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Yogic insights into human psychology

Yoga and psychology

Dr. Alok Pandey

Abstract
The last few decades have seen an increasing interest in yoga not only as a tool for health but also for a deeper
understanding of human nature and its complex psychology. Here, we have a first look at the profound
effect of yoga on our psychology. But first we need to understand ‘yoga’, its evolutionary potential for the
individual and the collective, its scientific nature, above all, its possibility of transforming our human nature.

Introduction healing but in a deeper understanding of our
humanity.
The last half of the previous century has seen
yoga and yogic practices making steady inroads Generally the advocates of yogic insights
into the field of psychology. This entry, one have a tendency to use terms such as Eastern,
must admit, has been so far through the Indian, ancient, etc as opposed to Western,
backdoor, more as a practical tool for helping modern, scientific for the academic course.
someone going through a crisis. These tools This division is artificial since yoga has been
range from meditation and guided imagery known and practiced under one name or
to cognitive realignment and handling another in different pockets of humanity as it
our emotions and impulses through ways evolved out of the animal and began to grow
and means that have been known to yoga conscious of a subjective self and began to ask
practitioners thriygh the ages. While the questions about the meaning of our existence.
hard-core academia are still a bit suspicious This type of humanity is not confined to the
of including yoga and yogic insights into their East or the West nor is it limited to ancient
mainstream body of literature and teaching, times. Every age of mankind has witnessed a
they are finding an increasing acceptance group of human beings who went beyond the
in parallel models and alternate approaches human formula of life and sought to discover
to understanding the human phenomenon. something deeper and higher than the human
The time is fast approaching when this frame. What is however, unique to India
antagonism needs to be healed as it will be and to her credit, is the fact that this eternal
helpful not only in the interest of health and seeking of mankind has been not only well

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