COURSE OUTLINE
TITLE:
SELF-TRANSFORMATION: INDIAN APPROACHES
FACULTY: C. Manohar Reddy
OBJECTIVES:
This course is aimed at
-
familiarising the participants with the world views and philosophies of life that
underly the traditions of Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina thought;
helping them to examine their own world views and philosophies of life;
familiarising them with the different approaches to self-transformation suggested
by these ancient Indian traditions;
helping them to become familiar with the different traditional Indian practices and
techniques for self-transformation and;
encouraging them to take the initial steps towards self-transformation
COURSE CONTENTS:
Module - I
2 session
Introduction to the course; Meaning and purpose of life and the importance of
personal philosophy of life
Module - II
5 sessions
The Hindu world View:
- The true nature of the self and the world: Atman and Brahman
- The five sheaths (Pancha Koshas)
- Dharma: The cosmic moral order
- Doctrine of Karma and the cycle of births and deaths
- The meaning and purposes of human life: The Purushardhas
- Importance of self-realisation and liberation
- The four states of consciousness
Module - III
Buddhist and Jaina world views:
-
The nature of reality: Impermanence and egolessness
The four noble truths
Buddhist doctrine of rebirth
The dependent origination
Atomic theory of Jainas
Jiva and Ajiva
3 sessions
-
The nature of self
Bondage and liberation
Module IV
3 sessions
Methods and Approches to self-transformation:
- Different paths for achieving self-transformation and liberation Bhakti, Jnana, Raja and Karma yogas
- The special message of The Song Celestial (Bhagavadgita):
The path of action (Karma Yoga)
- Asthanga yoga of Patanjali
- The Buddha's noble eight-fold path
Module V
5 sessions
Practical steps and techniques of self-transformation
- Transforming the negative thought patterns and reprogramming the mind
- Understanding the mind and the states of consciousness
- Preliminary steps towards self-transformation
- Preparing body and breath: Asana and Pranayama
- Preliminary steps in meditation
- Dhyana: Practices for concentration and meditation
- Japayoga, Ajapa-Japa, Antar mouna, Inner visualisation and Yoga Nidra
- Samatha and Vipassana: Training for concentration, awareness and equanimity
Module VI
2 sessions
Presentations by groups and review/reflections
COURSE CREDITS: Three
20 sessions (90 minutes each)
TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODOLOGY
Teaching methodology will be a combination of lecture-cum-discussions based on
assigned readings/ / presentations, meditation and other practice exercises.
The participants will be encouraged to examine their world-view and philosophy of life
through specific assignments and undertake the practice of yogasanas, pranayama and
meditation.
EVALUATION
Course evaluation will be based on:
Take home assignments
Presentations
Book review
End term Examination
30%
20%
20%
30%
PRE-REQUISITES:
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Morgan Kenneth, The Religion of Hindus
2. Swami Bhaskarananda, The Essentials of Hinduism
3. Hiriyanna M, The Essentials of Indian Philosophy
4. Hiriyanna M, Outlines of Indian Philosophy
5. Swami Abhedananda, Self Knowledge
6. Buddhist Missionary Society, Gems of Buddhist Wisdom
7. William Hart, Art of living
8. Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Meditations from the Tantras
9. Dharmananda K, Treasure of Dhamma
10. Thera Piyadassi, The Buddha’s ancient path
11. Krishna Sivaraman, Hindu Spirituality
12. Swami Rama, Path of fire and light-I
13. Mahathera Piyadassi, The Spectrum of Buddhism
14. Swami Rama, Path of fire and light-II
NONE