Structure of Personality: Indian Psychology

In Indian psychology, the structure of personality is a topic that investigates the many dimensions and features of human personality from an Indian viewpoint. Indian psychology is a new field that relies on the vast and diverse sources of Indian philosophy, spirituality, and culture. The Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras, and the writings of many schools of thought such as Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sufism all have origins in Indian psychology. The views and practices of modern Indian intellectuals such as Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jiddu Krishnamurti are also included in Indian psychology.

The emphasis on the self or atman as the center of human nature is one of the distinguishing elements of Indian psychology. The self is said to be the source of awareness, happiness, and freedom. The self is also considered to be one with absolute reality, or Brahman, which is the ultimate aim of human existence. Knowledge (jnana), action (karma), devotion (bhakti), and meditation (dhyana) are all ways to realize the self.

Prakriti, or nature, is another key term in Indian psychology. Prakriti is the material principle that makes up a person's body and psyche. Prakriti consists of three attributes or gunas: sattva (purity, harmony, and intellect), rajas (activity, passion, and dynamism), and tamas (inertia, dullness, and ignorance). These gunas have an impact on a person's temperament, behavior, and mental state. By growing sattva via ethical behavior, spiritual practice, and self-awareness, one may balance and transcend these gunas.

Other notions used in Indian psychology to explain the formation of personality include tri dosha (three humors), kosha (five sheaths), chakra (seven energy centers), and samskara (mental imprints). These notions define the various layers, functions, and interconnections of personality's physical, vital, mental, intellectual, and joyful elements. They also give rules for sustaining one's own and others' health, well-being, and harmony.

Some examples of how these concepts are applied in personality studies are:

• Tridosha: This approach is based on Ayurveda, India's traditional medical system. It asserts that there are three humors or doshas that control a person's physiological and psychological functions: vata (air), pitta (fire), and Kapha (water). The preponderance of one or more doshas determines a person's constitution or Prakriti. Each dosha has unique traits, strengths, weaknesses, and inclinations. A person's doshas can be balanced by adopting a Prakriti-appropriate diet, lifestyle, and routine.
• Kosha: This idea comes from the Upanishads, which are intellectual books that are part of the Vedas. It asserts that the self or atman is protected by five sheaths or koshas: annamaya kosha (food sheath), pranamaya kosha (vital sheath), manomaya kosha (mental sheath), vijnanamaya kosha (intellectual sheath), and anandamaya kosha (blissful sheath). These koshas symbolize the many levels of consciousness and experience that a person passes through during their lives. Yoga, meditation, and self-inquiry can help to develop and transcend these koshas.
• Chakra: This idea comes from Tantra, a Hinduism branch that deals with energy manipulation and transformation. According to the book, there are seven chakras or energy centers along the spinal column that correspond to different aspects of personality: Muladhara chakra (root chakra), svadhisthana chakra (sacral chakra), Manipura chakra (solar plexus chakra), Anahata chakra (heart chakra), vishuddha chakra (throat chakra), ajna chakra (third eye chakra), and Sahasrara chakra (crown chakra). These chakras govern the flow of prana, or life energy, throughout the body and psyche. Mantra chanting, visualization, breathing exercises, and kundalini awakening are all practices that may be used to activate and balance these chakras.
• Samskara: This idea is borrowed from Buddhism, Jainism, and other systems of thought that place a premium on karma or causation. It maintains that samskaras, or mental imprints, are generated as a result of one's actions, thoughts, emotions, and desires. These samskaras are stored in the subconscious mind and have an impact on one's personality, behavior, and fate. Mindfulness, compassion, detachment, and knowledge can be used to cleanse and release oneself from these samskaras.

Role of Tridosha in Personality

• Vata personality: A Vata personality is distinguished by lightness, movement, inventiveness, passion, and adaptability. They are frequently chatty, lively, innovative, and flexible. They like trying new things, learning new skills, and seeing new locations. In addition, they are prone to worry, nervousness, restlessness, and sleeplessness. They may quickly lose weight, have dry skin and hair, and have constipation and joint discomfort. They must balance their vata by eating warm, moist, nutritious foods and avoiding cold, dry, and light foods, as well as participating in a regular schedule, meditation, and relaxation, and being warm and comfortable.
• Pitta personality: A pitta personality is distinguished by fire, intensity, intellect, passion, and leadership. They are frequently ambitious, self-assured, competitive, and bold. They like achieving objectives, solving issues, and excelling in their areas. They are also easily angered, irritable, impatient, and jealous. They may have a voracious appetite, excellent digestion, a high body temperature, and a proclivity to sweat. They must balance their pitta by eating cool, sweet, bitter meals, avoiding spicy, sour, and salty foods, exercising moderation, cultivating peace and compassion, and remaining cool and hydrated.
• Kapha personality: A Kapha personality is distinguished by weight, stability, tranquility, loyalty, and compassion. They are frequently kind, nurturing, giving, and patient. They prefer to live in a state of peace, security, and comfort. They are also prone to apathy, attachment, avarice, and sadness. They may be prone to gaining weight, having oily skin and hair, and suffering from congestion, edema, and diabetes. They must balance their Kapha by consuming light, dry, pungent meals and avoiding sweet, salty, and greasy foods, as well as increasing their metabolism and circulation, exercising frequently, and being energetic and motivated.

Role of Chakras in Personality

• Root chakra: This chakra lies near the base of the spine and is related to the earth element. It corresponds to physiological demands and offers a sense of stability, security, and inner power. A balanced root chakra person is steady, confident, and robust. Fear, anxiety, insecurity, and greed are all symptoms of an unbalanced root chakra.
• Sacral chakra: This chakra is positioned beneath the navel and is related to water. It impacts creative and sexual energy, enjoyment, excitement, and enthusiasm, as well as safety needs. A healthy sacral chakra person is passionate, outspoken, and daring. When the sacral chakra is out of balance, a person may suffer guilt, shame, addiction, or suppression.
• Solar plexus chakra: This chakra, placed above the navel, is linked to the element of fire. It connects to demands for belonging and promotes confidence, optimism, and self-esteem. A healthy solar plexus chakra person is aggressive, powerful, and ambitious. An individual with an unbalanced solar plexus chakra may suffer wrath, violence, jealousy, or feelings of poor self-worth.
• Heart chakra: This chakra is related to the element of air and is placed in the center of the chest. It is associated with self-esteem and symbolizes love, compassion, empathy, and connection. A balanced heart chakra person is compassionate, generous, and forgiving. Grief, loneliness, anger, or bitterness are all symptoms of an unbalanced heart chakra.
• Throat chakra: This chakra is placed in the neck and is linked to the element ether. It is associated with self-actualization and allows for honest, courteous, creative self-expression and will. A balanced throat chakra person is eloquent, sincere, and courteous. When the throat chakra is out of harmony, a person may feel deception, manipulation, silence, or criticism.
• Third eye chakra: This chakra, placed between the brows, is linked to the element of light. It fosters knowledge, truth-seeking, and intuition by connecting to self-transcendence. A balanced third-eye chakra person is perceptive, visionary, and open-minded. An unbalanced third eye chakra can cause confusion, illusion, delusion, or paranoia.
• Crown chakra: The element of awareness is related to this chakra, which is positioned at the top of the head. It ties to self-awareness as well as inspiration, charm, and spirituality. A balanced crown chakra person is awakened, alert, and joyous. When the crown chakra is out of balance, a person may sense separation, solitude, despair, or extremism.

Role of Samskara in Personality

• Hinduism: In Hinduism, samskara is regarded as the foundation for the formation of karma theory. Karma is the rule of cause and consequence that regulates the rebirth cycle, also known as samsara. Every action, intent, or preparation made by an individual leaves a samskara (impression, effect, or imprint) in the deeper structure of the person's mind, according to several schools of Hindu philosophy. These impressions then await volitional fulfillment in the shape of concealed expectations, circumstances, or a subconscious feeling of self-worth in that individual's future. These inclinations, karmic impulses, subconscious impressions, habitual potencies, or intrinsic dispositions appear as samskaras. These samskaras also have an impact on the quality and quantity of one's prana, or life energy. Purification and liberation from these samskaras can be attained via the practice of different spiritual disciplines such as yoga, meditation, self-inquiry, ethics, and devotion.
• Buddhism: Samskara is one of the five aggregates or skandhas that comprise a sentient being in Buddhism. Form (rupa), feeling (vedana), perception (samjna), and awareness (vijnana) are the other four aggregates. In this sense, samskara refers to "volitional formations" or "mental fabrications" that are influenced by ignorance (avidya) and yearning (tanha). These structures are the karmic acts of the body, speech, and mind that result in future vipaka. Samskara is also used to describe the underlying inclinations or habitual patterns that emerge from these formations and impact one's behaviors and decisions. Through the noble eightfold path, one can conquer these samskaras by acquiring insight (prajna) and compassion (karuna).
• Jainism: In Jainism, samskara is the subtle matter or karma particles that attach to the soul (jiva) due to its attachment (raga) and aversion (dvesha). These particles obscure the true nature of the soul and cause bondage (bandha) and delusion (moha). Samskara also refers to the modifications or transformations that these particles cause in the soul’s attributes such as knowledge (jnana), perception (darshana), bliss (sukha), and energy (virya). A person can remove these samskaras by practicing non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).
• Sikhism: In Sikhism, samskara is the impression or imprint that one’s actions leave on one’s mind. These impressions affect one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions in the future. Samskara also refers to the rituals or ceremonies that mark important stages in one’s life such as birth, naming, initiation, marriage, and death. These rituals are meant to remind one of one’s spiritual identity and purpose in life. A person can transcend these samskaras by meditating on the name of God (Naam) and following the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Role of 5 Koshas in Personality

• Annamaya kosha: This is the physical sheath that composes the outer layer. It is nourished by food and water and provides the basic structure and functions of the body. It is also influenced by the environment, genetics, and lifestyle. A person with a balanced annamaya kosha is healthy, strong, and flexible.?A person with an imbalanced annamaya kosha may experience illness, injury, or fatigue.
• Pranamaya kosha: This is the vital sheath that resides within the annamaya kosha. It is composed of prana or life force that flows through the nadis or energy channels and the chakras or energy centers. It regulates the breath, digestion, circulation, and metabolism. It also connects the body and mind and influences emotions and moods. A balanced pranamaya kosha individual is dynamic, bright, and tranquil. A person with a pranamaya kosha imbalance may suffer tension, anxiety, or sadness.
• Manomaya kosha: This is the mental sheath that resides within the pranamaya kosha. It is composed of manas or the mind that processes sensory information, memory, thoughts, and feelings. It also includes ahamkara or ego that creates a sense of identity and individuality. A balanced manomaya kosha person is observant, reasonable, and creative. A person with a manomaya kosha imbalance may feel bewilderment, delusion, or attachment.
• Vijnanamaya kosha: This is the intellectual sheath that resides within the manomaya kosha. It is composed of Buddhi or intellect that analyzes, discriminates, and decides. It also includes chitta or consciousness that reflects the pure awareness of the soul. A balanced vijnanamaya kosha person is knowledgeable, perceptive, and intuitive. With an uneven vijnanamaya kosha, a person may suffer uncertainty, ignorance, or arrogance.
• Anandamaya kosha: This is the blissful sheath that resides within the vijnanamaya kosha. It is composed of ananda or bliss that arises from the realization of one’s true nature as the soul. It also includes vasanas or latent tendencies and desires that influence one’s karma or actions. A balanced anandamaya kosha person is joyous, kind, and free. Suffering, attachment, or aversion may be experienced by someone who has an unbalanced anandamaya kosha.

Having a Positive Personality

To have a positive personality in Indian psychology, one needs to understand and apply the principles and practices of both positive psychology and Indian psychology. Positive psychology is a science of positive aspects of human life, such as happiness, well-being, and flourishing. Indian psychology is an approach to psychology based on the Indian ethos, worldview, and spirituality. Both fields aim to enhance the quality of life and promote human potential.

Some of the ways to have a positive personality in Indian psychology are:

• Cultivate universal perspectives that foster the positive transformation of human conditions toward achievement and well-being:?Indian psychology emphasizes the unity of all existence and the interdependence of all beings. It also values the diversity of human experiences and expressions. By adopting a universal perspective, one can develop a sense of compassion, empathy, and harmony with oneself and others.?One can also appreciate the beauty and wisdom of different cultures and traditions.
• Develop a deeper awareness and wisdom of one’s true nature as the soul or atman:?Indian psychology considers the soul or atman as the essence of one’s personality. The soul is pure consciousness, bliss, and freedom. It is beyond the limitations of the body, mind, and ego. By realizing one’s true nature as the soul, one can experience joy, peace, and liberation.?One can also transcend the effects of karma or actions that bind one to the cycle of birth and death.
• Practice various spiritual disciplines such as yoga, meditation, self-inquiry, ethics, and devotion:?Indian psychology offers various methods and techniques to purify and balance the different layers or sheaths of one’s personality. These are annamaya kosha (food sheath), pranamaya kosha (vital sheath), manomaya kosha (mental sheath), vijnanamaya kosha (intellectual sheath), and anandamaya kosha (blissful sheath). These sheaths represent the different levels of consciousness and experience that a person goes through in life.?By practicing yoga, meditation, self-inquiry, ethics, and devotion, one can refine and transcend these sheaths and attain self-realization.
• Apply positive psychology interventions to enhance one’s happiness, well-being, and flourishing:?Positive psychology interventions are evidence-based activities that aim to increase positive emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and outcomes. Some examples of positive psychology interventions are gratitude journaling, mindfulness practice, acts of kindness, optimism training, character strengths identification, goal setting, etc.?These interventions can help one to cope with stress, improve relationships, boost self-esteem, and achieve personal growth.

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