A STUDY OF SELF –PERCEPTION IN RELATION TO WELL-BEING IN BUDDHISM

Rajni Bala

Research Scholar, Department of Psychology,

Panjab University, Chandigarh.

&

Dr. Desh Raj Sirswal

Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy,

Post Graduate Govt. College for Girls, 

Sector-11, Chandigarh

Abstract

Indian philosophy is a term that refers to schools of philosophical thought that originated in the Indian continent. Buddhism is one of the important school of Indian philosophical thought. The objective of this paper is to the study the idea of self –perception in relation to well-being in Buddhism. Well-being or happiness is much pursued by individuals and society in all cultures. Eastern and western cultures have understood well-being and evolved ways and means to promote well-being over the years. Buddhism pursues happiness by using knowledge and practice to achieve mental equanimity. In Buddhism, equanimity, or peace of mind, is achieved by detaching oneself from the cycle of craving that produces dukkha. So by achieving a mental state where you can detach from all the passions, needs and wants of life, you free yourself and achieve a state of transcendent bliss and well-being. The journey to attain a deeper form of happiness requires an unflinching look into the face of a reality where all life is seen as dukkha  or mental dysfunction. Buddhism is a philosophy and practice that is extremely concerned with the mind and its various delusions, misunderstandings and cravings but, happily for us, sees a way out through higher consciousness and mindful practice. Perhaps it is because of this seemingly dim view of reality that happiness in Buddhism is so tremendously full; the ideas contained in Buddha's teachings point to a thorough engagement with lived reality. Ironically, it is through such an engagement with one's self, the world and reality that one is able to achieve a transcendent happiness. Equanimity, a deep sense of wellbeing and happiness, is attainable through proper knowledge and practice in everyday life. (The Pursuit of happiness).

Key-Words: Buddhism, Well-Being, Happiness, Self-Perception, Indian Philosophy.

Four-day Workshop Integral Indian Psychology

Four-day Workshop Integral Indian Psychology
At Puducherry
14-17 December 2017

Introduction

The Indian Psychology Institute aims to contribute to the development of new approaches to psychology based on Indian philosophy, yoga and a life-affirming spirituality. The method we follow is largely, but not exclusively, based on Sri Aurobindo’s vision of an ongoing evolution of consciousness and the integral synthesis he made of the psychological essence of the various systems of yoga found in the Indian tradition. IPI workshops offer an introduction into various concepts and techniques of Integral Indian Psychology with a focus on conscious self-development.

Course content and description

The central focus of this workshop is on increasing one’s self-knowledge, and on developing consciousness-based psychological attitudes and skills that enable an individual to live a fulfilled life. It covers topics like consciousness as the foundation of reality, self and personality, individual change and development, yoga-based research methodologies, etc.

The basic concepts and processes that are part of Indian Psychology are explained in lectures and discussion groups based on an intense, direct interaction between the facilitators and the participants. An attempt is made to help the participants experience the core concepts and processes that come up in the lectures, and to explore, both collectively and ¬individually, how they can be used for one’s personal growth as well as in one’s professional work.

Eligibility

This workshop is open to anyone who seriously wants to get an experience-based understanding of Indian approaches to psychology. However, preference will be given to students, research scholars, teachers in academic institutions and professionals in psychology related areas who intend to apply it in their work.

Important information

• Dates: 14th to 17th December 2017
• Venue: Park Guest House, Puducherry
• Registration fees: Rs. 2000
• Last date for registration: 1st November, 2017

Please note that the registration fee does not include boarding and lodging. We will, however assist participants with arranging their stay at the venue where the cost of accommodation ranges from Rs. 125/- to Rs. 1000/- per person, per night.

Registration Form

Please email the following information as early as possible, but not later than November 1st, 2017 to: admissions@ipi.org.in

1. A “motivation note” of maximum 300 words
   Please focus on why you are interested in this workshop, what you expect from it, and how you plan to use what you have learned.
2. Factual information
   • Name:
   • Gender:
   • Year of birth:
   • Educational qualifications:
   • Present position & place of work:
   • Preferred Postal Address:
   • Email address(es):
   • Have you attended any previous IPI-workshop? …
     If yes, when? …
   • How did you hear about this workshop?

There are only limited seats, so if you are interested, please register at the earliest but not later than 1 November, 2017

Please don’t send the fee before you have received our acceptance email.

If you need any further information, please write to mail@ipi.org.in

Seven Day ICPR Workshop on Studies in Consciousness in the Light of Sri Aurobindo’s Philosophy (With special Emphasis on the Upanishads)

Seven Day ICPR Workshop on

Studies in Consciousness in the Light of
Sri Aurobindo’s Philosophy

(With special Emphasis on the Upanishads)

19th – 25th July 2017

Sponsored By

Indian Council for Philosophical Research, New Delhi

Organised by

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research, Puducherry

Theme Note

“Consciousness” is one of the most interesting terms ever discussed in the field of philosophy and psychology. As it is interesting so is it equally evasive. Centuries of studies in this direction still does not seem to give any definition to consciousness. In common parlance, consciousness is understood as being conscious or being aware of one’s surroundings or what is within oneself. From its Latin origin the term conscious means “to know”. There are a few pertinent questions that may be asked with regard to the study of consciousness both in philosophical and psychological studies. “To know” what? Who is the knower? Who or what is known? What is the process of knowing? These questions are relevant for they have been bothering humanity since time immemorial. The quest for knowing the reasons of one’s birth and the process of creation have occupied the minds of the greatest of our rishis since ages. These quests and the process of finding answers to them have taken the form of the Vedas, the Upanishads, shad-darshana, Bhagavad Gita and in contemporary times The Life Divine and other recent noteworthy studies in different fields of science and arts.

The ancient wisdom concludes that consciousness is not only awareness of the mind. It exists in all things animate and inanimate for it is the cause of all. The modern definitions of consciousness are slowly heading towards discovering the inherent nature of consciousness by defining this power as energy or vibration. Whether natural or human sciences all are compelled, as if, to conclude that consciousness exists in everything and is present everywhere. Therefore, studies in consciousness have been extended to medicine, education, management, sociology, anthropology and other disciplines. Consciousness has come out of the restriction of philosophy and

psychology and made its place in various fields of knowledge.

It is to view this need of the growing study of consciousness that this seven-day workshop is being organized. It will bring in the perspectives of consciousness from the disciplines of Philosophy, Psychology, Literature etc. Its aim is to bring clarity about the Vedantic concept of consciousness and its applicability to the world today as given to us in The Life Divine by Sri Aurobindo.

Note for participants:

1. No remuneration would be given to the participants.
2. All travel bills to be submitted to SACAR Coordinator for reimbursement which will be given on the last day of the workshop.
3. Participants are expected to reach the Venue by 18th July 2017, evening. Workshop commences 19th July, 10 am sharp. Finishes on 25th July 5.30 pm Participants may have breakfast and leave on 26th morning.
4. It is mandatory for all the participants to attend the entire workshop for all the seven days to claim any reimbursement or the Certificate of Participation.
5. Participants will be chosen on ‘First come First served’ basis. And the selected participants would be confirmed by our office and only then should the participants book his/her travel tickets.
6. Eligibility: Research Scholars, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, Professors and Academicians.
7. TA for participants to be given for the AC III for the shortest train route.
8. Lodging and Boarding facilities for the participants would be made at SACAR campus.

Proposed Sub-Themes:

 The Problem of Consciousness
 Consciousness and the Inconscient
 Consciousness Studies in Literature
 Dimensions of Consciousness in Advaita

Vedanta
 Levels of Consciousness in the Integral

Philosophy
 Phenomenology: The Indian Perspective
 Consciousness and Immortality – the focus of

the Upanishads
 Vedantic Psychology in Kena Upanishad
 A Conscious Transformation of Nature:
 Consciousness: the Materialist’s Perspective
 The Ascending scale of Consciousness: A

Vision of The Life Divine
 Management by Consciousness

Speakers:

 Prof. Sreekala Nair ( Member ICPR, Dean, faculty of Social sciences & Head, Dept. of Philosophy, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala)

 Prof. Sangeetha Menon (Professor & Head, Consciousness Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore)

 Prof. S. Murali (Retd. Prof. Department of English, Pondicherry Unviersity)

 Prof. Narendra Joshi (Principal, Agnel Technical College, Bandra(W), Mumbai)

 Dr. Ananda Reddy, (Director, SACAR, Puducherry)

About SACAR:

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research (SACAR) started in Pondicherry in 1998, is a non- governmental, educational research Institute. It has for its objective an in-depth study of and research into the thought and vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and relate it to the present and the future of India in particular and the world in general. The guiding principle of all our activities is the synthesizing movement to unite in a practical and progressive way the highest spiritual realisations with the development and perfection of the outer life — two fields that have been historically the special domain of Eastern and Western nations, respectively.

Activities at SACAR:

•   Online courses on Sri Aurobindo’s major works
•   “Living Within” Study camps
•   Intensive and Extensive Research for one/three
  months in
  Sri Aurobindo’s major works
•   M.A, PhD. Courses in Collaboration with Hindu
  University of America, Florida.
•   Workshops and Seminars in Integral
  Management
•   Publications: Books and Journal
•   Research in Management Studies
•   Teacher Training Programme
•   Research Project: Mankind on the March

Convenor:

Dr. Ananda Reddy: 9443019172

Coordinator:

Dr. Shruti Bidwaikar: 9994190403

Organizing Committee:

Dr. Sampananda Misra Prof. Kisholoy Gupta Mrs. Deepshikha Reddy Dr. Falguni Jani Ms. Oeendrila Guha

Venue:

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research, (SACAR)
39, Vanniar Street, Vaithikuppam Puducherry, 605012 www.sacar.in

Email: sacaricpr@gmail.com

Two Workshop at IPI

Dear All,

SAFIC has announced two workshops in June.

The first one is from 14-17 June on the root-sounds of Sanskrit
and the second one is from 23-25 June on conscious Maternity and parenting.

Please visit the following links for details.
You may forward it to others who you feel will be interested in participating in the workshops.

Link for the workshop on Root-sounds in Sanskrit:
http://aurosociety.bmeurl.co/6E9E93C

Link for the workshop on conscious Maternity and Parenting:
http://aurosociety.bmeurl.co/6EDBEC7

Regards

      Sampadananda Mishra
      M :91-9952888350
      Website : http://aurosociety.org

International Seminar on Bhagavad-Gita: Holistic Life Management and World Harmony Tourism Motivation

International Seminar on

Bhagavad-Gita: Holistic Life Management and World Harmony Tourism Motivation

6th - 9th December 2016

Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (Haryana), India

http://gitaseminarkurukshetra.com/

2nd International & 4th Indian Psychological Science Congress

2nd International & 4th Indian Psychological Science Congress

8th to 9th October 2015
CHANDIGARH, India

Website: http://www.napsindia.org
Contact person: Dr. RosHan Lal Dahiya Dr. Rajesh Kumar

National Association of psychological Science and Dept. of psychology, P.G. Govt. College, Sector-46, Chandigarh with International partner- WWA is gong to organize the event. The theme is PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING; THE CONCERNS AND DEVELPOMENT

Organized by: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE-INDIA & DEPT. OF PSYCHOLOGY, P.G. GOVT. COLLEGE, SECTOR-46, CHANDIGARH
Deadline for abstracts/proposals: 31st August 2015

Two-semester Course on Indian Psychology

 

Indian Psychology is an approach to psychology based on the consciousness-centred understanding of reality that originated in the Indian civilization. Its psychological insights, practical know-how and life-affirming spirituality can make valuable contributions to almost every aspect of modern psychology.
The Indian tradition is extremely complex, and different interpretations are possible. The present course is largely, but not exclusively, based on the work of Sri Aurobindo, who made an exceptionally comprehensive and integral synthesis of its psychological essence. His vision of an ongoing evolution of consciousness offers, moreover, an inspiring perspective for our individual and collective future.

Course objectives

The primary objective of this course is to provide the participants with a sufficient foundation to

• help others with their learning of Indian Psychology.
Additionally, it should help participants to:
• apply the basic principles of Indian Psychology for self-development;
• apply the basic principles of Indian Psychology in psychology-related professional work;
• develop further knowledge, experience and know-how in the field of Indian Psychology;
• conduct research in Indian Psychology (together with other prerequisists for doing research).

Course content

The course consists of:

1. A core curriculum consisting of
• theory and practice of Integral Indian Psychology,
• utilization of Indian Psychology in various fields of applied psychology,
• research methods suitable for Indian Psychology,
• a short historical overview of the various schools of Indian philosophy and yoga;
2. Text-based courses covering texts like
• the Rig Veda,
• the major Upanishads,
• the Bhagavad Gita,
• Patanjali's Yogasutras,
• selected other texts in Sanskrit and Pali (e.g. from Kashmiri Shaivism, Shankara and early Buddhism),
• selected texts from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother;
     NB. For the Sanskrit texts, a working knowledge of Sanskrit is helpful but not essential.
3. Short, intensive workshops on special areas like Ayurveda, Vipassana, and Qualitative Research;
4. An individual project involving both theoretical study and inner work;
5. Optional subjects like Hathayoga, classical and spoken Sanskrit.

Course structure and method of teaching/learning

The basic concepts and processes that are part of Indian Psychology are taken up in lectures and discussion groups that allow an intense, direct interaction between the facilitators and the participants. Information transfer is, however, only one aspect of the course. In Indian Psychology one has to begin with understanding one’s own self. For teaching Indian Psychology successfully one should have, moreover, at least some experiential knowledge of the concepts. Accordingly, self-work and maintaining a specially structured diary are important elements of the course. Participants are encouraged to explore, both collectively and individually, how the core concepts and processes that come up in the lectures can be taught and utilized for one’s personal growth and professional work.
During the course the participants are required to take up a research project in any area of Indian Psychology of their choice. These largely self-directed projects must involve besides literature study, detached self-observation and other yoga-based research methodologies. There will be opportunity to discuss and present the projects at several points during the course. At the end of the course, a project-report needs to be submitted. Conducting sample classes based on one's project or on any other subject of one's choice is also part of the programme. The best projects and model-classes will be published on the IPI website, and we will assist in getting the best of the best published as journal-article or book-chapter.

Dates, duration, and daily routine

The course is a full-time course, held in Puducherry.
It will be conducted over 2 x 16 = 32 weeks:

• First semester: September 1 to December 18, 2015
• Second semester: January 11 to April 30, 2016

A normal working day has two 75-minute sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon. Early morning and late afternoon are kept for optional classes and self-study. This routine will on occasion be interrupted for intensive workshops on specialised areas of study like Ayurveda, Vipassana, etc.

Lodging

For lodging, there are basically two options:

• Ashram related guesthouses. Ideal for short stays, perhaps less so for longer durations.
  Room-rents vary from Rs.150 to Rs.1000 per person per day.
• Sharing an apartment with one or more other participants.
  It is relatively easy to rent an apartment in the vicinity of the venue, and for an 8-month stay this may well be the best solution. The rent for a two bedroom flat that could be used by 2-5 students should be somewhere between Rs.7000/- to Rs.15,000/- a month, depending on size, presence of furniture, location, etc. The cost per person will then depend on the level of comfort and privacy one looks for.

Though we will not be able to pay for your stay, we will help arranging it, and we're quite confident everybody will find a good place.

Fees

There is no tuition fee, but participants will have to take care of their own board and lodging during the course.
There is a nominal registration fee of Rs. 3001 (only for those who have been accepted).

Eligibility

This course is open to anyone who seriously wants to get an experience-based understanding of Indian approaches to psychology. However, preference will be given to academics and research scholars who intend to take up teaching or research in the field of Indian Psychology.

Registration

For the second round of admissions, please email the following information as early as possible, but not later than May 31, 2015 to: mail@ipi.org.in
 

1. Factual information
• Name:
• Gender:
• Birthdate:
• Educational qualifications:
• Present position & place of work:
• Preferred Postal Address:
• Email address(es):
• Telephone / Mobile:
• Passport size photograph
2. A 300-word “biographical note”
• Focus here on the work you have already done in the fields of psychology, Indian philosophy and yoga.
3. A 300-word “motivation note”
• Focus here on
  • why you are interested in this course
  • what you expect from it, and
  • how you plan to use what you will learn after completing this course.
4. Recommendations
• Please give one or two recommendation letters, mentioning the name, position, contact details (phone/email) and relation to you of the person who is giving the recommendation.
• We understand that obtaining a recommendation may take time, so you can send the rest of the application now, and add the recommendation-letter later.

There are only limited seats, so if you are interested, please register at the earliest and for this second round of admissions not later than May 31, 2015.
Disclaimer and further information
Please note that the above information is indicative only and open to change.
For any further enquiry, please feel free to contact us at: mail@ipi.org.in