Asian Journal of Psychiatry
February 1, 2024
Matcheri S Keshavan, Hemant Bhargav
12 citations
Ancient Eastern philosophies, including Vedic, Upanishadic, and Buddhist traditions, have long argued that the individual self is illusory, proposing either a no-self or a universal Self, and that the perceived universe is an illusion (Maya) with only the knower (Brahman) as real—a view that resonates with modern quantum theory. In contrast, Western philosophy, shaped by Cartesian dualism, has pursued an individualist view of the self. Recent psychological research converges with Eastern perspectives, highlighting the role of self-understanding, metacognition, and mindfulness in addressing mental afflictions. Several contemporary Western psychotherapeutic models reflect these ancient insights, but further empirical testing and development of such approaches are needed.
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
June 1, 2025
Matcheri S Keshavan, Hemant Bhargav
4 citations
Eastern spiritual traditions, including Hindu and other ancient practices, offer pathways to well-being through self-awareness (knowledge), selfless action (karma yoga), and compassion (bhakti yoga). Yogic meditative practices (dhyana yoga) combine ethical behavior, postures, breath control, and meditation to master physiological and psychological processes. These practices require sustained effort (abhyasa) and detachment (vairagya) to overcome ego hindrances. The paper reviews these concepts and connects them to modern psychology and neuroscience, noting that focused attention, open-monitoring, and transcendental meditation show somewhat distinctive neural correlates with brain oscillations and circuits. These approaches may be differentially effective across medical and psychiatric disorders. Gaps in knowledge are identified, and a framework for future research in positive psychology and psychiatry is proposed.
Journal of Applied Consciousness Studies
January 1, 2026
G. Raj, Hemant Bhargav
1 citation
Among 46 people who had a mystical experience (35 from psychedelics, 5 naturally, 6 during meditation), higher mystical experience scores correlated with lower scores on several yoga-based personality traits considered obstacles to inner peace: Asmita-Tamasic, Dvesha, Abhinivesha, and VPI-Rajas. Positive mood during the experience correlated with higher Asmita-Gunateeta scores. Psychedelic users who meditated had lower scores on Swapna consciousness, Asmita-Tamasic, and Abhinivesha than those who did not meditate. People with a current mental health diagnosis scored higher on VPI-Rajas and VPI-Tamas and on Kapha constitution. The findings suggest a yogic framework could inform psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in India.
Annals of Neurosciences
June 29, 2026
Vandana Daulatabad, K Prafull, H Estelle et al.
A 12-week Transcendental Meditation intervention (20 minutes/day, 5 days/week) in 34 healthy adults aged 25–50 reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate with a small effect size. EEG analysis showed increased functional connectivity across fronto-central and occipital regions. Visual and auditory reaction times improved significantly, with the largest effect in auditory reaction time. The findings suggest TM enhances cardiovascular regulation, brain connectivity, and cognitive processing speed, reflecting improved neural efficiency and autonomic balance, and may serve as a simple, non-pharmacological approach for improving cognitive performance and well-being.
Indian journal of community medicine : official publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine
February 1, 2026
K H Naveen, Purnandu Sharma, Hemant Bhargav et al.
Meditation, a mind-body practice originally used for self-realization, is now studied for health benefits, particularly for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, and type 2 diabetes. These NCDs cause over 80% of premature NCD deaths globally, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, and are associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Meditation improves psychological correlates and quality of life in people with NCDs through psycho-neuro-endo-immunological mechanisms, with small-to-medium effect sizes (Cohen's d: 0.20-0.79). Despite limitations like small samples and high attrition, clinicians are encouraged to recommend meditation as add-on therapy for consenting patients.
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
January 1, 2026
Hemant Bhargav, Urvakhsh Meherwan Mehta, Ashish Kumar et al.
Pranayama, the ancient yogic practice of breath control, acts as a natural method of neuromodulation by influencing autonomic functions, brainwave patterns, and neuroendocrine responses. Evidence from clinical, neuroimaging, and psychophysiological studies shows that techniques such as slow breathing, rapid breathing, and unilateral nostril breathing stimulate the vagus nerve, regulate the autonomic nervous system, and shift hemispheric brain dominance—mechanisms similar to contemporary approaches like transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation. Pranayama offers an accessible, self-directed alternative for managing stress, enhancing cognition, and promoting emotion regulation. Significant knowledge gaps remain, including the need for well-powered, randomized-controlled studies to understand durability of effects, optimal protocols, and mechanisms of action.
Journal of Religion and Health
October 1, 2015
Hemant Bhargav, Aarti Jagannathan, Nagarathna Raghuram et al.
Spiritual experiences and psychotic symptoms can appear similar, both involving alterations in the sense of self. Spiritual growth involves systematically reducing the ego to merge with universal consciousness, while psychosis stems from personality derangement. Clinical practice lacks clear guidelines for distinguishing them. This case presentation of a 34-year-old unmarried man with complaints of lacking a sense of self since childhood, existential questioning, social withdrawal, and occupational dysfunction uses qualitative analysis and discussions referencing ancient texts and modern psychology. The diagnosis was schizophrenia, not spiritual advancement, and the report tabulates clinically useful distinguishing features.