All World
Gayatri Pariwar

  The onset of twenty-first century has witnessed an unprecedented use of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in the modern healthcare system. Following the comfort driven and artificial lifestyle of the developed western world, people in India too are suffering from a variety of psychological complications and psychosomatic disorders and are running after the Psychiatrists and Counselors.  In spite of a steep rise in the psychotherapy centres and experts of this branch of modern medicine, the state of patients does not quite seem to be improved. Apart from their psycho-problems, they usually risk added sufferings due to negative effects of sedatives, steroids, or stimulating medicines. As others around do not understand their difficulties, their mind gets engulfed in abnormal dullness, despair, suffocation, inferiority complex, and anguish. The sickness of mind affects their behavior and work and hence the circumstances as well. Their mental balance, their interactive behavior, their overall personality, everything in their life begins to crumble and often gets out of control.                 

The negative shadow of one’s psychological disorder adversely affects his familial and social life as well. If one has an ailment of physical body, people notice it and sympathize with the patient; not only relatives and friends, but also acquaintances would visit him, send him ‘get well soon’ cards, bouquet of flowers, or take fruits and gifts for him. But who understands the ‘sickness’ of a psycho-patient? In the elementary stage, no one notices it; in medium stage of the disease/disorders, the patient’s behavior usually appears awkward to the people around and they usually laugh at him, get irritated or treat him scornfully; in the advanced stage of mental disorder, the poor chap is mostly abandoned or left to his fate with nil or insignificant help from caretakers at mental asylums.

Many of us would have experienced it ourselves. Who notices and cares when we are under some tension, stress, distress or despair? Who responds with due sympathy and support if we are emotionally hurt, or are burning internally because of some severe worry, fear, guilt or inferiority complex? People hardly notice such problems; even if they do, they do not consider these as problems like the physical health problems which require adequate care and proper treatment.

The disorders of mind are so complex and deep rooted that even the so-called experts or psychiatrists cannot diagnose and cure them. Major bottleneck is their approach, which largely derives from behavioral psychology. Those who have gone through “The Comprehensive Text Book of Psychiatry” by Drs. Kaplan and Sadock and similar books would agree that, in spite of good coverage of neuro-chemical and behavioral aspects, these most cited and referred books and research texts do not elucidate the deeper layers of human mind.  In the volume “Critical Psychiatry – The Politics of Mental Health” Dr. David Ingleby and others have pointed out these lacunae and the shallow attempts of trying to heal psychiatric problems by modern medicines.

The medicines prescribed to psychiatric patients often cause severe side effects. The negative impact usually aggravates the ailment or causes new disorders coupled with physical problems, so much that the family members of the patient feel it was better if those medicines had not been given.  Anyone who has closely observed such sufferings would agree that some change is certainly required in the present approach. 

The modern approach of psychotherapy or psychological counseling is also incomplete.  Even in this century of high-tech sciences, most psychologists continue to apply the Freudian models. They are not able to see the limitations, narrow and somewhat prejudiced domain of this theory mainly because of superficial conceptualization of mind and consciousness force (chetan³) in terms of commonly experienced sensual instincts and ego-driven behavior. Principal causes of the failure of psychotherapy in healing mental (and emotional) problems are — (i) elementary knowledge of the conscious mind; (ii) trivial modeling and hypotheses on the subconscious and unconscious mind; and, (iii) unscientific consideration or near total negligence of evolved emotions and thoughts and higher dimensions and deeper depths of existence and manifestation of consciousness force. Although psychotherapy today provides temporary or substantial relief in mild problems pertaining to behavioral issues or adjustment in specific circumstances, its potential in tackling complicated cases remains doubtful. Moreover, it does not provide any direction for strengthening and enhancing the powers of a ‘normal’ mind.

In addition to using scientific methodology in empirical studies, using data analytic tools in establishing and testing its models, modern psychology has to evolve beyond its one-sided and partial view of the human consciousness and mind. As it ignores the genesis, original nature and transcendent dimensions of mind, some savants satirically say that “Psychology” has lost its “psyche” (soul). The following lines of an English verse illustrate this with a humorous touch:

Alas, poor Psychology, sad is her fate,


True, driven by the so-called western or physical approach, modern psychology is only a behavioral science. Its origin and development revolve around sensual expressions and hence behavioral activities of the mind.

Saints and seer-sages have a reach in the hidden cores of mind. In particular, the Indian sages of yore – the rishis, as remarked by globally reputed Prof. Henry David Thoreau, were perfect scientists of all dimensions of the human mind and its intimate relationship with nature and omnipresent consciousness force. Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya was a rishi of the present era, who pioneered rediscovery of spirituality in scientific light and initiated a movement for the revival of the divine Rishi Culture (Dev Sanskriti).

Acharya Sharma was an angelic sage and eminent scientist of human consciousness. He stressed that if modern psychology and its allied neurosciences and therapies aim to resolve the psychiatric problems and agonies generated by mental disorders, infirmities and complications, these should also make use of yoga-practices and the science of spirituality. He also asserted that there was dire need of reformation in the present day approach to spirituality, which is largely conceptualized and preached as occult philosophy. He advised and implemented the principles of spirituality in scientific and practicable ways – what people could experiment and test in their day-to-day life. He had thus envisaged a comprehensive science at the interface of psychology, spirituality and dealings of human life at personal and social levels.  The approach to “Evolved Psychology” or “Complete Psychology” showed by him promises the much-awaited remedy to a variety of psychosomatic problems, mental tensions, complexities and emotional disorders faced by the human society today.               

The guidelines and methodology formulated by Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya as part of his noble mission of “thought revolution” for psycho-spiritual evolution of mankind also form part of the curricula designed for training courses of s³dhan³ for personality refinement offered at Shantikunj, Haridwar – the Headquarters the of socio-spiritual organization “Gayatri Pariwar” founded by him. Lakhs of devotees have received light and strength from these training programs. The Clinical Psychology Department of the Dev Sanskriti University, Hardwar has incorporated this approach in its post graduate degree programmes for comprehensive education and training of selected students from all over the world as psycho-spiritual therapists who would reach out to help the psychiatric patients from all over the globe and provide them the benefits of deeper psychology for the mental healing and health.

The syllabi of post graduate degree in clinical psychology and specialized diploma courses here are also unique as they creatively integrate the scientific approach of theory and experiments of modern psychology with yoga-s³dhan³ and the Vedic Health Science of Ayurveda. As part of their course-work and training, the students also get an exposure to multiple dimensions of human consciousness and its deeper aspects. Special courses on meditation and life-management are distinct features of education at this university, which enlighten the students with true knowledge of the nature and grandeur of mind and life. The teaching adopts scientific attitude and methodology. It is interactive and students also get an opportunity of self-learning and experimentation. 

The two-year post graduate degree program, includes sixteen written papers and one- semester project work. They learn the principles and methods of modern psychology along with clinical psychology, yoga, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods of Ayurveda for mental healthcare. Apart from conducting empirical studies and tests as per standard syllabi of psychometry, they also get training in clinical practice in the psychotherapy centre of the university. This centre is equipped with state of art gadgets of biofeedback recording, Electro Encephylography (EEG), etc. Experts and specialists in Psychology, Modern Medicine, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga and Spirituality work as a team in this centre. Several complex cases of hysteria, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, hypochondria, phobia and insomnia have been successfully healed here in a short span of time. 

Apart from counseling, auto-suggestion, psycho-regression etc, suitable modes of naturopathy and yoga (for body cleansing, nerve soothing and mental-uplifting), selected herbal preparations (as prescribed by the doctors), spiritual healing and s³dhan³ practices are applied here as remedial and mental - strengthening measures depending upon the patient’s background, physical health, mental problem, his/her overall psychological makeup and spiritual level.  The spiritually illumined ambience of Shantikunj, Haridwar and fresh herbal preparations prepared in the pharmacy here render significant support in treatment of psychological disorders and mental problems of the patients.

The experts, demonstrators and students of the department, like those of other departments in this university practice yoga-³sanas, meditation, sw³dhy³ya (self-study) and some s³dhan³s to enhance their own willpower and spiritual strength.   Psychotherapy Centre here attempts to follow the guidelines of the Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. At present only out-door patients are allowed. However that is not a limitation for the patients, as, in most cases, indoor stay in a hospital ward is not required.  More importantly, the clinic provides a good opportunity for those who are currently pracitising or are undergoing specialization in Psychiatry. They are invited to share their experiences here and also acquaint themselves with the trendsetting directions laid by the Yugrishi for harmonious blend of psychology and spirituality for the integrated well being (body-mind-soul) of people in today’s stressful and anxiety-ridden life. The students nurtured in this outstanding department are expected to work as psychotherapists ‘with a difference’ and make available the benefits of their training, talents and expertise in different parts of the world. Trainees and visitors from India and abroad have also applauded the holistic healing approach adopted here.

The Spiritual Psychology pioneered by Acharyasri not only offers easy remedies to heal the agonies and adversities of ailing minds but also infuses positive life attitude and rejuvenating strength in the trainees for a purposeful and progressive life.          


References:

[1] “Saras Safal Jivan ka Kendra Utkrishta Chintan”. (Book by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya)
Publ. Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura. (4th print), 2004.
[2]  “Manah Sthiti Badalain To Paristhiti Badale” (Book by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya)
Publ. Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura. (5th print), 2006
[3] “Adhyatmik Drishtikona aur Anant Atmabala” (book by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya). Publ.
Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura. (5th print), 2006.
[4] “What is Spirituality?” (English translation of original Hindi book by Brahmvarchas)
Publ. Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj Haridwar, 2007. ISBN:81-8255-025-4