Positive Psychology, Positivism and Indian Heritage

Abstract

Positive Psychology is a recent branch of psychology the purpose of which was summed up in 2000 by Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi as psychology of positive human functioning .The goal of Positive Psychology is to achieve a scientific understanding and effective intervention to build thriving in individuals, families and communities. What's right about instead of what's wrong with motivate the psychologists to learn how to build the qualities that may help individuals and communities not just to endure and survive but also to flourish.Psychologists are trying to help people to actualize their potentialities of becoming happy and satisfied within the range of possibilities available in their respective cultures. Positive Psychologists have proposed the revolutionary ideas of focusing on human strengths and virtues in place of emotional problems and mental illnesses to improve our well being. This seems entirely in line with the objectives of World Health Organization which states that:Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 1946).Positive Psychologists have taken this objective seriously and have attempted to define the positive experiences, attitudes and emotions that can give us greater well being and happiness. Enhancing the life of enjoyment (pleasant life), creating the life of engagement (good life) and promoting the life of affiliation (meaningful life) are the goals of Positive Psychologists.But when we look at these objectives in the context of our Indian heritage, certain questions arise in our minds and we find some important things missing.Firstly Positive psychology promises to achieve immediate results quickly by applying simple scientific facts to emotional problems and principles of human nature (nurturing human strengths and savoring positive experiences). Can we get instant solution to those problems whose seeds are buried deep inside our level of consciousness? If yes, then it will not be sustainable and only be for a short period of time.Secondly As mentioned earlier according to Positive Psychologists, the highest human good is happiness but it is highly questionable in the light of the complexity of existence. Can we relieve ourselves from the worries, anxieties and tensions of our daily hurried living by the skills of emotional well being? Or it may add another dimension of obligation when being happy or achieving mastery over ones emotional life becomes a new duty and modem standard.Thirdly Positive psychology focuses more on the positive aspect of human nature and considers that Psychology is not just the study of pathology, weakness, and damage; it is also the study of strengths and virtues. Treatment is not just fixing what is broken; it is nurturing what is best. But focusing either on positive or negative side of human life will be half of the entire story. Positive Psychologists and therapists argue that they are simply trying to rebalance the negative thoughts and habits with positive ones. The question here arises that do we want our thoughts and habits to get interfered with in this manner? Will it not leave certain things unsettled and disconcerting? Does it not give an idea of social and emotional engineering? Human being is the combination of strengths and weaknesses. Life is not all rainbows and joy. While positive things are what humans tend to focus on, negative things are still a part of the order of life and nature. Sometimes negative emotions and experiences may be more urgent and therefore override positive ones. This would make evolutionary sense. Since negative emotions often reflect immediate problems or objective dangers, they should be powerful enough to force us to stop, increase vigilance, reflect on our behavior, and change our actions if necessary.Fourthly In Positive psychology happiness, satisfaction and wellbeing is possible without following the hard earned path of self realization. …