Scholars converge at IIT-Mandi for 3-day meet to discuss Indian knowledge system, mental health

The Newz Radar

MANDI: The Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Applications (IKSMHA) Centre at IIT-Mandi inaugurated the ‘Mind, Brain, and Consciousness Conference-2023 at its campus here on Thursday (December 14, 2023).

The three-day conference aims to stimulate robust discussions among scientists and philosophers on consciousness, along with exploring various interventions from Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) for cognitive wellness and mental health.

This three-day conference will attract scholars from diverse fields, including neuroscientists, psychologists, AI and robotics researchers, physicists, mathematicians, biologists, computer scientists, as well as traditional scholars and practitioners of Indian Knowledge Systems.

The conference will centre on engaging discussions and talks covering a range of topics, such as the origin and nature of consciousness and conscious experience, the challenges and limitations that modern science faces in addressing the hard problem of consciousness, alternative perspectives from Indian Knowledge Systems, and holistic solutions for understanding consciousness, including mind-body non-dualism through empirical investigations.

The event will feature plenary talks by leading experts, parallel sessions for paper and poster presentations and brainstorming panel discussions. These activities will engage the participants in a dynamic exchange of ideas, fostering collaboration between diverse fields of study.

Sonal Mansingh, Rajya Sabha member and Padma Vibhushan, was the chief guest during the inaugural event. Speaking on the occasion, she delved into the idea that people’s understanding of the world through perception could be subject to illusions or distortions, mirroring the illusory nature associated with “Maya”.

Mansingh posed an intriguing question during her plenary session, titled ‘Could Perception be the second name of Maya?’. The question implied a philosophical exploration into the nature of perception and its potential connection to the concept of Maya.

Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT-Mandi, spoke about ‘Reflections from Indian Knowledge Systems perspective’. His presentation delved into prevailing theories of consciousness and provided a distinctive perspective rooted in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).

The aim of his talk was not only to acquaint the audience with established theories but also to enrich their understanding by incorporating unique insights and philosophical underpinnings from Indian Knowledge Systems.

Other distinguished guests included BVRC Purushottam, IAS, Secretary-Rural Development, Uttarakhand; Prof Stuart Hameroff from the University of Arizona, USA; Dr Antonietta Rozzi from the University of Bologna, Italy; Dr Anirban Bandopadhyay from NIMS, Japan; Prof K Ramasubramanian from IIT-Bombay, and Chitravina Ravikiran, a senior Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee and other dignitaries.

Varun Dutt, the event coordinator and chair of IKSMHA at IIT-Mandi, provided an insightful overview of the programme for MBCC 2023. Distinguished by its holistic approach, the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) offers a unique perspective transcending the limitations of physicalist and reductionist paradigms in modern science.

The MBCC-2023 aims to showcase interventions drawn from yoga sutras, Sankhya, Ayurveda, and other traditional texts. These interventions, encompassing practices such as yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and Indian performing arts, are posited as potential keys to unravelling the mysteries of consciousness.