This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

The wave yearns to be water: cultural practices in the Indian tradition to invoke wholeness

Mrinalini Rao & Swami Brahmavidananda Saraswati — Mumbai

At the heart of the wellness industry promising nirvana of different kinds is the human search for the infallible and a desire to be happy. Although religions talk about this, in the name of science and psychology we may think that is best to not examine religion, which is after all a matter of faith because of the wounds left by religion. Religion is not merely a set of beliefs but is embedded in the values, customs, rituals, ethics of a culture and society. All of philosophy and psychology to heal and guide people has been a product and a sign of its times embedded in the culture and practices. 

The paper makes an attempt to reconnect with the way of Life that is intrinsic in India for peace and happiness – Sanatana Dharma. Some of the themes discussed are: Human pursuit – Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha, Karma Yoga, Form and substance – the reality behind it all, Invocation of the divine as for Hindus there is no sacred - secular divide. All of creation is divine. Prayer and its benefits, Worship, Mantras, Bhajans, Power of stories and Hindu temples as an expression of the Hindu understanding of the world in the social fabric have been discussed.

Being the oldest civilisation and being its torch bearers we owe it to our land, our tradition and heritage to understand it. As Carl Rogers father of modern psychotherapy eloquently puts it, To truly listen is to risk being changed.  Implications for psychotherapy and counselling are discussed following each theme.

Email the author, Dr. Mrinalini Rao, at mrinalini.rao@rediffmail.com<