Flow State in Vedic Rituals and Bhagavad Gita Philosophy

Abstract

Psychology has been witnessing a gradual transition towards a holistic and positive approach, with contemporary fields reviving religious and spiritual philosophies and their positive take on mental well-being.  It was Positive Psychology to incept and diversify its approach with its aim of creating the best and purposeful life through positive subjective experiences.  Converging to similar approach and goals, Indian Psychology and Positive Psychology share one of the common dimensions of Spirituality, approaching the mind from the point of view of consciousness & transcendence.  The objective of the study is to understand the Csikszentmihalyi concept of Flow and Optimal experience in Vedic rituals and Bhagavad Gita Philosophy & affirm the complementary nature of Indian Psychology with Positive Psychology. A Deductive Thematic Analysis was undertaken with derived themes from the concept of Flow, such as Ordered & Disordered Consciousness, Sensory discipline, Complex Self, Autotelic Experience and Optimal Experience. Selected Shlokas of Vedas, Upanishad and Bhagavad Gita were coded as Rtam, Brahman, Yajna, Shreya Vidya, Karmayoga, Sat-Citta-Ananda, and further interpreted under these themes from the perspective of Indian Psychology.