Having worked in mainstream developmental and the education arena, have observed gaps in policies & interventions as far as addressing of and from the lens of the subjective human subtleties are concerned. What Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) can offer in context of holistic human development is needed to bridge these gaps. I have, through secondary research and first person inquiry attempted to create an integrated and holistic world view on understanding Behaviour and Consciousness Studies amalgamating IKS and western paradigms. The establishment of the Department of Contemplative and Behavioural Sciences, Sri Sri University offering programs in 'Psychology and Contemplative Studies' was thus conceptualized - to address not only the gaps in mainstream psychological science (which is predominantly objective and behaviour centric) but help promote emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual wellbeing in scholars - eventually enabling their life's journey towards 'Atmavidya' (knowledge of Self). Being aan advanced practitioner and trainer of Yoga Philosophy-Practice over two decades, have been instrumental in transforming and elevating thousands of lives towards holistic wellbeing - transformations either self reported or through a third party.
I wish to codify field learnings, contributing towards an integrated worldview of development. Further, I aspire to help build a new generation of Self reflective practitioners and researchers through scholarship, experiential training and grassroot level work. I would strive to provide a nurturing - learning ecology towards 1. fostering knowledge, competence-research in behaviour and Consciousness studies through creative-experiential methodologies, processes and responsivities 2. promoting personal and social transformation and developing sensitivity and sensibilities to honour the dignity of all life forms 3. addressing global challenges and serving humanity by locating training and practice in socio-cultural contexts. My interest areas also lies in Indian Spirituality with focus on nishkama seva, and Phenomenological (first person) accounts of sadhaks from different sampradaya of sanatana dharma.
- Co-Principal Investigator
Ph. D. Students
Deepak Khurana
Area of Research: yoga
Pritam Chakraborty
Area of Research: yoga
