Dhīti is a blog for long form essays, expressions of civilizational voice, cinema and literature review, and more.
A personal reflection of the writer's experience studying at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, and the transformative impact it had on her understanding of the self and her relationship with the world and God. Part 1 of 4.
Dr. Richa Chopra continues her series on Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras and tells us why 'the quality of life is how the mind perceives it' and how to go about acquiring a better quality of life. By consciously building mental and physical habits that awaken us to the great goals of human life. Step by step, day by day, thought by thought. There is no easy way out.
Education in post-colonial India, as Ashis Nandy argues, has become a means to inculcate a 'shared culture' in which, ‘the ruled are constantly tempted to fight their rulers within the psychological limits set by the latter.' This demonstrates the durability of the psychological aspect of colonial conquest, one that continues to remain below the surface all this while and cannot be repelled by force.
On this Teacher's Day, we scope some views of the man behind the legacy. His wide range, his exposure to Western civilization, his own readings of Dharma- these gave to Shri Radhakrishnan a unique view, a distinct voice. Art, intuition, science - he had insights on all.
The construction of the models of mind and mental health from the Western paradigm is demonstrably incomplete, attempting symptomatic relief. This has led to the utter neglect of the inner world, self-awareness, experiential realities and insights from the Indic Knowledge Systems (such as Yoga, Vedānta, Āyurveda etc.).
Results of the tapas and intellectuality of our ṛṣis and and how, through education, they imparted essential faculties.
The thrust of all gurukula education of yore was towards self knowledge. Only by knowing our true selves can we claim to be wholesome.
The uninterrupted transmission of knowledge would not have been possible without the intervention of excellent teachers, called gurus in Indian traditions.
Learning has long been valued and pursued in India, not only as part of dharma and philosophy, but for its own sake—knowledge itself was a pursuit in Indian education.