Inauguration:
The School of Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Heritage (PPSH), Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, in association with the Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) is organising the first international conference on ‘Indian Psychology and Mental Health’ from 1st to 3rd December 2023 at the Warriam Road Facility.
The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Ajay Kapoor (Vice Chancellor), Dr. Sunita Grandhee (Dean of Lifelong Learning and Wellness), Dr. K. Girish Kumar (Dean of Research), Dr. Satheesh Varma (Head, School of PPSH). The keynote address was given by Prof. Craig Hassed (Director of Education at the Monash Centre of Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Monash University, Australia).
The inauguration ceremony commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and was followed by a Pushpanjali performance by CVV students, signifying an auspicious start to the conference.
Day 1: Technical Sessions/Keynote Addresses
The conference was set in motion by Dr. Satheesh Varma who delivered a compelling introductory speech that delved into the fundamental differences between Eastern and Western paradigms in philosophy and psychology.
The second session was by Prof. Craig Hassed, who spoke on ‘Insights from Vedanta: An Antidote for Modern Times’, illustrating the link between mind and body and the role of Indian Psychological interventions like meditation in tackling physical and mental illness.
The third session was by Prof. William Van Gordon, an Associate Professor of Contemplative Psychology at the University of Derby, who spoke on ‘Ancient Meditative Approaches for Undermining the Ego: Current Directions in Psychology Research and Practice’. He elaborated on the five stages of ego awareness and also shared insights into his research methodologies, nuanced perspectives on emptiness, and strategies for introducing ancient ideas in contemporary contexts.
The final keynote address for the day was by Prof. Meetu Khosla, Department of Psychology at Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, on ‘Global Impact of Indian Healing Systems’, wherein she delved into the profound realms of Ayurveda and Yoga.
Day 1: Paper Presentations
The paper presentations showcased a myriad of research papers that explored the theme of ‘Indian Psychology and Mental Health’, both online and offline. Enthusiastic presenters, representing various institutions, shared their findings on diverse topics, starting from theoretical explorations to proposals for interventions based on Indian Art Forms, Yoga and Meditation.