PSYCHOLOGY : EAST & WEST

[ TO WARDS AN INTEGRATION]

DR. RAVI PISHARADI, CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST,TRIPUNITHURA
 The wise say that the senses are superior (to the body); superior to the senses is the mind; superior to the mind is the intellect; One who is even superior to the intellect is He.. (the atman)-iii/42 - The Bhagavat Gita
 Interest in Eastern thought on general and Indian thought in a particular has been growing steadily in the west in recent years. A major factor is the recognition that modern science has limitations and its logical linear reasoning instead of solving our problems has created them. These problems described as social illnesses or diseases of life-style like cancer, heart disease, divorce, accidents, crimes, mental illness and ecological destruction are on the increase in industrialized and newly industrialized countries.
 A major paradigm shift is occuring in the western mind-set towards the intuitive philosophical systems of India. Yoga and non-dualistic Vedanta in particular. The trend was already evident in the writings of Carl Jung and the discoveries of Quantum physics. An even earlier example is the neo-platonist Plotinus who was influenced by Indian thought.
 In a strict sense Vedanta (Science) and Yoga (technology) cannot be termed philosophy as understood in the west. It is not analytical but experiential. These ideas were heard (sruti) or seen (Darshana) by the upanishadicrsi's (seers) in deep mediation. The Upanishads are poetic utterances of unnamed mystics who have experienced, what is called a unitive state (Unio mystica). In that senses, like science they worked from an empirical base. But the method of data collection was different. Their minds were their laboratory. They did not rely on sense data. Intuition, creativity, imagination and inspiration was given full play. But the system they developed was consistent. The world view that emerges from their writings finds remarkable parallel across various times, and climes. And cultures.
 Yoga is not religion or philosophy. It is a group of methods/ techniques to integrate our Biological - Psychological - Social and Spiritual levels of existence, each more pervasive and deeper than the other . It is a way of life. ,All life is Yoga' as Aurobindo Says.
 Modern western science developed from the speculations of Greek philosophers. Psychology in turn developed from science. In the East there was no sharp differentiation between philosophy, science, psychology and Religion. At least, science as we understand it today, with its obsession with measurement and quantification. Etymologically also psychology means the study of Soul (Psyche in Greek mean Soul), the deepest part of our being. In the west, science, in pursuit of physical objectivity parted ways with all things spiritual, leading to a split in the psyche of man, between his subjective and objective world. The unfinished task of psychology is to bridge this gap and heal this wound. It is here that Eastern Psychological concepts can help us.
 A fundamental difference between Eastern and Western psychology is the primacy granted to matter and / or consciousness. Whereas in the  western systems matter is primary and mind or consciousness is an emergent phenomenon, (through an evolutionary process), in the East, consciousness is considered primary. Your body (and brain) and the gross world you see outside is a projection or evolute of this consciousness. To an Eastern sage the effect is in the cause. Nothing can emerge from a substance unless it is potentially present in it. Only an intelligence is capable of producing intelligence in man.
 To a neuroscientist mind is a function of the Brain. To a Yogi mind functions through the Brain. What yogic discipline (Sadhana) triesto achieve is a union of the limited mind of the individual and the infinite consciousness pervading the Cosmos, which is the source of individual mind and body. It is called      Brahman in Hinduism, Dharmakaya in Buddhism and Tao in Taoism.
 We find a lot of parallels between yoga and psychotherapy and differences too. In psychotherapy the therapist analyses a problem through the medium of words and tries to strengthen the Ego, the aim being autonomy and independence  . In yoga the Guru tries to break the hold of our past conditionings and attachments by making the disciple (shishya) mediate on a word (mantra). The The repetition of the mantra (which is supposed to resonate with the cosmic vibration AUM) induces concentration and later a unitive state of mind. This is said to lead to a Transcendence of one's ego, the aim being Harmony and integration. The problem is not discussed at all ! It is not suppressed either. The energy expended in ruminating over the problem is redirected onto a higher goal. The problem then drops off on its own. In fact it was not a problem at all. It only seemed so. 
  In both psychotherapy and yoga the personality of the therapist is the single most important variable effecting the outcome. You can only lead a person up to the point where you yourself have reached. This implies that the theories we hold and the experiences we undergo will influence the patient. that is why so much stress is laid on the need for a guru on the spiritual path. A guru is one who is established in Bramham. He has realized his true self.
 The aim of both Yoga and Psychotherapy is change and freedom. This change involves an unlearing of past assumptions. It can even lead to a physical change in the Brain (strength of synapses). In the West choice is considered Synonymous with freedom i.e. if you are free to choose between two situations or objects you have freedom. In the East true freedom is freedom from choice it self. You don't have freedom, you are free. You are supposed to reach a state of 'Choiceless awareness' (krishnamurthi) beyond liking or disliking.
 Thus yoga is truly transpersonal while psychology is person-centred. To a yogi reality is transpersonal, trans-ethical even, eventhough you have to adopt ethical living (YAMAS & NIYAMAS) to reach your goal. A person is a spark of the whole, traveling in space -time to its ultimate destiny - union (Yoga means to yoka of join) - The union of Atman (the individual Soul) with  Bramhan (the cosmic soul). In fact there is no deference between the two. Nay, it was never separate in the first place, our ignorance had veiled the truth. Only the super- imposition due to desires and memories is removed you realize / become your true self. Bramha vid Bramaiva Bavathi- The knower of Bramhan becomes Bramhan.
 IS yoga Curative ? Not in a strict sense. It is rather preventive and promotive. Studies have shown its usefulness in Anxiety and depression. Possibly it induces changes in receptor function and levels of neurotransmitters. It is interesting to note that Patanjali mentions Aushadas (medicines) as one of the means to induce samadhi. Hence pharmacotherapy is not contra- indicated, but the goal is to make you free from all external aids. Here yoga means not Hatha yoga alone (Physical asanas) but an integral yoga consisting of Karma (work), jnana (knowledge), Bhalti (devotion to a personal deity) and DHYANA (Raja/Petanjala) yogas depending on one's aptitude. Work, Worship and wisdom kelps to integrate the connective, affective and cognitive aspects of our personality. culminating in medication (dyana). It is more of a life - long education, a process, a work-view and a culture of self- discipline. It is a training in redirecting our desires to achieve integration of all levels of our personality. It may not be required for all patients but only for those who  want to expand their consciousness and experience their potential to the maximum. Till you become  your own true self you will be restless. You will seek, albeit unconsciously, ways and means to alleviate your distress. You may seek an out-let through drugs or destructive relationships. Yoga is a well-trodden path. With true guidance you too can reach the heights which countless mystics, in all cultures have achieved. Ordinary psycho-therapy (and there are over 250 schools of it) can at best help you to adjust to your environment. your environment (read society) may not be sana / normal even and it keeps changing. Relapses are common. IT IS NOT DEEP ENOUGH.
 It may be argued : Is Yoga scientific ? The answer is : Is PT a science ? Has it not become another-ism (scientism)? Agreed it is not objective. It is difficult to measure. You cannot get a paper published on it ! Ultimately you have to undergo the process (Sadhana) yourself, experience the changes and decide for yourself. Probably science itself is long overdue for a radical overhaul.
 A major obstacle to integration of Eastern thought into modern-science is its non-secular character. Science considers itself value free and secular. In fact modern science during most of its brief history has developed in opposition to the Church (Cf. the Galileo episode). Indian philosophy on the other hand does not differentiate between sacred and secular. But with recent developments in modern science the distinction seems to be blurring. We may actually be talking about two levels / dimensions of reality. One material and the other non-material inter-connected by the human mind. One accessible to the senses the other accessible to the mind in deep mediation, a higher- order reality which is the source and goal of our existence. It is our awareness. an objectless awareness, an awareness which transcends the subject-object dichotomy that can reconcile the scientific and the mystical view-points (Darshanas). For that to happen the viel of desire has to drop and then:

WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS DOING THE LOOKING