As professionals in the field of psychology, it's crucial to recognise the limitations and biases embedded in Western approaches to therapy. While Western psychology has contributed valuable insights into human behavior, it is also shaped by a colonised worldview. This article explores the colonised nature of Western psychological models and contrasts them with the consciousness-based, holistic approach of Gurmat Psychology, rooted in Sikh philosophy.
Embracing a Consciousness-Based Approach: Moving Beyond the Colonised View in Western Psychology
Colonised View and Biases in Western Psychology
1. Eurocentric Perspectives
Western psychology developed primarily in Europe and North America, leading to an overwhelmingly Eurocentric perspective. This framework often universalises Western values and norms, unintentionally marginalising the diverse experiences and wisdom of non-Western cultures. Cultural nuances, indigenous knowledge, and alternate worldviews may be underappreciated, resulting in a one-size-fits-all approach to human behavior and well-being.
2. Individualistic Focus
Western psychological theories typically emphasise individualism, personal achievement, and self-determination. While these values may resonate in Western cultures, they can overlook the significance of community, family, and interconnectedness in other cultures. This narrow focus can obscure how social, environmental, and cultural factors influence mental health.
3. Materialist Worldview
A significant portion of Western psychology operates from a materialist worldview, reducing human experience to physical and cognitive processes. This reductionist view neglects the spiritual dimension of human existence and the importance of consciousness. The mind is often seen as separate from the body, limiting the scope of understanding human psychology.
4. Pathologising Diverse Experiences
Western psychological models may pathologise behaviors, beliefs, or emotional expressions that deviate from the Western norm. This can lead to the stigmatisation of culturally diverse expressions of spirituality, mental health, or coping mechanisms, overlooking the legitimacy and richness of these experiences.
Gurmat's Consciousness-Based Worldview
Gurmat Psychology, rooted in Sikh philosophy, offers a profound, decolonised perspective on human well-being by emphasising the role of consciousness and spirituality in shaping our experiences.
1. Understanding the Nature of Reality
Gurmat views reality as an expression of divine consciousness, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all beings and their inherent spiritual essence. This perspective encourages individuals to see beyond the material world and recognise the sacredness of existence. It acknowledges that mental well-being cannot be separated from the deeper understanding of self, soul, and universe.
2. Mind and Egoic Complex
In Gurmat, the human mind is seen as intricately linked with the egoic complex (Haumai), which creates a sense of separation from the Divine. Gurmat encourages self-awareness and introspection to transcend the ego's limitations, promoting transpersonal growth and emotional balance.
3. Psychophysiology: Ego and Body Connection
Gurmat offers a detailed understanding of psychophysiology, recognising the interplay between the egoic complex (Haumai) and the body's physiological responses. It acknowledges that the ego affects mental, emotional, and physical health by triggering the fight-flight response and shaping one's experience of suffering (dukh) or happiness (sukh).
4. States of Consciousness
Gurmat introduces the concept of the Panj Khands (Five Realms of Consciousness), which provide a framework to understand human experience at different levels of awareness. These realms offer insight into how individuals can evolve from ego-bound existence to higher states of spiritual consciousness.
5. Unhealthy Emotional States (Panj Chor)
Gurmat identifies the Panj Chor (Five Thieves), which represent unhealthy emotional states such as lust, anger, greed, attachment, and ego-driven pride. These emotional states trigger psychological and physical distress and perpetuate suffering. By addressing these root causes, Gurmat provides a pathway toward emotional liberation.
6. Emotional and Self-Regulation
Gurmat promotes practices such as Simran (meditative remembrance), mantra-based meditation, and self-inquiry (Khoj). These practices help individuals cultivate emotional regulation and transform negative mental states into balanced, healthier ways of being.
Cultivating Positive Psychology Through Gurmat
1. Contentment (Santokh)
Gurmat encourages the practice of Santokh (contentment), a key virtue for fostering inner peace. By cultivating contentment, individuals can manage and alleviate emotional distress, focusing on gratitude rather than attachment to external outcomes.
2. Range of Practices and Meditations
Gurmat offers a diverse array of spiritual practices, including meditations, self-inquiry, and mindfulness techniques that help individuals develop self-awareness and resilience. These practices are essential tools for navigating life's challenges and promoting holistic well-being.
3. Seva (Selfless Service)
A central tenet of Gurmat is Seva (selfless service), which emphasizes serving others without expecting anything in return. Engaging in Seva nurtures a sense of interconnectedness, purpose, and fulfillment, which enhances psychological well-being and reduces feelings of isolation and self-centeredness.
Conclusion: A Call for a Decolonised Approach to Therapy
As mental health professionals, it is vital to recognise the limitations of Western psychology’s colonised worldview. Embracing alternative, evidence-based frameworks—such as the consciousness-based worldview of Gurmat—offers a transformative approach to understanding and healing the human psyche.
By integrating the wisdom of Gurmat into therapeutic practice, we can enrich the current understanding of mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This not only creates more inclusive and compassionate therapeutic environments but also addresses the deeper, transpersonal dimensions of the human experience.
Incorporating Gurmat’s holistic view into therapy fosters a decolonized, consciousness-based approach that promotes optimum mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Through practices like Simran, self-inquiry, and Seva, therapists and individuals alike can transcend egoic limitations, cultivating self-awareness and profound inner peace.
Written by Master Dav Panesar (original source)
Gurmat Therapy can support the safe dissolution of the ego complex by cultivating right-mindfulness (symran), self-awareness (gurmukh), detachment (taagh), dissolution of the illusion of separation (jagurta), and compassion (dya and karuna). Through regular right-mindfulness meditation practice, we can develop a deeper understanding of the ego's constructed nature and begin to transcend its limitations, leading to a more authentic and expansive sense of self.
Book a health and wellbeing assessment: https://www.integralhealththerapy.com/contact
Comments