I. Subject: Manas Shastra This unit is essential for understanding the underpinnings of the mind s influence on the body s wellness and imbalances that are created. Ayurveda emphasizes thought and emotion as a strong basis for what we create in our physical, mental, psychic, and social beings. Constructs of thought and models for understanding how our mind works will be discussed. II. Skills and competence from this unit Students completing this module will be able to - 1. Integrate eastern and western concepts of mind 2. Understand the basis of imbalance through Ayurveda principles and concepts of mind 3. Integrate foundational yoga concepts into clinical Ayurveda 4. Competently assess the mental prakrti for a patient/client 5. Experience concepts of yoga and mental prakrti awareness in the practitioner s being III. Time This module will require approximately 45 hours of study 15 hours of classroom time 5 hours of online video, reference reading and/or exploration 15 hours of homework 5 hours of practical interviews on mental prakrti evaluation 5 hours of practice in self-care IV. Subject and Topics to be Covered A. Manas - The Mind 1. Terminology Overview will include basic terminology of mind and its synonyms - manas, chitta, buddhi, ahamkar, atma Mention different constructs of mind used in yoga vs. Ayurveda vs. other Sanskrit texts atma, buddhi, ahankara, paraatma, jivatma, manas prakriti, manas vikriti, mention all new Sanskrit terms in a glossary at the end cite the properties of mind - Anutva and Ekathva B. Origins of Mind Review Sankhya philosophy and terms for aspects of mind (mahad, buddhi, ahamkara, manas) The origin of mind - purusha, prakriti, brahma, Propitiation of the Concept of Mind according to Patanjali This section delves into various eastern and western concepts of mind. It will contrast yogic philosophy, sankhya, and puranic thought. It will be the closest to exploring religion as the course gets, and is important for conveying that study of the mind is a philosophy not a religion. C. What is the soul? What is the purpose of the soul? Compare and contrast mind and soul? Atma vs. soul, jivatma, chedana, paratma, purusha, Psychosomatic vs. psychic expressions Ego factor This section delves into the concept of soul as separate from religion but rather as a concept of Spirit. D. What is the purpose of life?
Human Being vs. Human Doing vs. Human Having Epistemology, the study of knowledge: its nature, scope, and limitations Ontology: the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence, or reality Discussion: why control the mind? The purpose of boundaries, the purpose of openings This section will explore the reasons why ayurvedic rishis began to explore the mind. C. What is Mind? functions Experiential: Introduction to Meditation: rhythm & passivity to outer world Introduce the mind s purpose as seen by neuroscience, by psychology, by philosophy, by Ayurveda dhi, dhriti, smriti Contrast western paradigms to yoga concepts, ayurveda concepts of mind Functions of Mind Chinta - thinking mind, Vichara - analytical mind, Uha - calculation of probabilities, Dhyeya - decision making, Sankalpa - Perception of senses directed by mind Dravyatva and Bhautikatva of mind Locations of Mind What are the Objects and Action of Mind: CHINTYA Thinking VICHARYA Analyzing UHYA Imagining DHYEYA Aiming SANKALPA - Fixing goals INDRIYA NIGRAHA Abode of sensory perceptions and their control MANO NIGRAHA Self controlling its own actions BUDDHI (intelligence) and SATVA (mind) projected by AHANKARA (I ness/ego) This section explores the logical, scientific, and spiritual constructs for the various eastern and western concepts of mind. It will contrast psychological basics from the western world, with the psychology seen in Ayurveda, which is inherently psychic and spiritual. D. Constructs of Modern Psychology Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs Higher Mental Functions by Vygotsky Dan Siegel pre-frontal cortex functions This section introduces several models of understanding the functions of the mind from the modern field of psychology in the western world. II. The Functions of Mind according to Ayurveda A. The Healthy Human Individual Review Sloka SamaDoshah samagnish ca SamaDhatuMalaKriyah Prasannaatmendriya manaha svastha iti Abhidhiyate. - Sushruta Sutrasthan 15.38 Balance of dosha, dhatu, agni, indriyas Role of the healthy senses as a window to healthy mind in human health
This section reminds the student about the holistic definition of health. B. Trigunas or Mahagunas: Sattva, Rajas & Tamas 1. The differences between SRT and VPK 2. The rule of thumb 60%S : 30%R : 10%T 3. Relations of Mahagunas with Mahabhutas, and with Doshas 4. The Patterns of Trinity in Ayurveda 5. The effects of the triguna on mind how they cause imbalance 6. Influence of rajas and tamas expressed through mind - Maana, Dambh, Shoka, Bhaya, Harsha, Vishaada, Asuya, Dainya, Matsarya, Dvesha, Udvega 7. Karma disorders, vitiation,derangement of mind 8. Six ripus. Kama-lust, Krodha-anger, Lobha-greed, Moha-delusion, Irsha-jealousy, Matsarya, Dvesha This section introduces the mental gunas or the biophysical forces of the mind. C. Koshas - Energetic World of the Subtle Body 1. Five Sheaths Annamaya Kosha, Prana-, Mano-, Jnana/Vijnana, Ananda, 2. Three Levels of Existence & Bodies Sharirs Sthoola sharir (physical), Sukshma (subtle), Karana Sharir(causal body) 3. Relationship between three Bodies and five Sheaths This section introduces the concept of energetic shells around our bodies and how to use them. D. Energetic World of the Subtle Body - Prana, Tejas, Ojas Where do our doshas originate? Are they permanent? This section introduces the concept of subtle energies related to the doshas. E. Chakras (pronounced chu kruh) Energy centers muladhara, svathistana, manipura, anahata, vishudda, ajna, sahasrara ida-pingala-sushumna This section introduces the constructs of energy centers and channels in the body. F. Subtle Energetic Practices slokas from the granthas yoga chitta vritti nirodhah: This section introduces how to use modalities and methods such as yoga to empty the mind and to strengthen the mind. III. The Functions of Mind according to Yoga A. Attributes of Mind according to Yoga Pervasiveness of mind in philosophy of Yoga vs. Mimamsa vs. Vaisheshka vs. Sankhya B. Mental activities according to Patanjali C. What vitiates the mind - Patanjali D. Propitiation of mind according to Yoga
E. Stabilization of Mind 1. Goal of Mind 2. Patanjali s Yoga Sutra Reference (Anu) IV. Introduction to Yoga Concepts A. Ashtanga Yoga Eight Limbs of Yoga B. 5 Yamas, 5 Niyamas C. Pranayama Demonstrate and teach 7 main breaths (bhastrika, kapalbhati, bhramhari, shitali/sitkali, anulo-vilom, ujjaya, dherga) and uses of kumbha D. Meditation Types, how to get started, where we go E. Swadyaya Self-study of the Yoga Sutras, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, or the Bhagavad Gita IV. The philsophy of mind comparing the philosophies of the Shad Darshan Yoga vs. Mimamsa vs. Vaisheshka vs. Sankhya Vs. Nyaya vs. Vedanta This section summarizes how Ayurveda developed concepts of the mind from its six foundational philosophies. Charvaka (Ashlesha) everything is in the now This section introduces the concept of time and the mind. V. Examination of Psychological Condition in the West This supplemental module offers optional topics for discussion. A. Mental Diseases & Treatment Approaches in the Western World B. History of Mental Health in the USA C. Advances, challenges for mental health in the USA medical system today D. Basic tools for working with the mind
E. Examination of Psychological Diseases F. Comparison of east and west for Treatment of Psychological Diseases G. Medical Ethics and Legal issues in the USA H. Health Regulations and Approaches related to Ayurvedic Medicine I. Psyche Disciplines - psychiatry vs. psychology vs. psychoanalysis vs. psychotherapy This section introduces the boundaries of the scope of practice for ayurvedic mental health. Point of reference - Is it too much? Prevention too extensive Comparison of east and west Put under discussion of treatment mano vaha srotas Kayachikitsa - B. Patterns of Daily Living: HABITS that improve the Mind Why meditation? Why clean the senses? Why yoga? This section introduces the importance of daily practice and daily routine for ayurvedic mental health. C. The Healthy Mind Non-Suppressible and Suppressible Urges - Vegas Shad Varga The six enemies of the mind lust, anger, greed, bewilderment, intoxication, envy This section introduces the Urges and invites a discussion of the instinctual urges and unconscious expressions of mind that compose our mental world. VI. Personal Growth for the Student These optional offerings are to be tailored by each teacher to the school s approach. A. Understanding Psychological Personalities Ayurvedic Approach to the Prakriti of the MIND VPK quiz, SRT tendencies Your Mental Doshic Constitution - mental prakriti intake form Your Mental Guna B. Creating Personal KAPs for this section List of desired KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices) to attain C. Resources for Further Reading Patanjali and Ayurvedic Yoga, by pp The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga, by Goswami Kriyananda pp The Seven Systems of Indian Philosophy, by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait Ayurveda: Longevity, Life, by Robert Svoboda pp Perfect Health, by Deepak Chopra, pp Ayurvedic Principles, by Swami Baba Ramdev, pp Fundamentals of Yoga, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, pp D. Research articles / mainstream validation Cases? List of Skill sets?