Course

Unit 1

Introduction

Introduction to Modern Psychology

A short history of Modern Psychology – Major Schools of Modern Psychology – The three major forces in Western Psychology – Freudian Psychoanalysis; Behaviourism; Humanistic Psychology.

Introduction to Indian Psychology

What is Yoga? – Rise of Yoga Psychology tradition – Various schools of Yoga Psychology – Universal Goal of all Yoga-schools.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 1

Introduction to Rishi Patanjali – Bird view of Yoga-Sutra – Definition of Yoga – Vrittis.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 2

Five Kinds of Vrittis – Pramanam – sources of right knowledge – Viparyayah – unfolded belief – Vikalpah – Unfolded belief – Smriti – Memory.

Unit 2

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 3

Two formulae – Necessity of Abhyasah and Vairagyah – Foundation of Abhyasah – Foundation of Vairagyah.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 4

Introduction to Samadhi – Samprajnata-Samadhi – Reasoning in Samprajnata-Samadhi – Reflection in Samprajnata- Samadhi – Bliss in Samprajnata-Samadhi – Sense of Individuality in Samprajnata-Samadhi.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 5

Main obstacles in the path of Yoga – other obstructions – removal of obstacles by one – pointedness; by controlling Prana – by observing sense experience – by inner illumination – by detachment from matter – by knowledge of dream and sleep – by meditation as desired.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 6

How to make mind peaceful? – Cultivating opposite virtues: happiness – friendliness – misery – compassion – virtue

– gladness – vice – indifference.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 7

Five causes of Pain – avidya – ignorance (Root Cause) – asmita – ‘I-Feeling’ – raga – attraction – dwesha – repulsion

– abhinivesha – clinging to life.

Unit 3

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 8

Necessity of Yoga practice – eight parts of Yoga practice – five Yamas: ahimsa – satya – asteya – brahmacharyam

– aparigraha.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 9

Five Niyamas: Soucha – Santhosha – Tapas – Swadyah – Ishwara – Pranidhanam.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra – 10

Asanam – Pranayamah – various kinds of Pranayamah – Pratyaharah – Mastery over the senses. Report review Conclusion

This course offers the foundation necessary to understand Eastern approaches to psychology and spirituality. The course includes experiential components centering on meditation and spiritual practice.

Evaluation Pattern

*CA – Can be Quizzes, Assignment, Projects, and Reports.

REFERENCES:

1. The course book will be “The four chapters of Freedom” written by Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Bihar School of Yoga, Munger,
2. “The message of Upanishads” written by Swami Published by Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan.
3. Eight Upanishads with the commentary of Sankaracharya, Translated by Swami Gambhirananda, Published by Advaita Ashram,
4. ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’ Swami Muktibodhananda, Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India