Ancient Wisdom, Modern Thought
Naamleela F. Jones
Journal of Indian Knowledge Systems March 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1163/30510171-00102004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | meditation mantra breathwork |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Consciousness Physicalism Experiential learning Mind–body problem Qualia Function biology Epistemology Aesthetics Western philosophy Experiential knowledge |
| Key points | Argues that yogic philosophy reframes the 'hard problem' of consciousness by treating consciousness as the foundational reality from which both mind and body emerge. |
Abstract
Abstract This article examines the intersections between Indian yogic philosophy and contemporary Western theories of consciousness, arguing that yogic models offer a radical reorientation of the mind-body problem. While Western philosophy has traditionally framed mind and body as separate or as reducible to one another, yogic philosophy offers alternative models that challenge or bypass the dualistic frameworks of Descartes and the physicalist assumptions of modern neuroscience. Drawing from ancient sources such as the Upaniṣads, the Yoga Sūtras, and Tantric texts, alongside modern theories like the filter thesis and dual-aspect monism, this article demonstrates how yogic philosophy reframes the “hard problem” of consciousness – dissolving simplistic binaries and treating consciousness as the foundational reality from which both mind and body emerge. It further explores how yogic disciplines such as meditation, mantra, and breathwork function as experiential technologies for participating in, rather than merely theorizing about, the nature and structure of consciousness. Ultimately, the article proposes that by integrating ancient and modern perspectives, we can transcend the divisions between “East” and “West,” “ancient” and “modern,” and science and spirituality, moving toward a transformed understanding of consciousness and the mind-body relationship.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |