Page No 221-233
R. S. Pirta
Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
Essentially the aim of applied psychology is to use the advances in the science
of mind for understanding human mental processes and to modify human behavior
and attitudes. In this attempt human brain and physiology are thought as
mediating mechanisms and remain poorly understood by the students of applied
psychology. In view of this indifference, the report of World Health Organization
on mental health in 2001made a significant attempt by highlighting the advances
in the brain sciences, on the one hand, and parallel developments in cognitive
sciences, on the other hand. These advances additionally support the resolution
of the World Health Organization to underline the mutuality of mind and body for
understanding mental health. However, this most enlightening message of the
report went unnoticed by the mental health professionals. The mutuality of mind
and body has fundamental significance for applied psychology, in theory as well
as practice. The issue is, does mind change brain (neuroplastic mechanism)
and in turn behavior? And, conversely, does behavior change brain (feedback
mechanism) and in turn mind. The life-long work of quantum physicist E. C. G.
Sudarshan, a modern rishi, illuminates the disappearance of veil between mind
and matter (body or brain). The present paper reviews evidence from research
conducted over the past decade that further strengthens the mutuality of mind
and body (brain), especially in context of the role of supernatural elements in
human well-being
.