them from the perspective of Indian philosophy. Typical issues include the meaning and purpose of life; the nature of the self and the personality; different types of knowing and how to perfect them; emotions, feelings and inner states — their appreciation and mastery; stages of development; relationships; tools and aids for inner growth; difficulties and how to deal with them; working with others in education, well-being, counselling, therapy, organizations and community development. The basic framework from where we'll look at these issues is the integral psychology of Sri Aurobindo, with, where needed, reference to classical texts like the Rig Veda, the major Upanishads, the Gita, Patanjali's Yogasutras, and schools of Indian psychology like Samkhya, Vedanta, Buddhism and Sufism. Special attention will be given to research methods and teaching/learning methods that are appropriate for Indian psychology, and to the application of Indian psychology in self-development, education, counselling, and management. 

Target Group

The Summer School is meant for academics and professionals who are active in the field of psychology and who use (or plan to use) ideas, attitudes and practices derived from the Indian tradition in their work and personal development. The programme is targeted primarily at university level teachers and researchers who already have a serious involvement in Indian psychology and want to deepen or widen their understanding. Others, for example students who consider doing a PhD on an Indian psychology related topic, can also apply, but should be ready for a lot of hard work, both outer and inner.

Programme & Daily Routine

The six weeks will have the following major themes: introduction & overview; assimilation & integration; research methodologies; self-development; working with others; and conclusion.

The daily program will typically involve four intensive, interactive sessions, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, plus a more informal meeting in the evening.

Approximately half of the afternoon sessions will be reserved for independent work on individually chosen Indian Psychology projects. Such "IP-projects" will involve both literature study and self-observation; they aim simultaneously at personal growth, theoretical insight and psychological skilfulness; all three can be used in work with oneself and with others.

Besides this ongoing programme, there will be a number of "one-day specials" on themes like: the Upanishads; Patanjali's Yogasutras; the Gita; and Buddhism

We envisage the summer school as a collaborative effort, in which participants who already have a good understanding of some specialised area of Indian psychology will share their expertise with the others.

Outcomes

Those who already have a good grounding in Indian psychology can expect to widen and deepen their understanding, and to become more proficient in teaching and guiding research in the subject. Those who have as yet only a limited acquaintance with the Indian knowledge tradition can expect to become capable of introducing at least some aspects from Indian psychology in their teaching and research. Outcomes on a more personal level are difficult to predict, but almost all participants in previous workshops spoke of inner growth: an increase in awareness and insight in what goes on inside onself, a growing mastery over one's thoughts, emotions and responses, and a greater inner harmony, peace and happiness.

Place and Duration

The programme will be conducted in Puducherry, India. The full course will be six weeks, from May 27th to July 7th, 2012. Preference will be given to candidates who will attend the full course, but partial participation may be considered in special circumstances.

Child care

We'll try to arrange some form of collaborative care and attention for accompanying children. Please indicate in the application form if and how you would like to participate in such an arrangement.

Costs

There will be no fees for this course. Participants will, however, have to look after their own board and lodging. We can help to arrange this for anything between Rs. 120 and Rs. 1200 per day, depending on the type of accommodation required. Basic learning material will be free; additional material can be provided at cost. In special cases scholarships may be provided.

Registration

Please send the information requested in the Registration form by email to mail@ipi.org.in before February 15th. We'll leave only a few seats to be filled up after this date.

Further information

For a short description of what is meant by "Indian Psychology", one could consult the Introduction to Foundations of Indian Psychology.

The latest information on the Summer School Indian Psychology will always be available here at http://ipi.org.in/events/ssip2012-info.php. For any other enquiries, please write to mail@ipi.org.in with "ssip" in the subject header of your email.

Summer School Indian Psychology
27 May – 7 July,  2012
Pondicherry, INDIA

Registration form
Please email before February 15th to mail@ipi.org.in with "ssip" in the subject header

Mr. ☐   Ms. ☐   Prof. ☐   Dr. ☐

Name:

Year of birth:

Telephone/mobile:

Address:

City:

State/Country:

Present occupation:

Past and present involvement in Indian Psychology:

What I hope to learn during the summer school:

What I intend to do with it:

I would like to participate in collaborative child-care during the classes. yes ☐; no ☐
The age of the child(ren) I'll bring will be:

I'm interested but not certain yet     ☐

I will attend if selected                     ☐

Date:                                Name / Signature:

Place: