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Yogic insights into human psychology

Modes of nature and the enemies of the soul

Dr. Alok Pandey

Abstract
Yoga psychology recognises at least three different modes of nature in its working. These are
universal modes and can be seen operating from the atoms and starts to the most complex human
beings. It is through one or the other of these modes that human beings ordinarily operate. These
are being discussed here.

The concept of normalcy The tamasic humanity

In psychology one of the greatest grey There is, for example the normalcy of the
areas is the very concept of normalcy. tamasic man, who is comfortable within
Most often, we extend the idea of physical his limits set by nature and prefers his
normalcy onto psychological aspects as mechanical routine, centred around
well. Thus seen, normalcy is normative his physical needs, ratherthan seeking
in nature. In other words, normalcy is and exploring beyond his boundaries.
understood in terms of what most people He dares not the impossible and probes
call the average humanity experiences not the depths of his own nature or of
and behaviours. This standardises human creation. Satisfied with surface facts and
behaviour within a certain range and superficial knowledge, which he calls the
whatever deviates from that is considered mint of wisdom, he seeks no further. He is
abnormal. It puts most of humanity satisfied with everything in his life, from
under a single large rubric of normalcy, the religion he is born in to the information
the only distinction and distinctive types he gathers from the tabloids and the limited
being based on traits and habits. By sources of his learning. His is the spirit
doing so it also prevents the possibilities involved completely in matter and sharing
of further evolution and growth. Yoga its mechanical stability and consistency.
psychology, on the other hand, sees in His is not the higher satisfaction that comes
man the possibility of a constant growth by discovering the stable basis of all that
towards greater and greater levels of moves in nature but the satisfaction that
normalcy. comfort of limits and seemingly safe and

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