[All_jlab_accounts] JLab Lunchtime Seminar on Monday, May 19

[Kandice Carter]

Lunchtime Seminar 
Search beyond quantum physics - the basis for an integrated approach of yoga therapy 
Dr. H.R. Nagendra 
Chancellor, S-VYASA University, Bangalore, India 

ABSTRACT 
Four centuries of science have unraveled the secrets of this physical universe. The world is made of energy (E=MC2), the laws of Newton (classical mechanics) describing the motion of objects and the quantum mechanics presenting the behavior of fundamental particles at velocities nearing that of light. This knowledge-base coupled with break-throughs in technology has created a world of unseen comforts and affluence in the developed countries. The hi-tech era with Information technology has created a global village. 

As we entered the new millennium, the challenges of stress and its hazards, health and education will open up new dimensions of our knowledge-base. A paradigm shift from matter-based to consciousness-based ontology is bound to get strengthened. The limited understanding of science that matter (atoms, molecules or energy) is at the base of even 'life', mind, emotions, and consciousness will change to an opposite perspective that consciousness is primary and intellect, emotions, mind, Prána and matter are its offshoots. India for millennia held this perspective and had unraveled the secrets of the various layers of consciousness. Consciousness is the intelligence principle featuring all biological and human systems and yoga is a conscious process to accelerate human growth from grosser to subtler layers of mind. The goal of yoga is to manifest divinity of consciousness and to unfold the total personality in all of us. 

Amidst infinite layers of consciousness, five main layers (Panca Kosas) have been distinctly presented in Taittirèya Upanisad. Pure consciousness is beyond the Panca Kosas and no words can qualify that ultimate reality. This consciousness-based ontology, the essence of the Vedas and Upanishads, presents the laws of creation-sustenance-destruction triplet with quantitative time dimensions. Among infinite techniques of yoga, four main streams - Jnána, Rája, Bhakti and Karma yoga provide the multi-dimensional approach. 

The root cause of all the modern challenges of stress, modern NCDs, social problems, deterioration of values, etc develops in Manomaya Kosha when we do actions against what is right due to the powerful emotions as anger, greed, jealousy, arrogance, miserliness, infatuation, etc directing our actions. The imbalances created at this mind level featured by uncontrolled speed of mind is termed as Adhi in Yoga. This percolated down the Pranamaya Kosha to the physical body manifesting as modern NCDs (Vyadhi). 

Contained in this etiological pathogenesis of modern NCDs and stress-related challenges is the basis for Integrated approach of Yoga Therapy (IAYT). Judicial applications of the four streams of Yoga to form IAYT bring immense benefits to deal with these NCDs and the challenges of the new era. The wisdom of the consciousness-based ontology describing the structure and laws of Panca Koshas form the knowledge base for these applications of yoga to solve the problems of the modem society. A brief summary of the research done over 35 years at VYASA will be presented. 

This lunchtime seminar is sponsored by the JLab Activities Group. 

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