Psychology in the Indian Tradition

“Rao and Paranjpe are masters in illuminating the rich, complex, and sophisticated tradition of Indian psychology. In the present work, they do so in a way that enables us who live outside this culture not only to appreciate its history, its practices, and its significance in today’s world, but as well to absorb its potentials. This is not only a careful and systematic synopsis of a complex array of concepts, values and practices; it is also a compelling invitation to “try it on” – both conceptually and in our daily lives. The need for such understanding and appreciation of who we are as human beings has never been greater.” (Kenneth J. Gergen, Professor of Psychology, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, USA)

“This book offers a way out of the morass in which psychology in India, cut off from its native habitus, finds itself today. In mining the rich vein of psychological insight in the Indian tradition, especially Yoga and Advaita, it outlines a new paradigm for the discipline which is Indian in essence and universal in its reach and application. [It is] a major work that is certain to provoke much discussion among students of psychology, philosophy and the social sciences.” (Sudhir Kakar, psychoanalyst, writer, and Honorary Professor of Psychology, GITAM University, India)

“Are mind, body and consciousness irreducible? Does mind have the potential to survive after death? In the western world these are preoccupations of philosophy and religion. Indian psychology does not make such distinctions. Professors Rao and Paranjpe take up the challenge of providing answers for these and other equally intriguing and challenging questions on the nature of mind, exploring the new frontiers of Indian psychology. It is indeed a remarkably laudable effort.” (Malavika Kapur, Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore)

“[This book] is far more than an indigenous South Asian psychology. It is a systematic and comprehensive explication of an ancient yet contemporary classical Indian theory of the implications of the very existence of consciousness and the close connection between mental states and the spiritual nature of human beings.” (Richard Shweder, Harold Higgins Swift Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Comparative Human Development, University of Chicago, USA)

“This book … is an outstanding contribution to psychology and human sciences in more ways than one. … The work deserves the serious attention of all those who believe that humans are, and desire to be, more than their bodily selves.” (Rama Charan Tripathi, Former Director, G.B. Pant Social Science Institute, Allahabad, and former Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, Allahabad University, India)

“This book is a serious advancement of basic ideas in new science of psychology that transcends the limited perspectives of Euro-American assumptions of the deep bases of the human psyche.” (Jaan Valsiner, Niels Bohr Professor of Cultural Psychology, Aalborg Universitet, Denmark)