Syllabus

• Unit 1 : The Subject Matter of Psychology
• ● 1. The Subject Matter of Psychology as Practiced Today
  • ● a. The problems addressed by modern psychologists.
  • ● b. Distinctions between psychology and related fields: medical practice, management, public health, and family counseling.
• ● 2. Psychology as a Subject (Observer) Science: Journey from Subjective to Objective
  • ● a. Subjectivity and objectivity in psychology: Where does psychology fall?
  • ● b. The Vedic concepts of Jyataa (knower), Jyeeyam (known), and Jyaanam (knowledge).
• ● 3. The Anubandha-Chatushtaya of Psychology
  • ● a. Adhikari (qualifications of the student) in the study of psychology.
• ● 4. Mind-Body Dichotomy
  • ● a. The Western dilemma between mind and body.
• ● 5. Psychology as the Science of Human Experience
  • ● a. Justification for psychology as the science of human experience.
  • ● b. Examples demonstrating the centrality of experience in psychology (e.g., how a person feels, the importance of experience over circumstances).
• ● 6. The Three Aspects: Affect, Behavior, and Cognition (ABC Model)
  • ● a. Explanation of the ABC model (Affect, Behavior, and Cognition).
• ● 7. Defining Psychology as a Scientific Model
  • ● a. Explanation of psychology’s role as a scientific discipline: Explanation, Classification, Prediction, and Control.

• Unit II: Paradigms of Western Psychology
• ● 1. Psychoanalytic Paradigm
  • ● a. Introduction to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, exploring the unconscious mind, defense mechanisms, and early childhood influences.
  • ● b. Later developments such as Jungian and object relations theories.
• ● 2. Cognitive and Behaviorism Paradigms
  • ● a. Cognitive Psychology: Focus on mental processes like perception, memory, and decision-making.
• ● 3. Behaviorism: Study of observable behavior through conditioning (classical and operant), emphasizing environmental influence on actions.
• ● 4. Humanistic and Existential Paradigms
  • ● a. Humanistic Psychology: Emphasis on personal growth, self-actualization, and human potential (Rogers, Maslow).
• ● 5. Existential Psychology: Exploration of free will, meaning, and existential anxiety (Frankl, May).
• ● 6. Socio-Cultural and Positive Psychology Paradigms
  • ● a. Socio-Cultural Psychology: Influence of social and cultural contexts on behavior and identity.
• ● 7. Positive Psychology: Focus on human strengths, well-being, and happiness (Seligman).
• ● 8. Neuroscience Paradigm
  • ● a. Study of the brain's role in behavior and mental processes, including neuroplasticity and the biological basis of mental disorders.
• ● 9. Expressing Western Theories as Models
  • ● a. Explanation of how psychological theories are structured into scientific models, including examples like the cognitive-behavioral and biopsychosocial models.

• Unit III: Fundamental tenets of Vedic Psychology
• ● 1. Concept of Mind and Consciousness
  • ● a. Differences between Western and Vedic views of psychology, with a focus on the mind and consciousness.
  • ● b. Clarification of what Vedic psychology is not in contrast to Western psychology.
  • ● c. The mind as a limited aspect of Vedic psychology, which emphasizes consciousness as the central element.
  • ● d. Consciousness as the foundation of human experience in Vedic psychology, transcending the mind and driving all cognitive and emotional processes.
• ● 2. Delight as the Motive of All Human Endeavor
  • ● a. Exploration of Sukha (pleasure) and Duhkha (suffering) as human experiences, leading to the ultimate goal of Aananda (delight or bliss).
  • ● b. Understanding the journey from Sukha/Duhkha to Aananda through practical examples and a known perspective.
  • ● c. Discussion of how delight (Aananda) serves as the motivating factor behind all human actions, desires, and aspirations.
• ● 3. Pancha Koshas: Integral Human Anatomy
  • ● a. The concept of Pancha Koshas (five sheaths) as layers of the human being:
    • ● Physical (Annamaya),
    • ● Energetic (Pranamaya),
    • ● Mental (Manomaya),
    • ● Wisdom (Vijnanamaya),
    • ● Bliss (Anandamaya).
  • ● b. What am I? – Understanding identity through the lens of the Koshas.
  • ● c. What do I do? – Understanding actions as expressions of Prakriti (nature).
  • ● d. Why do I do? – The role of Prerana (motivation) in human behavior.
  • ● e. What makes me effective? – Shakti (power/energy) as the force behind action and transformation.
  • ● f. The triple functions of consciousness:
    • ● Ichcha (will),
    • ● Jnaana (knowledge),
    • ● Kriya (action).
• ● 4. Grades of Delight
  • ● a. Exploration of the spectrum of delight, from suicidal despair to ecstatic joy.
  • ● b. Anubhooti (experience) as the manifestation of delight in human consciousness.
  • ● c. The universe as a manifestation of consciousness and the experience of delight through life and creation.

• Unit IV: Vedic Human Personality
• ● 1. Overview of Western Theories of Personality: Trait Model
  • ● a. Introduction to the Trait model of personality, which identifies stable characteristics or traits that influence individual behavior across different situations.
  • ● b. Examination of key theories, such as the Big Five personality traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism), and their applications in understanding human behavior and motivation.
• ● 2. Chatur-varna: The Four Propensities for Action
  • ● a. Exploration of the Chatur-varna system, which categorizes individuals into four primary propensities for action based on their natural inclinations:
    • ● Brahmana (intellectual/knowledge-oriented),
    • ● Kshatriya (leadership/warrior-driven),
    • ● Vaishya (commerce/wealth-creating),
    • ● Shudra (service-oriented).
  • ● b. Discussion on how these propensities relate to an individual’s personality, career choices, and motivational drivers.
• ● 3. Trigunas: The Three Motives of Action
  • ● a. Introduction to the concept of the Trigunas (three qualities or motives of action):
    • ● Sattva (purity, harmony),
    • ● Rajas (activity, passion),
    • ● Tamas (inertia, ignorance).
  • ● b. Analysis of how these Gunas influence personality, decision-making, and behavior, and their role in psychological profiling.
• ● 4. Vedic Psychological Profile
  • ● a. Construction of a Vedic psychological profile by integrating concepts of Chatur-varna and Trigunas to provide a holistic understanding of personality.
  • ● b. Examination of the interplay between an individual’s ego (Ahamkara), intellect (Buddhi), and memory (Chitta) in shaping their actions and motivations.
• ● 5. Case Study: How to Motivate Based on Personality (Saama, Daana, Bheda & Danda)
  • ● a. Application of motivational strategies from ancient Vedic principles:
    • ● Saama (persuasion),
    • ● Daana (incentives),
    • ● Bheda (differentiation),
    • ● Danda (punishment).
  • ● b. Case study analysis demonstrating how different personality types respond to these motivational strategies, with practical examples from modern scenarios like workplace management, education, and leadership.
• ● 6. Human as an ABC (Affect, Behavior, Cognition) State Machine
  • ● a. Introduction to the ABC (Affect, Behavior, Cognition) model, presenting humans as state machines whose emotional (Affect), behavioral (Behavior), and cognitive (Cognition) states are interconnected.
  • ● b. Examination of how personality traits and motivational factors influence these states, and how this model can be used to predict and manage human behavior in various contexts.

• Unit V: Psychological Basis of Vedic Culture and Ethics
• ● 1. Understanding Vedic Cultural Terminology
  • ● a. Exploration of fundamental Vedic terms and their meanings, including:
    • ● Karma (action and its consequences),
    • ● Dharma (righteous duty),
    • ● Purushaarthas (four aims of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha),
    • ● Punarjanma (reincarnation),
    • ● Punya (merit),
    • ● Paapa (sin),
    • ● Svabhaava (individual nature),
    • ● Svadharma (personal duty).
  • ● b. Discussion on how these concepts provide a framework for ethical decision-making, personal development, and the pursuit of a balanced life.
• ● 2. Samskruti, Sampradaaya, and Aahcaara: Diverse Expressions of Culture
  • ● a. Samskruti (culture), Sampradaaya (tradition), and Aahcaara (customary practice) as diverse expressions of Vedic thought.
  • ● b. Examination of how these cultural constructs influence individual behavior, social norms, and the transmission of knowledge across generations.
  • ● c. Understanding the role of tradition and custom in shaping ethical and spiritual practices within Vedic society.
• ● 3. Vedic View of Evolution
  • ● a. Introduction to the Vedic view of evolution, emphasizing the gradual development of consciousness rather than purely biological evolution.
  • ● b. Discussion of how human life is seen as a journey towards higher consciousness, progressing through successive lifetimes (reincarnation) and guided by the principle of Karma.
• ● 4. Vedic Ethics and Morality: Purpose and Principles
  • ● a. Exploration of Vedic ethics and morality, focusing on the purpose of these principles in fostering personal and societal harmony.
  • ● b. Discussion on the role of Dharma in guiding ethical behavior, and how Vedic morality is rooted in the balance between individual duty and the welfare of the collective.
• ● 5. Karma as a Source of Psychological Problems and Praayashcitta as a Remedy
  • ● a. Understanding how Karma (past actions and their consequences) can manifest as psychological issues, such as guilt, anxiety, or unresolved emotional conflicts.
  • ● b. Praayashcitta (atonement or corrective action) as a remedy for psychological imbalances caused by negative karma, and the rationale behind its application in Vedic tradition.
  • ● c. Examples of how atonement practices are designed to purify the mind and restore emotional and spiritual balance.
• ● 6. Jyotisha as a Model of Karma
  • ● a. Introduction to Jyotisha (Vedic astrology) as a tool for understanding Karma and its influence on an individual’s life.
  • ● b. Examination of how astrological charts are used to predict life events, identify karmic patterns, and guide decision-making based on the principles of Karma and Dharma.
• ● 7. Understanding the Vedic Perspective of Marriage
  • ● a. Marriage in Vedic culture as a sacred union, grounded in Dharma and considered essential for fulfilling one’s Purushaarthas (aims of life).
  • ● b. Discussion of marriage as both a spiritual partnership and a social contract, designed to ensure mutual growth, support, and the continuation of family and cultural values.
  • ● c. Exploration of rituals and responsibilities associated with marriage in Vedic tradition, emphasizing the roles of husband and wife in maintaining harmony within the family and society.

• Unit VI: Vedic Method of Diagnosis
• ● 1. Fundamentals of Psychological Testing and Diagnosis
  • ● a. Introduction to psychological testing methods, tools, and their application in both Western and Vedic psychological contexts.
• ● 2. Assessing the Varna (Propensity for Action)
  • ● a. Techniques for assessing an individual’s Varna (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) to determine their natural propensities and inclinations.
• ● 3. Assessing the Guna (Motive for Action)
  • ● a. Methods for evaluating the dominant Guna (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) influencing an individual’s behavior, motivation, and decision-making.
• ● 4. Assessing the Psychological State
  • ● a. Identification of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral states through a combination of Western and Vedic diagnostic approaches.
• ● 5. Identifying the Kosha (Layers of Consciousness)
  • ● a. Techniques to assess the Pancha Koshas (five sheaths of the human being) for a holistic understanding of an individual's physical, mental, and spiritual health.
• ● 6. Case Studies: Integrating Diagnostic Tools
  • ● a. Practical case studies that apply varna, guna, psychological state, and kosha assessments in real-life contexts such as relationships and career guidance.
• ● 7. Vedic Psycho-pathology: Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders
  • ● Exploration of Vedic methods for diagnosing psychological disorders, focusing on imbalances in Karma, Gunas, and Koshas as root causes of mental distress.

• Unit VII: Vedic Psychological Interventions
• ● Western schools of psychotherapy - Fundamentals
• ● Yoga
• ● Praanic healing
• ● Ayurveda
• ● Yajna
• ● Counselling
• ● Aesthetics - Dr Sagar
• ● How do they work? If they don’t, why not?

• Unit VIII: Integrating Modern and Vedic Methods
• ● Vedic analysis of western methods: Critique
• ● Expressing western theories using Vedic taxonomy
• ● Case studies