Science of Consciousness Psychotherapy and Yoga Praxis

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Science of Consciousness, Psychotherapy and Yoga Praxis comprises thirty scholarly papers and one slide presentation discussing important issues in the area of science of consciousness, psychotherapy and yoga. The analysis of scientific validity of yogic experience and vedantic realization is the attraction of this book and the question regarding the quantification and measurement (unit) of consciousness stimulates scientists for further enquiry and experiment.

Dr. Ram Nath Jha was born at Sakhwar, Manigacchi, Darbhanga, Bihar, India. He received his early education up to B.A. (Two Years) at his native place Sarisab-Pahi and subsequent i.e. B.A. Third Year (Bridge Course) and M.A. in Sanskrit from Hansraj College, University of Delhi. After getting selected for JRF and SRF by the UGC he completed his M. Phil. and Ph. D. on Sankara's Epistemology under the supervision of Prof. Baldev Raj Sharma from Sanskrit Department, University of Delhi. Currently he is teaching at Special Centre for Sanskrit Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His teaching and research areas include Veda, Indian culture, Hinduism, Comparative philosophy, Vedanta (Upanisad), Samkhya-Yoga, Navya-nyaya and Philosophy of Sciences. He has participated in more than 85 Seminars/Conferences/ Workshops at National and International level. He has many books and research papers to his credit published by national and international publishers. He visited USA, UK, West Indies, Indonesia, South Korea, New Zealand and other countries to participate in conferences and also for other research purposes. He delivered more than 47 special lectures in reputed institutes within and outside Delhi including sixteen special lectures for Indian Foreign Service (IFS) probationary officers. Thirty researchers have already completed their Ph.D. and M. Phil. under his supervision on different aspects of Indian knowledge systems including Indian philosophy and philosophy of sciences. He has worked on three National and International Projects on following themes: (1) UGC Sponsored Major Research Project titled To Prepare a Reader in Indian Philosophy as Principal Investigator (2) UPOE Project of JNU titled Multilingual, Multimedia Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Intellectual Terms of Indian Philosophy as Co investigator and (3) International Project titled Towards an Asian/Continental Poetics: A Study in Inter-Cultural Space with Special Reference to the Works of Han Yong-un & Rabindranath Tagore as Co-investigator funded by Academy of Korean Studies, South Korea. Currently he is working as a Principal Investigator on a Project titled Models of Consciousness in Indian Philosophy and Science funded by JNU under UPE-II Scheme. He is one of the editors of an International Journal Vedic Venues (Annual). He is member of different committees in reputed institutes and has long association with NCERT.

It is most likely that some people may question 'Consciousness' is designated as one of the independent discipline of modern science. In this connection it should be noted that from Indian perspective 'Consciousness' has always being considered as an established science since time immemorial. The Sanskrit words like Jnana, Cit, Santvid, Vijnana, Prajnana and others have been frequently used in Sanskrit literature for the 'One Supreme Consciousness the ultimate reality. It has its own technology and fulfills all the conditions not only for the discipline of science but also that of the 'Art' as well and such concepts have been improved upon from time to time along with the experiential depth whenever deemed necessary.
The second sub-head, 'Psychotherapy' should not be considered again as a misnomer to represent only for the 'Curative' aspect of treatment of mental ailments only as it also cares for the restoration of the previous status of health of the individual and much more than that for adopting additional measures for further protection, preservation and promotion of health as an upward ascent through temporal to transcendental one i.e. the optimum fullness of the health continuum as envisaged by ancient Indian seers and sages. This forms part of creative psychotherapy.
Next, the term 'Yoga Praxis' is not only inclusive of the yogic techniques, procedures and other relevant phenomena but along with that the word praxis sums up the entire realm of yogic practice adopted by the practitioners. It is more comprehensive than the simple term 'Practice' as the former refers also to the principles that inform various practices. Praxis is closer to principles than to simple term 'Practice'. It is the applied principles as distinct and differentiated from static theories. It is here that the paper writers have given more emphasis to reveal the principles involved along with practices these are applied to. Therefore the Sanskrit word Sadhana is an appropriate equivalent to praxis.
Both East and West have their own vision of historical heritage. Indian vision of science of consciousness is anadi (no one knows the beginning point of this tradition) runs from pre- Vedic era through Upanisadic, epic etc. and gets maturity by the time it reaches its apex during Brahmasutra of Badarayana, Srimadbhagavadgita, Yogasutra of Patanjali, Advaitavada of Acarya Sankara (8th - 9th century), Saivagama period of Kashmir (Between 8th & 13th century AD.) and so on. Their relevance in present times and conditions need to be gauged and validated by scientific experiment. Moderni period belongs to the latest development in science and technology more particularly discoveries made regarding the absolute nature/truth of reality (Atomic, Sub-atomic particles, Quantum Research etc. all inclusive).
Present book titled 'Science of Consciousness, Psycho therapy and Yoga Praxis' comprises thirty scholarly papers and one slide presentation discussing important issues in the area of science of consciousness, psychotherapy and yoga praxis. This is the result of a sincere effort that will certainly appeal to the mind of those researchers working in the above mentioned area of research.