Swami Vivekananda’s Karma Yoga and Seligman’s PERMA Model: A Conceptual Study

Abstract

The contemporary human civilization has reached the peaks of accomplishment in various knowledge domains. However, people are so obsessed with their extrinsic achievements that they have forgotten to see the psychological damage caused to themselves. So, it is very crucial to explore the remedies for psychological aberrations caused by the strains of modernization. In this regard, the research article attempts to explore two psychological frameworks: Vivekananda’s Karma Yoga and Seligman’s PERMA (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) Model. Vivekananda’s Karma Yoga places character as the centre of influence and the positive character produces appropriate behavioural or cognitive patterns. He also infers on other dimensions of positive psychology such as integration of three Gunas (Samkhya Philosophy), altruism in work and the concept of Vasudeva Kutumbakam. Besides, the article tries conceptualizing the dimensions of Karma Yoga with the PERMA Model. Seligman’s PERMA Model acts as the foundation to the western concept of positive psychology and offers objective strategies to nurture positivity in people. Although there is a subjective or objective variation in these Indian and Western frameworks, there is a commonality in each dimension of these frameworks. The research article tries to exemplify commonalities among these dimensions and their applicability in achieving personal transformation. The article also exemplifies the application value of Karma Yoga and PERMA model at the workplace and how these two frameworks may be integrated to infuse more intrinsic and extrinsic positivity in the professionals. The scope of the conceptual study is widely elaborated in the article and it may be an enlightening outcome for the professional working in the corporate world.