Hindu Psychology and Its Meaning for the West - Essay Example

First & Hindu Psychology Hindu people have been attracted by the nature of subconscious and superconscious s of human mind since hundreds and even thousands years ago, while Western community got to know about it only at the beginning of the 19th century. On contrary to Western science, which, headed by rationality and logic, mainly dealt with consciousness, Hindu psychology originated from religious traditions and initially was aimed at discovering ways of achieving “the highest religious experience— the superconscious state, or samadhi” (Akhilananda 18). In the context of achieving the superconscious state human mind started to play crucial scientific role. In “modern” Hinduism it is believed that mind is a bearer of all three planes – conscious, subconscious and superconscious. It is also practically proven that understanding of the mind has significant meaning for everyone, who wants to be healthy, successful, beautiful, etc. In general, Hindu psychology suggests the improvement of persons life by strengthening their mind, which is possible through mental growth and emotional harmonization. It also deals with the notion of “karma”, or past incarnations of a person (soul), that invisibly influences current life as well. However, as it is still a science, Hindu psychology also works with the general notions of senses, emotions, knowledge, nerves and others. Thus, this paper aims to analyze the main peculiarities of Hindu psychology as well as briefly describe its impact on the work of such Western psychologist as Carl Gustav Jung, who was among the first to bring Eastern thought into Western science. As it was mentioned above, mind is a central object in the Hindu psychology. It provides connection between conscious and unconscious motives of behavior of the human being. Unlike Western approaches to studying mind, based upon analyzing its different functions separately, Hindu psychology considers it totally as it is impossible to “really know one state of mind properly without the integration of the whole mind” (Akhilananda 17). According to Indian psychologists, “mind contains the conscious thoughts and feelings within the scope of our awareness as well as the subconscious ideas and emotions of which we are oblivious” 56. These states cannot be observed separately, as ones conscious behavior is always a realization of some inner subconscious impulses. There are four states of consciousness distinguished by Hindu psychologists: “in the sleeping, dreaming, awakened states, and the superconscious — susupti, swapna, jagrat, and turiya”. They correspond to Western terms of “subconscious, conscious, and superconscious” states (Akhilananda 12). In Hindus psychology subconscious is determined as a reflection of humans “past impressions”, or samskaras. At the same time subconscious determines conscious states. Thus, according to Hindus, ones concious behavior is a result of his emotions, obtained in the so-called “previous life”. The notion of superconscious is not much acknowledged and, hence, rarely utilized in the Western science, though it is rather important for Hindus. Therefore, for the better understanding of Hindu approach towards mind, it is pertinent to describe it further in brief. Superconscious state opens to a person, when he achieves enlightenment, or illumination. Illuminated person experiences “the greatest expression of mind”, which means that the highest potential of the mind, its hidden abilities and all three states – conscious, subconscious and superconscious – can be understood, felt and used by enlightened person: “he is well established in poise and creates an atmosphere of peace. When anyone enters the presence of such a person, he consciously or unconsciously absorbs the peaceful atmosphere and derives poise... A man with a unified mind emanates wisdom and strength to others” (20). Western psychology acknowledges the existence of people with telepathic and clairvoyant abilities. However, they are not considered as superconscious due to Hindus psychology. The latter assume that superconscious state can be “accessed” by anyone, who strengthened their mind and attained emotional balance majorly through specific means of “concentration, meditation and consequent mental integration” (Akhilananda 11), while “extrasensory powers... are powers in the worldly sense, and the real seeker after truth is warned not to let them draw him from his goal” (Akhilananda 13) The only way towards illumination lies in the increasing of mental power. The ultimate purpose of it is embodied in the idea of complete, integrated and unified mind, which can be trained and developed. In regard to this, Hindu psychology has worked out certain methods to develop the potency of the mind. For example, according to subjective and intuitive method of Hindu psychology the total mind is trained, “including thought, emotion, and will” (Akhilananda 14). Thus, through specific systematic practices, previously latent powers of mind reveal and evolve. As a result, mind becomes strong enough to help “others in integrating their emotions and other mental processes”. (Akhilananda 15) Another method of mental growth relies on the self-control. In the view of Hindu psychology “the real spirit of self-control is based on the changing values of life” (Akhilananda 49). It means that person should strive to and concentrate on higher spiritual values instead of satisfying his lower primitive instincts. Controlled and unified mind can also be formed through concentration and meditation. Hindus advise to learn to concentrate at one thing at a time, which also contributes to the development of mental power. Concentration is of great significance in Hinduism. In case person cannot concentrate at one thing, his attention becomes disseminated and he will not achieve emotional balance. However, when humans mind is not strong enough and lacks integrity, he is not able to completely control his emotions and, therefore, may be easily subjected to functional ailments and mental disturbances if there is a lack of balance: “emotions can create a conflict and produce mental disorders and can have serious effects on our bodies. It has been discovered that the secondary emotions of worry and remorse result in nerve disorders. Headache, heart trouble, and all sorts of pains and aches are also created by emotions; inner emotions can cause physical disturbances”. (Akhilananda 43) On the other hand, not only inability to control ones emotional conditions, but also suppression of them, inevitable leads to mental and physical problems. Hindu psychologists suggests that restricting oneself from expressing emotions always has negative consequences so emotions should be revealed and not preserved. According to Hindus, the best types of therapy for a person are self-suggestion and self-analysis: “Until the innate urge for bliss is fulfilled and understood, there is no satisfaction in life. Frustrations cannot otherwise be successfully eliminated. We do not realize that we possess in the soul a mine of bliss. We go here and there seeking self-expression and self-preservation, while the whole thing is within us”. 53 Unlike Western psychologists, which try to find the initial impulses, or urges of this or that action or disturbance in objective material forms such as sex (Freud) or self-expression (Adler), Hindu psychologists recommend that the only urge that person should cultivate within oneself should be an urge for happiness and universal well-being for all people. Thus, the main aspects of Hindu psychology have been described. Further, attention should also be paid to the work and scientific views of Carl Gustav Jung as an example of early Eastern influence on Western psychological science. At the beginning of 20th century Jung was among the first who got acquainted with Eastern ideas of subconscious and superconscious and openly promoted those ideas. After his journey to India in 1920s, Jung pointed out that psychoanalysis and studying of subconsciousness, which were thought a unique Western “invention”, had been known to Hindus people long time before. Jung is known as an author of the theory of collective unconscious. In search for materials, sources and evidences of the validity of his theory, Jung directed his investigations towards India, where Jung discovered, that ancient Indian views proved his own thoughts. Carl Jung was much influenced with the themes of karma, reincarnation, Atmana-Brahmana, and practical aspects of the philosophy of Yoga. Jung also referred to the conception of “manas” or “mind”, integrating the functions and content of consciousness and, at the same time, the components of “atmana”, or”inner soul”. Hence, the ancient Indian wisdom and philosophical texts should have become the source of archetypical and argumentative material for Carl Jung, who addressed them to support his theory of collective unconscious. Works Cited Akhilananda, Swami. Hindu Psychology: Its Meaning for the West. Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2001. Electronic book. Coward, Harold. Jung and the Eastern Thought. Sri Satguru Publications, 1991. Print. Read More