In R Moodley(Eds.),The Routledge International Handbook of Race,Ethnicity and Culture in Mental Health, pp. 250-261. Routledge, Canada. ISBN 978-1-138-27999-5, 2020
Hinduism as a culture and religion is integral to the evolution and development of Indian society... more Hinduism as a culture and religion is integral to the evolution and development of Indian society and not unlike other Eastern cultures it is family based and community centred (Laungani,2005 ). Hinduism can be seen as a way of life, not separating the secular from the sacred; religious from the scientific; or the individual from the collective. According to Laungani (2005), at the simplest level Hinduism can be seen as a ‘revealed’ religion (in the same way that Judaism, Christianity and Islam is understood), or has evolved over the centuries into a complex philosophical and religious phenomena.
Hinduism is based on ancient texts and scriptures - the Upanishads, the Vedas, and the Bhagvad Gita - which has informed the history and philosophy of every aspect of Hindu life (Mysorekar 2006). These writings are the material and spiritual texts that has influenced Indian cultural practices, value systems and beliefs about mental health and well-being (Juthani 2001). Its emphasis on Karma yoga (or theory of action) and Jnana yoga (theory of pursuit of knowledge, sacrifice and service to the society) towards liberation from material desires tend to inform the very existence of a Hindu (Chekki 1996). It is also believed that a confused state of consciousness (ignorance, fear, and false beliefs) is the root cause of pain and suffering; and mental and psychological distress. Hinduism provides the basic knowledge about how to live life meaningfully, the concept of God or gods and the path to reach God or the gods; social norms, and customs and traditions. During a time of psychological distress or mental ill health, Hindus prefer to resort to believe in the karma theory in understanding the aetiology of the illness (Dalal and Misra 2011) and then resort to faith in God (Dalal 2016) and the use of Indian cultural and traditional healing practices (Khosla and Das 2019).
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Hinduism is based on ancient texts and scriptures - the Upanishads, the Vedas, and the Bhagvad Gita - which has informed the history and philosophy of every aspect of Hindu life (Mysorekar 2006). These writings are the material and spiritual texts that has influenced Indian cultural practices, value systems and beliefs about mental health and well-being (Juthani 2001). Its emphasis on Karma yoga (or theory of action) and Jnana yoga (theory of pursuit of knowledge, sacrifice and service to the society) towards liberation from material desires tend to inform the very existence of a Hindu (Chekki 1996). It is also believed that a confused state of consciousness (ignorance, fear, and false beliefs) is the root cause of pain and suffering; and mental and psychological distress. Hinduism provides the basic knowledge about how to live life meaningfully, the concept of God or gods and the path to reach God or the gods; social norms, and customs and traditions. During a time of psychological distress or mental ill health, Hindus prefer to resort to believe in the karma theory in understanding the aetiology of the illness (Dalal and Misra 2011) and then resort to faith in God (Dalal 2016) and the use of Indian cultural and traditional healing practices (Khosla and Das 2019).
Papers by Erica Killick
Hinduism is based on ancient texts and scriptures - the Upanishads, the Vedas, and the Bhagvad Gita - which has informed the history and philosophy of every aspect of Hindu life (Mysorekar 2006). These writings are the material and spiritual texts that has influenced Indian cultural practices, value systems and beliefs about mental health and well-being (Juthani 2001). Its emphasis on Karma yoga (or theory of action) and Jnana yoga (theory of pursuit of knowledge, sacrifice and service to the society) towards liberation from material desires tend to inform the very existence of a Hindu (Chekki 1996). It is also believed that a confused state of consciousness (ignorance, fear, and false beliefs) is the root cause of pain and suffering; and mental and psychological distress. Hinduism provides the basic knowledge about how to live life meaningfully, the concept of God or gods and the path to reach God or the gods; social norms, and customs and traditions. During a time of psychological distress or mental ill health, Hindus prefer to resort to believe in the karma theory in understanding the aetiology of the illness (Dalal and Misra 2011) and then resort to faith in God (Dalal 2016) and the use of Indian cultural and traditional healing practices (Khosla and Das 2019).