Integration of Indian Psychological Traditions (Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness) into Modern Mental Health Practice: A Conceptual and Systematic Review
Sandhya Sood
International Journal of Education, Modern Management, Applied Science & Social Science August 28, 2026 DOI: 10.62823/ijemmasss/8.3(i).9300 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Argues that Indian psychological traditions, particularly yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, are effective in reducing anxiety, depression, stress, and psychosomatic disorders, and that they align with modern therapeutic approaches. Proposes a structured framework for integrating these traditions into contemporary mental health care. |
Abstract
The growing global burden of mental health disorders has highlighted the limitations of exclusively biomedical and symptom-focused treatment models, prompting renewed interest in holistic and culturally rooted approaches to psychological well-being. Indian psychological traditions—particularly yoga, meditation, and mindfulness—offer comprehensive frameworks that integrate cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual dimensions of mental health. Rooted in classical philosophical systems such as the Yoga Sutras, Buddhist contemplative practices, and Vedantic thought, these traditions conceptualize mental distress not merely as pathology but as imbalance in consciousness, lifestyle, and self-awareness. This paper aims to examine the relevance and integration of Indian psychological traditions within contemporary mental health practices through a secondary data–based conceptual and systematic review of existing literature. Drawing on interdisciplinary research from psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and integrative medicine, the study synthesizes empirical findings on the therapeutic effectiveness of yoga-based interventions, meditation techniques, and mindfulness-based clinical programs in reducing anxiety, depression, stress, and psychosomatic disorders. The analysis also explores theoretical convergences between Indian holistic psychology and modern approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, positive psychology, and mind-body medicine. The review identifies increasing global institutional acceptance of contemplative practices, while also highlighting conceptual distortions, methodological limitations, and the need for culturally grounded integration models. The paper contributes by proposing a structured framework for integrating Indian psychological knowledge systems into modern mental health care, with implications for clinical practice, research, and mental health policy.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |