It’s not a secret that our fast-paced and demanding work culture can often challenge our mental wellness. But did you know that there are ancient Indian practices that hold the key to our modern day mental health problems?
Our modern lifestyle is riddled with so many problems, be it an unhealthy routine, disturbing geopolitical events, social media addiction, or relationship dissatisfaction. On top of all these, a workplace burnout or stress related to work can become too much to handle.
There is an urgent need to address our mental health challenges so that we can live our lives with more purpose, intention, and satisfaction.
Although there is a growing awareness surrounding the topic of mental health, conventional treatment mainly focuses on the symptoms, not overall well-being. To bridge this gap, many of us seek holistic healing and spiritual intervention to enhance our mental and emotional condition and quality of living.
While you might think modern problems need modern solutions, India’s age-old wisdom, documented in holy scriptures and doctrines offer surprising insights into our contemporary mental wellness challenges.
This invaluable knowledge found in ancient Indian scriptures has been researched, analyzed, and interpreted by many contemporary scholars and it has been found that these practical philosophies and practices can be applied to ensure better mental wellness and improved efficiency in the corporate world.
So, if you are interested, let’s dig deeper and explore the ancient Indian rituals for mental wellness in corporate life!
Read: Astrology And Mental Health: Which Planets Influence Your Emotions, According To Vedic Astrology
4 Ancient Indian Practices For Mental Wellness In Corporate Life
Here are the four practices found in ancient Indian scriptures that can improve your mental health at work:
Mantra Chanting
The Vedas, especially the Rigveda, emphasize that the rhythmic repetition of sacred sounds (mantras) can harmonize the mind, body, and spirit, thereby dissolving mental disturbances and fostering inner peace.
These chants are believed to carry spiritual and vibrational power, aligning human consciousness with deeper states of awareness. Research suggests the acoustic patterns of Vedic mantras can synchronize with specific brainwave frequencies, encouraging meditative states and alleviating psychological stress.
The vibrational theory further claims that sound frequencies influence brain function by modulating wave patterns, thereby impacting emotional states.
More studies reveal that regular mantra chanting may open up neural pathways, contributing to better mood regulation and a resilient stress response.
As such, it can be safe to say that Vedic mantra chanting is not only a spiritual exercise but also a valuable tool in contemporary mental health practices, increasingly adopted to address stress, anxiety, depression, and overall emotional well-being.
You can inculcate the habit of chanting mantras in your everyday life. Find suitable mantras that are aligned with your purpose or stressors and start your day with chanting. You can also listen to these mantras whenever you feel stressed or out of balance, during your workday.
Read: 5 Daily Spiritual Habits To Ground Your Mind In A Fast-Paced World
Inward Focus through Self-Mastery and Detachment
The Upanishads emphasize self-mastery and detachment as vital pillars for attaining mental clarity, emotional resilience, and inner peace.
Through practices like Dama, the control of the senses and mind and Atma Vichara, or self-inquiry and self-awareness, individuals are encouraged to transcend reactive emotions and cultivate deliberate awareness.
This process of inward focus fosters a form of mental discipline that is increasingly validated by modern psychology for its role in reducing stress and enhancing emotional regulation.
Furthermore, the Upanishadic principle of non-attachment to the ego, or Ahamkara, invites individuals to let go of rigid self-identities and emotional dependencies. This detachment does not imply emotional numbness but rather a deepened sense of humility, compassion, and mental stability, aligning with contemporary findings on ego dissolution and its impact on well-being.
Say, your boss or a senior colleague has a habit of getting on your nerves. They try to find faults in everything you do or downplay your contributions. You can bring your focus to your inner world. Think about what really triggers you. What are you expecting from them? Do you need validation? Is reacting or lashing out a good option? Have a conversation with your urges, let go of your ego, and try to come up with a creative solution for your situation.
Read: How To NOT Take Things Personally At Work: 7 Survival Tips For Sensitive People
Equanimity and Dispassionate Action
The Bhagavad Gita is a philosophical dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, offering profound teachings on duty, self-realization, non-attachment, and the path to inner peace. It is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata and serves as a guide to ethical living, spiritual growth, and mental clarity.
The Bhagavad Gita presents a profound psychological framework for mental well-being through the principles of equanimity (sthitaprajna) and dispassionate action (niṣkama karma). These teachings encourage individuals to act with full dedication while relinquishing attachment to the outcomes; a state known as anasakti, or non-attachment.
According to the Gita, desires function like an unquenchable fire, often leading to emotional turbulence, stress, and inner conflict. By cultivating equanimity, one learns to maintain mental balance amidst success and failure, praise and criticism, gain and loss.
Such steadiness not only reduces emotional reactivity but also nurtures clarity of thought and emotional regulation, aligning with modern therapeutic goals in stress management and cognitive-behavioral interventions.
The Gita’s emphasis on dispassionate engagement highlights that mental peace does not arise from inaction, but from intentional action without ego-driven desire. According to research, the dynamic interaction between thought, motivation, and behavior can be modulated when one disengages from the compulsive need to control outcomes.
This mirrors principles in positive psychology, particularly the virtue of non-attachment as a strength contributing to resilience and emotional stability.
Through meditation, introspection, and self-regulation, you can leverage these timeless strategies for transforming emotional entanglement into inner composure. When you feel disappointed or discouraged by any setback at work, remind yourself that it’s okay to give your best but you are not tied to the outcome. Don’t let success go to your head and failure to your heart.
Read: Chakra Balancing Root To Crown With Yoga
Harmonizing Gunas (Constituents of Nature) and Doshas (Biological Humors)
Ayurveda or the “science of life” is an ancient Indian system of medicine that emphasizes holistic health through the balance of body, mind, and spirit. It focuses on individualized treatment using diet, lifestyle, herbal remedies, and therapies.
It offers a holistic framework for mental health by emphasizing the harmonization of the Trigunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) and the Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).
Ayurveda asserts that mental well-being arises from a dominance of Sattva; the guna or trait associated with clarity, balance, and calm, while Rajas and Tamas must be kept in check to prevent agitation, confusion, and inertia.
Similarly, imbalances in Vata are often linked to anxiety and mood disorders, while Pitta and Kapha imbalances may manifest as anger, lethargy, or depression. The alignment of these psychospiritual and physiological forces is considered essential for psychological resilience.
Ayurvedic treatment emphasizes restoring this balance through lifestyle practices that support Ojas, the vital essence believed to promote mental strength, emotional stability, and immunity.
Techniques like meditation, mindful eating, and adequate rest are central to preserving this harmony.
Ayurveda also identifies specific personality types and maps them to psychological disorders, as demonstrated in Dube’s comparative work with modern diagnostic systems. For instance, Vataj disorders like gandharvagraheet correlate with mania, while manasdukh (linked to Pitta imbalance) mirrors depressive symptoms.
In Ayurveda, health is about balancing these energies, not eliminating any of them. By aligning the Gunas and Doshas, Ayurveda promotes not just mental health but a state of physiological, psychological, and spiritual equilibrium. Consider developing a healthier routine that incorporates enough down-time, a balanced diet, and daily meditation practices, to keep your work worries at bay.
Texts from ancient Indian scriptures like the Ayurveda, Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita show promise in alleviating stress, anxiety, and emotional imbalance, offering a rich, integrative framework for enhancing mental health, supported by both traditional wisdom and emerging scientific evidence.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information provided. Readers should always seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional for any concerns regarding their mental well-being.
Would you be open to exploring these ancient Indian practices for a better emotional and mental wellness? Let us know by commenting down below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the ancient practices of mental health?
Ancient mental health practices included meditation, yoga, mantra chanting, breathwork (pranayama), herbal remedies, and spiritual disciplines, primarily rooted in traditions like Ayurveda, Buddhism, and early Vedic philosophy. These methods aimed to balance the mind, body, and spirit, reduce stress, and promote emotional resilience.
Who is Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita?
Arjuna is a warrior prince and the central human figure in the Bhagavad Gita, where he represents the seeker of justice. As a member of the Pandava royal family, he faces a moral and emotional crisis on the battlefield. His dialogue with Lord Krishna, who serves as his charioteer and spiritual guide, forms the core of the Gita’s teachings on duty, righteousness, and self-realization.
What are the 4 Vedas?
The four Vedas are ancient Hindu scriptures that form the foundation of Vedic knowledge. They include the Rig Veda (hymns to deities), Sama Veda (chants and melodies), Yajur Veda (ritual formulas), and Atharva Veda (spells, healing, and philosophy). Together, they guide spiritual practice, ritual, and philosophy in early Indian tradition.
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