All World
Gayatri Pariwar

The psychological evolution of human mind appears to have been stagnated in the mirage of insane passions and egotist-obsessions in the present times. The mental complexities generated thereby have not only hindered and hampered the elevation of personality, but have also shaken and cracked its inner structure and stability.  The situation is really pathetic; we can hardly find anyone around whose mind remains balanced and is always free of tensions, stress and worries.  The shadows of cultural anarchy, tribulations, fright and disharmony seen on the social fronts are also the collective reflections of the inner disharmony, fear, desperation, insecurity, despair, jealousy, discontentment and suppressed desires, etc at the individual levels.  Communal clashes, riots, corruption, burglaries, rising incidents of violence, rapes, suicides and murders, etc, are common happenings in every part of the world, which is perpetually frightened and stunned under the threat of global terrorism. At the root of all these devilish drives lie the ghostly complexities of the ignorant, perverted, and shattered minds.

The accelerating rate of psychosomatic diseases and personality-disorders are cause of serious concern and have posed an unprecedented challenge to human intellect and consciousness. The psychological-crisis of this age is perhaps the severest of the crises human race has ever faced.   Neurosis, Psychosis, Sizophrenia, Alzheimer disease, Amnesia, Aboulia, etc have become common terms these days. According to a survey, 80 to 90% of the diseases – including those having symptoms manifested only in the physical body – are consequences of the internal disharmony, disintegration and splitting of the human psyche. Harmonious integration of mental and emotional faculties, aspirations and deeds is essential for healthy development of personality. Because of our extrovert attitude, most of us, including the experts of modern medical sciences, have neglected this essential facet of healthy and hearty life.

Pointing at the severity of the psychological complications found in majority of people today, noted psychiatrist Dr. Progoffe remarks that –– unless we recognize the urgent need of internal transformation of the shattered psychology, it would be difficult to reverse the subtle but fast decline of human health (and hence the existence of human civilization) towards pathetic extinction.   Several other experts and farsighted reformers have also initiated mass awareness programmes and remedial measures from the philosophical, religious and scientific platforms. However, there are limitations of such efforts, more so because of their own prejudices and narrow approaches.

Philosophical attempts are by and large nothing more than intellectual exercises and lack practical applicability. Efforts from the religious fronts suffer the drawback of rigid belief systems, prejudices of blind faith and unscientific attitude.  Scientific efforts are driven more by the contemporary trends; for example gene therapy and cloning have become the 'all-promising' keys of frontline biomedical research today - what was perhaps the case with early research in antibiotics a century ago. Hardly anyone feels the need to consider the risks of going against Nature or of adopting an integrated approach incorporating the sublime layers of consciousness; they don't even consider the role of mind and emotional core on sound health.  Despite the plethora of ever new technical terminology and advanced research, the single-tracked scientific approach is only scratching at the superficial layers of some sub-systems of human body alone. In reality, even the physical body of a human, in its living state, is much more than simply a highly evolved biochemical system.  The body-mind duo is only a tool, a medium of expression of the consciousness force of the human self; a human is also a psychological and, above all, a spiritual being.

The psychological studies of the modern times have no doubt been of great importance in elucidating the importance of mind. The research in psychology since the times of Freud and Jung, has helped affirmation and analysis of the unconscious mind to some extent and has also attempted at understanding several types of psychological deficiencies and disorders. The concepts of Id, Ego, and Superego developed here to plumb the psychological depths of human personality have also been of significance in giving some direction to recognize the existence of individual-self and consciousness-force.

However, the psychological theories and models that emanated from Freud's hypotheses contain many misconceptions and lay undue emphasis on beastly instincts and unfulfilled desires. Renowned  thinker and psychologist Lawrence Hyde aptly comments on it as –– the erroneous and incomplete approach of Freud's theories becomes obvious when one looks into (researches and tries to explain) the positive facets of human psychology and virtuous elevation of personality.  Freudian psychology affirms a human mind as enslaved of intrinsic tendencies of lust.  Scholars like Prof. Viktor E. Frankl find this approach dangerous for the human society, as Freud’s logic would lead to unrestrained sexuality, selfish obsessions and social anarchy driven by virtual negation of moral disciplines.  

Carl G. Jung has been an eminent psychologist who considered a broader and more comprehensive perspective. His theory of "individualization" emanates from an unbiased and deeper realization of consciousness and allows more expanded and higher level study. His approach converges with that of the Vedic sages as far as the psychological aspects of personality are concerned. Contrary to Freud, he recognizes and emphasizes the importance of moral disciplines and values in transmutation of personality.  

However, Jung's theory remains inconclusive and incomplete in explaining the sublime evolution of consciousness. For example, he postulates the plethora of the devilish as well as saintly elements lying dormant in the unconscious layers of individual consciousness. The unbounded expressions of intellect – from preposterous insanity to preeminent realms of sagacity also seem to be illusively conceptualized in his models as different states of the unconscious mind. In short, his perception of the 'self' appears rather constrained and relative.  His approach does not have a reach to the super-conscious beyond the unconscious.  Similar is the case with the other researchers and scholars who have drastically modified Freudian psychology and given new directions to and laid the foundation of the modern schools of psychology; the list includes Eric Fram, Erickson, Karenhorny, Sulivan, etc. Their focus is generally the 'self' emanated from the 'ego' and they view the individual personality mostly in contemporary social context.

The above considerations have, by and large, dominated the study of consciousness in modern psychology till date. Significantly different and worth mentioning here is the theory of humanism by Maslow.  He liberates the psychological views from the rather negative and mechanical outlook of 'Freudism' and 'pragmatism' by emphasizing the essential presence of "self-actualization" and "metaneeds" in human nature. This way he seems to proceed one step ahead from Jung towards spirituality. But, his concept of "Self-Actualization" also originates from the same idea of 'ego' as defined by his predecessors. His conceptualization of "Self-Transcendence" indicates the hidden aspiration of the human-self for spiritual fulfillment. It has been the basis of research in "Trans-Personal Psychology" today.  However, like the theory of Jung, these innovative and in-depth ideas also are somewhat confined in the peripheries of 'mind' and 'psycho-synthesis of life' only. This is mainly because of the lack of sound philosophical foundation and misconception of mystical elements of the knowledge of the sublime evolution of consciousness force.  

The root cause of the limitations of the modern psychological developments in deciphering the multiple dimensions of personality appears to be –– narrow understanding of the nature of human consciousness and near total absence of realization of deeper layers of consciousness beyond the mental domain. Maharshi Aurobindo points out this fact eloquently with deep insight. His views could be summarized as –– consciousness is often regarded as synonymous with the mind but this is only a (narrow) perception of the human intellect. The entirety of consciousness is far beyond and infinite.

Thinkers like Swami Pranavanand have therefore remarked that –– Today's psychologists and psychiatrists might adjust or alleviate certain psychosomatic disorders, but nothing beyond that.
 
What the current developments in cognitive and neurosciences know of the human consciousness is like a tip of the iceberg viewed on a hazy day.  There appears to be several illusions such as those of – regarding the soul and the mind as one; confusing the realms of consciousness only as those perceivable and expressible by the body and the mind; and neglecting the importance of spirituality. Erudite scientist of human mind, Dr. Lawrence Hyde also recognizes these lacunae and accepts that because of the limitations of psychological sciences, the deficiencies and complexities of personality could be diagnosed and cured by these methods up to some extent only. Total healing and positive transformation is impossible to be achieved by these approaches. He opines that the dispersion of mind, abrupt scattering of one's life and splitting of personality cannot be checked without inner-engrossment.   

Rev. Gurudev Shriram Sharma Acharya and Rev. Mataji Smt. Bhagavati Devi Sharma have demonstrated that solutions of all psychic problems and worries could be found in the deeper depths of the inner-self.  All current remedial measures for mental peace and happiness and attempts of healing the complexities of personality and resolving the complications of life are like pouring water on the leafs instead of irrigating the roots of a plant.  

The Vedic Science of Yoga begins with the recognition of existence of immortal and eternal soul as the essence of personality and regards its super-consciousness as the origin of the self and the foundation for manifestation of personality.  The methods of yoga therefore focus on the awakening of the inner force and encompass enlightened aspects of life in general; cultivation of positive attitude, mental liberation and incessant purification and refinement of personality are emphasized here.  Rather than being confined to the ego of individual self, the yogic psychology aims at uniting it with its supreme origin and unfolding its unbounded expansion in the infinity of the omnipresent consciousness force.  

The methods of yogic therapy not only heal psychosomatic disorders and effectuate harmonized mind-body cooperation, but also helps in integrated development and ennobling transmutation of personality and life as a whole. According to yoga philosophy –– expansion of the narrow peripheries of selfishness towards selflessness and transformation of the ego-based individual self into the impersonal self is essential for the realization and manifestation of the real self in its entirety. Thus, the science of yoga seems to begin where the peripheries of psychological and neurosciences end. The former encompasses all dimensions at the gross physical, mental, (para)psychological, and spiritual domains of human life.

The adoption of yoga therapy is also the key to attainment of vigorous potentials, virtuous talents and unlimited joy.   As Swami Yatishwaranand puts it  –– in the state of yoga-trance, the individual consciousness is synthesized with the cosmic consciousness. As a consequence, at the gross level, the mind-body system remains fully organized and energetic without any pressure or hindrance and also receives the natural support and driving force of the inner strength (inner self).       
    
Several eminent scholars and medical experts have also expressed similar views on the promising role of yoga therapy in resolving the crisis of psychosomatic disorders and complexities of a disintegrated and shattered personality. Based on his long-term research and thorough analysis, Prof. P. A. Sorokin concludes that yoga therapy encompasses all the scientifically sound approaches of the modern psychological/psychiatric methods and other modes of health care. It is more vast, advanced and diverse and at the same time least dependent on external aids/instruments.  Dr. Geraldyne Koastler  has carried out a comparative study of yoga and modern medical sciences. She has recognized yoga methods as universally effective and of immense benefits for the human society.  She also finds yoga as a definite and practical science of mental evolution. She firmly believes that "Yogsutras" of Maharshi Patanjali contain those solutions (keys), which the most advanced and eminent neuroscientists and psychologists among us are eagerly searching for today.

Farsighted thinkers and scientists concerned with the pathetic condition of physical and mental health across the world have envisaged a leading role for yoga in alternate and complementary therapies. They have also recognized the need for revival of yoga practices and research studies on the philosophy and science of yoga for integrated psychological and personality-refinement.  Several researchers have also reviewed the ancient Indian science of mind in this regard. Yadunath Sinha's "Indian Psychology", Swami Akhilanand's "Mental Health and Hindu Psychology", Raghunath Safaya's "Indian Psychology", Dr. Shantiprakash Atrey's  "Yoga Mahavigyan", etc are notable contributions in this direction. However, much more remains to be done, especially towards investigation into yoga philosophy and science, comparative study of modern and other ethno therapies for mental health and consciousness issues, leading to practical implementation of an integrated comprehensive approach towards psychosomatic healing. Dev Sanskriti Vishwq Vidyalaya, Shantikunj, Hardwar has also initiated innovative efforts through its trend-setting curriculum of Yoga-Psychology.  We hope and trust that all these in-depth researches and studies would soon lead to revolutionary and integrative methods of healing and health of the human psychosomatic system.   

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