Guest Author
By Dr. Ayesha Suneja-Seymour
In an age of increasing mental health challenges, modern therapy practices have proven highly effective in helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional struggles. Therapy teaches individuals coping methods for managing external pressure and allows patients to receive neutral feedback on their daily problems. While Western therapeutic models often focus on cognitive processes and behavioral strategies, many ancient cultures, such as India’s, offer timeless wisdom that deeply resonates with the emotional, spiritual, and holistic dimensions of human experience. By integrating traditional Indian wisdom into modern therapy, we can create a more comprehensive and meaningful healing journey for individuals, fostering balance, mindfulness, and inner awareness.
Through practices like meditation, individuals can learn healthier responses to stress, while seeking therapy to address deeper psychological issues. Combining traditional Indian wisdom and modern therapeutic practices enhances individuals’ overall well-being and cultivates a sense of belonging.
Indian wisdom emphasizes the connection of the mind, body, and spirit, as exemplified in Ayurveda (an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent), yoga, and meditation. The focus on holistic health can significantly improve emotional well-being since these practices encourage greater self-awareness and a better quality of life. Holistic healing can prevent health problems before they occur since individuals are attuned to their body’s health signals and practice a lifestyle that nurtures all aspects of their being.
The body is a vessel for consciousness
Yoga, for example, improves physical flexibility and sharpens the practitioner’s mind since they must remain present in the moment, dwelling in their consciousness while their bodies move in space. Meditation, in contrast, quiets the mind. The person closes eyes, listens to breath, and detaches from the chaos of daily life. Their body is simply a vessel for their consciousness. Therapists who encourage their clients to practice yoga and meditation often observe a transformation in them. The clients take control of their healing journey rather than just waiting to improve. They can better control their emotions with pranayama (breath control) and mindfulness, observing their thoughts without reacting and learning to calm themselves in high-stress situations.
The purpose of therapy is to witness the recovery of individuals, and if meditation and yoga can aid in this mission, it is time for modern therapy to consider them a special brand of medicine.
Taking ownership of their healing journey is crucial for therapy clients, and understanding their identity and potential is equally important. There can be a disconnect between how one perceives themselves and how the world perceives them. Vedantic philosophy, rooted in the Vedas of Hinduism, states that humanity’s ultimate goal is to pursue self-knowledge and understand one’s true nature. Two principles guide this philosophy: The Atman, which refers to the true self, is the essence of a person. The Ahamkara, which refers to the ego, creates a distinction between self and the outside world through identification with thoughts and experiences.
Overattachment to the ego is how individuals stray from finding their true nature, causing them to overindulge in desires or negative self-perceptions. Therapy patients often struggle with their sense of self, allowing their ego to drive feelings of inferiority. The therapist’s job is to decipher whether their patients are following their ego and thereby are disconnected from their true self or accessing their consciousness to cultivate inner peace.
In this philosophy, it is universally understood that every person is capable of reaching their divine nature. Therapy can allow individuals to differentiate between their egoic patterns and true selves, so they are more capable of minimizing their self-deprecating thoughts and emotions before they overtake their minds.
Another avenue for calming the mind is mindfulness and meditation. In recent years, therapists have increasingly embraced the idea of “prescribing” these lifestyle changes to clients for healthier living. According to the National Library of Medicine, individuals who consistently practice mindfulness meditation experience changes in attention, increased awareness, and reduced reactions to emotional stimuli. Instead of feeling anxious and defeated when coming across an everyday stressor, individuals can better regulate their behavioral reactions and acknowledge that their stress is temporary.
Meditation can be especially beneficial for individuals with panic disorders reduce their anxiety. Living with a psychological disorder is already difficult. Therefore, since mindfulness can help individuals deal with their pain, it is in the interest of therapists around the world to utilize this tool for their patients’ benefit. Indian culture already makes great use of meditation. The convergence between ancient wisdom and meditation has the potential to transform mental health systems and should not be underestimated.
One fact remains—individuals need to take control over their lives and spearhead their healing process with the support of their therapist. The idea of karma, where every action has a consequence and will return to them, encourage individuals to reflect on their behaviors and choices. This framework is important for modern therapy practices since clients are motivated to take responsibility for their actions and take charge of their personal growth. They are more intentional with their actions and are the ones who implement positive change in their life. Life is a series of causes and effects, and therapy helps patients make this connection, so they recognize the severity of their actions.
Dharma embodies purposefully living, guiding individuals to align their actions with ethical principles, ultimately serving both themselves and their community. The person lives righteously, always following their values and beliefs. Similarly to the other forms of traditional Indian wisdom, the idea of accountability is fundamental to dharma. Once a person embraces their true calling, they can fulfill their social role, improve mental well-being, and pursue a path of liberation (moksha). When a person becomes aware of their unique purpose, they feel part of a community, which is vital for those feeling disconnected from others due to mental health challenges. In therapeutic settings, individuals can make a verbal commitment to their destiny and experience a surge of motivation.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches the principle of nonattachment, where individuals focus on their actions rather than their outcomes. They can accept defeat and disappointment since they understand they ultimately tried their best. Their motivation comes from acting according to their moral code and values, not the possibility of success. Individuals who use nonattachment move forward after falling short of their goal, and they do not dwell on their failure, but rather use it for motivation.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is where individuals learn to accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that reflect their values. Both approaches emphasize productive engagement with life, building resilience in the face of unexpected outcomes. Learning to release control and accept uncertainty lives. For example, they recognize that their present actions are more significant than their future desires. They are ultimately free from the shackles of their mind that place pressure on them.
Seva, or selfless service, involves helping others without expecting something in return. This generous action could range from being someone’s shoulder to cry on to providing charity to the less fortunate. The person completing the service demonstrates humility; they do not consider themselves superior to everyone else. They help others while simultaneously removing vices like anger and pride from their lives. Most important, they are part of a community, fostering a sense of belonging for the individual. This is the power of compassion and service. Considering many therapy patients feel powerless in their lives and concerned about the state of the world, therapists have begun asking clients to incorporate small acts of kindness into their daily routines. Clients often come back to their therapist and report greater self-esteem and empathy. They may find healing through aiding others.
Modern therapy practice can benefit from incorporating traditional Indian wisdom into the field. Indian wisdom can enhance modern therapy by promoting a holistic approach to healing. Mindfulness and meditation encourage individuals to cultivate a feeling of inner peace. Karma reminds individuals that their actions create ripples that can return to them, encouraging small acts of kindness to cultivate positive energy and outcomes. Clients find purpose in their lives when they complete seva and follow dharma. When therapists integrate ancient Indian practices into therapeutic settings, clients can experience deeper emotional and psychological healing. Holistic healing enriches the therapeutic process and leads to a more fulfilling life among individuals.
Dr. Ayesha Suneja-Seymour is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Personal Growth Coach, an advocate for women’s mental health, blending the wisdom of her Indian heritage with modern psychology. She has provided therapy and psychoeducation in diverse settings, from rehab centers to women’s wellness programs. Contact: [email protected].
