NATIONAL SEMINAR ON

                                                 PROMOTING POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY                                                                                                  MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING 

                                 ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY;                                                                                         KAKATIYA UNIVERSITY   WARANGAL; TS  

                                     TOPIC:      YOGA, MEDITATION AND SPIRITUALITY

                                                                                 2019           

                                                                                                                                           Dr.N.Jyothirmayi    

Assistant Professor; M.Ed Faculty; 2018-2019

College of Teacher Education (CTE)

AMS (Andhra Mahila Sabha)/ DDMS

Hyderabad: 

E-mail: s.madhuha@gmail.com

                                                                                                                  

If you are really looking for truth don’t assume anything – just seek      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        BY JAGGI VASUDEV “Sadguru “ISHA 

                                                                     ABSTRACT 

According to the aim of this scientific event which is to discuss case studies, theoretical and critical approaches to positive psychology in the context of mental health and well being, the present article reveals the study on a focussed small group of 20 members practising Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality through direct participant observation and discussion where the investigator looks in-depth into the effect of yoga meditation and spirituality on the positive psychology. The participating individuals’ observation showed that there is significant positive relation between yoga, meditation and spirituality with over all well being of the individuals in the group.   

KEY WORDS:  Positive Psychology, Mental Health, Well Being, Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality

                                                                     INTRODUCTION 

  In the present societal context where Commercialisation, Industrialisation, Globalisation have immense toll on individual health, positive psychology aims at overall well being of the individual especially in emotional social physical and mental areas.

Ill health is the loss of balance in the perspective of positive psychology. There are many techniques striving to bring in healthy balance into every individuals life. Among such traditional techniques revival and upsurge of techniques like Reiki, Yoga,  Meditation,  Spirituality and Rituals is taking place in order to deal with the present scenario of the society to transform  it into healthy and a befitting society. 

Yoga meditation spirituality are all experiential sciences more practised and experienced, all three being subjective , needs committed work in order to gain its full benefits through a guru or spiritual guide.

Scientific research has shown that the very fundamentals of the brains activity, inner chemistry and genetic predispositions can be changed by practicing certain systems of yoga and meditation. Yoga meditation and spirituality are essentially different dimensional technologies to change the shape or nature of who we are. 

Taking charge of our health moving from gross to subtle and moving to a state of higher level of consciousness through meditation and yoga is spirituality. This being the case, branch of positive psychology will be utmost beneficial to the mankind if it uses the techniques that take the help of meditation, spirituality and yogic sciences 

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: 

1. To find the relative effect of yoga meditation and spirituality on physical, mental health and overall well being.

2. To know the extent to which such Indian ancient cultural practices will be beneficial for the recently developed positive psychology.

3. To know how the age old problems even though were less in measure and depths compared to present times are alienated with such ancient traditional techniques.

HYPOTHESES

1. There exists an effect of Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality on the physical health, mental health and overall wellbeing of the individuals. 

2. There exists usefulness of Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality in solving varied physical, social & psychological problems which range from simple to complicated versions. 

3. There exist techniques in Yoga, meditation & Spirituality capable of tackling both the age old and modern problems with same effect along with the treatment of the chronic ailments. 

DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF THE OPERATIONAL TERMS USED: 

YOGA: Yoga is the union with the entire existence or cosmos. It is the alignment of body, mind, breath and energies for opening the gates of higher dimensions leading to self–transcendence. Hence yoga is the ultimate goal in abstract sense to be achieved by the seeker or sadhak for connecting with higher consciousness and attaining self-realization. 

More than a set of physical postures yoga is a science not only to determine the nature of who we are And what we want to be but also for changing the very fundamentals of our existence.

MEDITATION: According to Kamalesh.D.Patel ‘Daaji’ of Sahaj Marg - “Meditation is just silencing the mind without any thought. Meditation is a process in which we shift from thinking to feeling. It is a journey from the complexity of mind to the simplicity of heart.” 

SPIRITUALITY: Many think spirituality is opposite of materialism and a different style of living or different way of life but spirituality is a part and parcel of life we cannot separate it from life like emotional , physical , intellectual or social dimensions of any individual.  

Hence Spirituality is not just a concept to talk about it’s a part of life to be accepted and being who you are. According to Sadguru JV “If we cultivate our body mind emotions and energies to a certain level of maturity something else blossoms in us - that is what is spirituality “

METHODOLOGY 

Direct and Participant observation method is used with participant observation of a 20 member focussed group. 

ABOUT THE GROUP OPTED FOR THE PRESENT STUDY 

The focussed group of 20 participants in the Isha Foundation run seven day program of Inner Engineering revealed the changes occurred in their behaviour patterns health issues thought patterns etc after 40 day Mandala program and two Satsang sessions. The seven day program mainly involved yoga asanas, meditation techniques and spiritual discourses.  

PARTICIPANTS: 

Participants with chronic diseases, other ailments both physical and psychological were present in the program. Participants above 12 yrs were of varied age groups and from different fields.  Mainly students, software professionals, teaching community persons, health professionals, businessmen, entrepreneurs, retired employees and others participated in the program. Participants were from the gender, both men and women. Women who were working, married, unmarried, housewives, pregnant & mothers of different age groups participated in the group program. 

INSTRUMENT 

  At the end of each session participants were called on to note down and reveal their , observed changes in their health , behaviour etc. 

ANALYSIS OF THE OBSERVATIONS: 

 The observations were segregated, based on the ailments they were facing before the program and their experiences regarding different dimensions of consciousness. 

OBSERVATIONS:  

The systematically planned program went on successfully. The observations included the following: 

1. Change in Behaviour 

2. Better sleep 

3. Change in Eating habits 

4. Timely Waking up 

5. Enhancement of Study skills 

6. Better Concentration 

7. Memory improvement 

8. Undergone Higher levels of experience 

9. Experienced Happiness / State of blissfulness 

10. Experienced Contentment / Feelings of joy 

11. Better social and emotional adjustment at home and work place 

12. Changing to the best dietary habits 

13. Concentrating on meaningfulness. 

14. Experienced Aesthetic momentary glimpses.

15. Concentrating more on present rather than on past or future etc

FINDINGS

There was drastic improvement and slow development in the different areas of physical, social, emotional, psychological wellbeing of the individuals after the participants in the group have undergone the program moving towards positive over all wellbeing of the individual. 

OPINIONS: 

An opinion from a participant after the program in his own words, initially it was like uff, I have to do all these practices but as days passed practice became easy. Body is supporting very well and daily I will be eager to do yoga practice. It’s synching into my life smoothly. The benefits I observed for me are:

1. Sound sleep

2. Food control ( proud to say that craving for food is gone totally)

3. I observe change in my perception of looking at things everything, is like never before. 

4. My breathing pattern has changed- it’s like settled and smooth 

There may be other things which I couldn’t notice but I’m sure something is happening within me. On this note I would like to thank Sadguru for giving IE to the world and wish all others to take IE. I also thank Program Teachers, Volunteers and my IE group members for being there and helping each other. I continue doing Yoga practice two times a day even after Mandala may be my body scolds me if I do not. Thank you one and all. Pranam. 

EXTRAODINARY EXPERIENCES IN SPIRITUALITY 

During spiritual journey many undergo different subjective experiences as mentioned by group participants especially exuberance, visions etc. An analytical note on the subjective experiences is mentioned below as a precautionary measure so that getting carried away by such experiences to extremity is not at all recommended by any techniques of spirituality.  

As has been pointed out by Swami Saradananda in “Ramakrishna- The great master” - That which does not lead to steadfastness and strength of character, that which does not enable the man to take a stand on the rock of purity for the sake of truth in defiance of the whole world, or that which entangles him more and more in various kinds of desires instead setting him free from them, is outside the realm of spirituality.

If extraordinary visions etc have not produced such results in sadhak (one who practices ascetic life) life and nevertheless they are having those visions, know that sadhak is still outside the realm of spirituality and that they are due to a diseased brain and so are of no value, if on the other hand instead of having wonderful visions and experiences, sadhak finds himself acquiring strength, know for certain that sadhak is on the right path and that sadhak will also have these visions and experiences at a proper time. 

Sri Ramakrishna consoled a disciple who could not experience Bhavasamadhi “Know that for certain that true faith and renunciation are far greater. Swami Vivekananda generally did not have such experiences but his renunciation, faith, vigour and steadfastness are far greater.  

Swami Vivekananda also laid more stress on character than subjective experiences like visions etc. The purpose of all spiritual disciplines - knowledge, devotion, concentration or work -has been pointed out by Sri Sankara, the great harmonizer, as chittasuddhi, purification of the mind. In the purified mind knowledge or devotion or whatever you may call it, dawns and liberation is achieved which is the ultimate goal of all spiritual disciplines.

CONCLUSION: 

Positive Psychology indeed needs such ancient Indian techniques to enhance over all well being of the individual. But this article envisions, states and concludes that for the person who aims at the ultimate goal of spiritual disciplines through yoga and meditation , the Physical, mental health and overall well being of individual advocated by the positive psychology becomes their natural acquisition as huge magnet attracts the iron pieces. 

REFERENCES:

           Service and Spirituality; Swami Swahananda Published by Ramakrishna Math 1986

           Isha Newsletters; Isha Forest Flower magazines 

          Sahaj Marg online Daily quotes 

                                                                                                                 THANK YOU  

THE QUOTE:

NO MAN WHO WORSHIPS EDUCATION HAS GOT THE BEST OUT OF EDUCATION. 

WITHOUT A GENTLE CONTEMPT FOR EDUCATION NO MAN'S EDUCATION IS 

COMPLETE.

Stories of Endurance

                                           


                                                           Rohit 

Amidst wails and yellings, a distinct voice cried out "Rohit" . A boy of 13 yrs old lean with large eyes and sharp looks reciprocated " it's me ". A nurse looked at him and came to him after noting down the details she shuffled away.

 With weakening and painful vomitings never giving him a gap to think anything else, Rohit clasped his hands around his knees that were kicking into his stomach to console him out of his pain. Without whimpering, he held all the pain between his teeth.

Rohit was pulled into this world, when he was born, with forceps as his head wasn't small enough to slide down easily through the passage. Maybe that was the reason why his head had a little bit different shape. 

Rohit always stood 1st in class. He is an intelligent warm-hearted affectionate well-matured guy. Everybody will accept and like him because he accepts and likes everyone.

In his cranium, his life hid like  the life concealed in a parrot. Doctors operated his head and bound it with wires to give it a proper shape. And while operating they detected almighty's biological fault in his cranium. The cranial fluid is not being drained into the body system. Doctors after ten long years, when he was mature enough, corrected the creator's fault. A shaft was placed through his head into the digestive system through which the cranial fluid started draining out.He was alright for two years but now the problem started reappearing and it relapsed in the form of infection engulfing the shaft.For this reason, he had been admitted again to the hospital.

Doctor's cut and stitched his cleanly shaved head the tonsure,thrice for the reasons best known to them.But the fortitude with which Rohit encountered these surgeries was astonishing. Medical staff pierced his whole body with needles at last glucose was let into his body through the blood vessel on his neck He said, "Nurse don't inject when I am asleep please wake me up so that I can face it."I think that would be a better one."

Watching his pitiful condition everyone's eyes were filled with tears. But the enduring element in his mind was unbelievable. He said,"Will you leave at least little blood in me you are pulling out so much and so many times . Why don't you take it all at one time only, for all the tests nurse."

He struggled victoriously throughout those surgeries and post-surgery periods .He curbed all his negative feelings and did not let self-pity crumple his mental strength. He said to his uncle it's nice that aunt hasn't come if not it would have been very hard for the aunt to climb all these steps." When his mother seeing his fate was crying, he was embarrassed and he said, "Now please stop crying I know I will be alright and we'll go back soon so don't cause inconvenience to others." 

Right at that time, world especially India was going through world cup fever.  Rohit loves cricket and he is one of the voracious viewers of the television matches.  He spoke to everyone as if he got accustomed to the hospital. "It seems this hospital has become my home. I come here so many times and I stay here so much time." He never hesitated to ask doctors to relieve him immediately in order to watch the cricket match on TV. He kept on annoying doctors asking about cricket score. His doctor inevitably had to find out the score to inform Rohit.The doctor wondered what a curious thing to say.Yet Rohit continued to think and talk about cricket . Everyone felt comfortable with him. He never cried nor allowed anyone to cry . He was at the crux of the problem yet he was not drowned by the emotional dumpings. Along with him, everyone knew that a narrow line separated him from death. We who always struggle with ourselves in emotional turbulence should know that no struggle is greater than fight with the death and fight to the death. Bravery is not only the virtue of military men , it is also the virtue of patients like our Rohit.

Everyone was impressed  with his courage. At last, he could watch the world cup finals at his home but that year India lost the match yet their game spirit was applauded by everyone.Maybe that was the day when Rohit really felt sad even though he won his life from death. He was a winner. Yes, he is our Handsome Hero. And equally our Role Model. 

                                             WE ALL LOVE YOU ROHIT. 




   

INSPIRATION FOR DEPRESSED SPIRITS


‎www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw‎ ‎

NORMAL AND ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

     
                                                       Now a days it has become common to use words like depression, obsession, addiction and fear psychosis etc. but each has their own existence with vast area and require in depth study. For example psychosis is a very heavy and bigger term to depict extreme fear. Hallucinations and delusions lacking reality are the main symptoms of  psychosis. Psychosis is similar to fever where the reason cannot be easily identified.

                                                      There is always a stigma existing with 'abnormal' word as caste ism brings stigma.  Hence anyone who uses the words related to abnormality should use them with care and caution.Any abnormal behavior can be identified through proper channel of Inventories, Questionnaires, Interviews and continuous observation.

                                                     Day by day abnormality is slowly becoming part and parcel of daily life. Each one of us know the reasons. commercialization, technology losing one's culture, traditions, joint family system and values etc may be the external reasons but lack of meaning in life and existence of a vacuum in one self is the main internal reason.

                                                    Suddenly a Teacher is fired out of job in a institution and other teachers doesn't even know why then they face anxiety. As teaching community especially in private sector is amids't  insecurity , anxiety and various pressures with masked and cover up behaviors  its obvious that students cannot be expected much.

                                                   As per the students behavior mostly it is group behavior. Few number of students leads to  more efficient behavior. Students in adolescent age have adolescent behavioral patterns which are very much normal and subside gradually and students enter the mainstream.Its time consuming process but nature takes care of it.

                                                    In order to mold anyone understanding, sympathy , recognition, care, concern, time and patience are utmost required. Of course effect of media, movies, peer culture cannot be changed but the effect of them can only be directed and channelized to certain extent in the right way.

                                                   But practicality always has a major role to play . Education has entered a commercial arena and everything in it is defined by its terms and conditions. This is the reality which every one has to accept.
                                                  Learning disability students are being identified through out the educational ladder but is it practical to place the problem before students, teachers, parents and provide them necessary training by the professionals ?

                                                  If a student commits suicide as being declared it is easily ascribed to either love failure, domestic problems and depression. But there may be unseen , not cared for reasons behind, where society may have instigated to take such sudden decision quick  action or may be people around them brought them  that fate. Then in that case a question arises who is abnormal ? and who has to be treated ?

                                                  Examination anxiety is common. Deep breathing , meditation , realizing that fear as normal and common thing in every one reduces anxiety . Being in the fear arousing situations i.e writing exams mock exams or real exams itself reduces irrational fear towards exams.

                                                  A counselor is needed for every educational institution whose help, suggestions are to be valued and are to be applied. Again many practical issues hinder the process.

                                                  Owing to the good intentions each and everyone has to analyze their own behavior how much of it is normal and human {caring, compassion, sharing  devoid of over  self centered thinking}

                                                Above all we are human and sometimes it is completely alright to be little bit abnormal  and  laughing heartily afterwards thinking  about it and relaxing happily. Because many of the attitudes, beliefs , situations and unconscious experiences, BEHAVIOR cannot be controlled and changed that easily.

                                                 Astropsychology has also entered the field of psychology . Experiments in telepathy, hypnosis are being conducted in Parapsychology which might reveal new ways, channelize and improve connections between teacher and students as in Indian Traditional Guru Sishya Parampara.

                                                                                              written by 
                                                                                         Dr. N. Jyothirmayi
   

EXISTENTIAL VACUUM

                                                               

                    Existential vacuum is the concept framed by Viktor Frankl survivor of the concentration camp of Nazi holocaust. Being a psychiatrist he founded Logotherapy which eventually became a part of existential analysis.

                   In eighteenth century human existence gained prominence so the human subjective elements like responsibility, freedom, will, feelings, meaning in life were centralized. Man according to existentialism searches for meaning in life or existence.

                   According to Viktor Frankl when there is no meaning in life, i.e. purpose or goal to achieve something, a vacuum of meaninglessness sets in. Man in order to fill in this gap searches for a meaning in life. When the right meaning is not found he becomes desperate he tries to ascribe some kind of meaning to moment or situation. Yet he may not find satisfaction in such temporary make beliefs he continues his search exasperated and devoid of hope in finding a meaning or search for meaning. Then a phase of meaninglessness (life without meaning) occurs in his life. 

                    Much of the times people may not recognize that a meaning exists at all in life. When different situations of life demand     meaning from man his responsibility is up surged to find meaning ( his will to search for meaning  is up surged) which is called as will to meaning by Viktor Frankl. Man in his pursuit for meaning in life may embrace conformism (man wishes to do what other people do) or totalitarianism (man does what other people wish him to do). While lost in finding meaning in conformism and totalitarianism man may not identify his unique meaning.

               According to Viktor Frankl meaning is unique for each and every individual. Each and every individual has the freedom to choose his own unique meaning in life.  
 

                When Man doesn’t find meaning that suits his vacuum he grapples and tries to fill in that vacuum with elements like busyness, power, earning money, overindulgence in sex, passive entertainment etc. such a fill up in existential vacuum leads to a feeling of futility, boredom, apathy, hedonism, too much self-reflection, Mass Neurotic Triad- Depression, Aggression, Addiction and Neurotic vicious cycles like Obsession, Compulsion, Phobia.  

                 Happiness, power, successful life, feeling of well being does not confirm meaningful life. Many people with all the above assets may contain existential vacuum. They may be self contained with conformism and totalitarianism. Feeling of transitoriness of the above assets is the criteria for meaninglessness. People with all the above assets look back at their past and check their assets as possessions and try to cover up their existential vacuum with a false façade of satisfaction and happiness. But beneath the surface of the façade existential vacuum acts as the engulfing amoeba which sucks in and vanishes the genuine contentment.           

                         

 Meaning in life can be obtained

                  i) Way of suffering and enduring with dignity.

                   ii) Doing creative deeds

                  iii) Experiencing something and someone we value like aesthetic experiences and love

                  iv) Acquiring and using virtues like compassion, humor, bravery etc.

                  v) Serving others 

                  vi) Self transcendence

                Meaning has many dimensions, to acknowledge a few mentioned by Viktor Frankl in his studies, we may refer to them as different types of meanings dealt by Frankl himself. 

Meaning in life – meaning in life denotes the purpose in life i.e. the goals to achieve.

Meaning of moment – meaning of moment is the transitory situational meaning which arises from moment to moment. It is purpose oriented.

Ultimate meaning - ultimate meaning is the meaning which dawns upon man after which man transcends into higher realms like spiritual realm. This meaning is generally obtained in latter part of man’s life. It may or may not be obtained by man.

Meaning of life – meaning of life is more philosophical than purposeful. It is not materialistic in the sense that it consists of entire essence of life, questioning the purpose of existence of man. 
   

                                 In the history and today many dignitaries who hold high positions are eschewed by corruption, adultery, scams, crime etc. are suffering  from existential vacuum for treating which they need responsible meaning  through Logotherapy . 

                                Viktor Frankl’s   Logotherapy is considered as a form of existential psychotherapy. Logo means “meaning”. Logo therapeutic techniques are used to tackle the effects of existential vacuum (like hedonism, boredom, over indulgence in sex, apathy, feeling of futility, excessive self reflection, Sunday neurosis, passive entertainment Neurotic triad- depression, addiction, aggression and Neurotic vicious cycles – obsession, compulsion, and phobias), to deal with the frustration in search for meaning called “Noogenic Neurosis” and helps man in his search to obtain his unique meaning. Logotherapy does not cater meanings to people but makes man feel responsible for finding his own unique meaning by respecting his freedom of choice.  

                     

                      According to Viktor Frankl the existential vacuum is a wide spread phenomenon of this century because man lacks animal instincts and the crumbled traditions are inadequate to reveal the purpose in life. Existential vacuum manifests itself mainly in the state of boredom which is more rampant than despair is due to automation and more leisure hours, Sunday neurosis is a kind of depression which afflicts people who become aware of the lack of content in their lives when the rush of the busy week is over and the void within themselves becomes manifest. Many Suicide cases can be traced back to existential vacuum. Widespread phenomena such as depression, aggression and addiction are understandable by recognizing existential vacuum underlying them. The crisis of pensioners and aging people is due to the meaninglessness in their lives.

             Existential vacuum takes various guises like will to money, will to pleasure etc. instead of will to meaning.  Neurotic triad i.e. depression, aggression, addiction and neurotic vicious cycles like obsession, compulsion and phobia have relapses even though they are treated due to underlying existential vacuum. Hence Logotherapy is recommended to treat not only Noogenic neurosis but also Psychogenic and Somatogenic neuroses. 


                           

                              In this era of existentialism and humanism man needs the help of Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy more than Freud’s Psychoanalysis. As Logotherapy gained prominence probably man crossed the limits of unconscious and entered the parameters of meaning.

                               In today’s affluent modern world of technology and automation man immersed in materialistic possessions and artificial luxurious life has to introspect into his life whether he is moving on with a responsible meaning or has a meaningless void of existential vacuum filled with sucked in scrap of futile life.

          

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

 Viktor Frankl: 
       Man’s search for meaning (1959) published by Washington Square Press.

       The will to meaning (1969) published by Meridian, Penguin Group, New York, USA.

       Man’s search for Ultimate Meaning (2000) published by Basic Books, New York, USA.         

             

                                                                                                            

    Written by 
                                                                                                             Dr. N.  Jyothirmayi 

psychologists are like that
  
               if you say Iam not important they say you have inferiority complex 
             
                          if u say Iam  important  they say u have superiority complex 


                             when u feel low they say u are depressed 

                              when u feel high they say u have mood disorder


                      if you don't go near them they say u have phobia

                        if you go near them they say u are affected by transference

                      
                    if you say u are in love they say u are obsessed 
               
                   if you say you pray everyday they say u are compulsive 


                                   if you work too  hard they say u are work alcoholic

                                  if you relax too well they say u are leading futile life 


                                       So Be aware  of  so called  psychologists