Abstract
The Bhagavad Gita is based on a discourse between Lord Krishna and Arjuna at the inception of the Kurukshetra war and elucidates many psychotherapeutic principles. In this article, we discuss some of the parallels between the Gita and contemporary psychotherapies. We initially discuss similarities between psychodynamic theories of drives and psychic structures, and the concept of three gunas. Arjuna under duress exhibits elements of distorted thinking. Lord Krishna helps remedy this through a process akin to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We ascertain the analogies between the principles of Gita and CBT, grief emancipation, role transition, self-esteem, and motivation enhancement, as well as interpersonal and supportive psychotherapies. We advocate the pragmatic application of age old wisdom of the Gita to enhance the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for patients from Indian subcontinent and to add value to the art of western psychotherapies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Indian Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue number | SPEC. SUPPL. |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2013 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
The Bhagavad Gita and contemporary psychotherapies. / Bhatia, Subhash; Madabushi, Jayakrishna; Kolli, Venkata; Bhatia, Shashi K.; Madaan, Vishal.
In: Indian Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 55, No. SPEC. SUPPL., 01.2013.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The Bhagavad Gita and contemporary psychotherapies
AU - Bhatia, Subhash
AU - Madabushi, Jayakrishna
AU - Kolli, Venkata
AU - Bhatia, Shashi K.
AU - Madaan, Vishal
PY - 2013/1
Y1 - 2013/1
N2 - The Bhagavad Gita is based on a discourse between Lord Krishna and Arjuna at the inception of the Kurukshetra war and elucidates many psychotherapeutic principles. In this article, we discuss some of the parallels between the Gita and contemporary psychotherapies. We initially discuss similarities between psychodynamic theories of drives and psychic structures, and the concept of three gunas. Arjuna under duress exhibits elements of distorted thinking. Lord Krishna helps remedy this through a process akin to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We ascertain the analogies between the principles of Gita and CBT, grief emancipation, role transition, self-esteem, and motivation enhancement, as well as interpersonal and supportive psychotherapies. We advocate the pragmatic application of age old wisdom of the Gita to enhance the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for patients from Indian subcontinent and to add value to the art of western psychotherapies.
AB - The Bhagavad Gita is based on a discourse between Lord Krishna and Arjuna at the inception of the Kurukshetra war and elucidates many psychotherapeutic principles. In this article, we discuss some of the parallels between the Gita and contemporary psychotherapies. We initially discuss similarities between psychodynamic theories of drives and psychic structures, and the concept of three gunas. Arjuna under duress exhibits elements of distorted thinking. Lord Krishna helps remedy this through a process akin to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We ascertain the analogies between the principles of Gita and CBT, grief emancipation, role transition, self-esteem, and motivation enhancement, as well as interpersonal and supportive psychotherapies. We advocate the pragmatic application of age old wisdom of the Gita to enhance the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for patients from Indian subcontinent and to add value to the art of western psychotherapies.
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U2 - 10.4103/0019-5545.105557
DO - 10.4103/0019-5545.105557
M3 - Review article
VL - 55
JO - Indian Journal of Psychiatry
JF - Indian Journal of Psychiatry
SN - 0019-5545
IS - SPEC. SUPPL.
ER -