The Narrow I of Anxiety and Depression: A Psycho-Spiritual Perspective

This article is an attempt to discusses the underlying psychological aspects of Depression and Anxiety from a Psycho-Spiritual Perspective. The conventional literature classifies these as disorders of the human mind which results from neurobiological disturbances, whereas the psycho-spiritual knowledge qualifies them as an opportunity for growth of the being. Drawing from the earlier Yoga traditions and largely from Sri Aurobindo's Integral Yoga Psychology, the article explores the understanding of a human being in terms of not just to a limited mind-body conglomeration, but as a conscious being essentially spiritual, operating at different levels of consciousness in a sync with nature. The mind, body and emotions are the functions of consciousness through which we interact with our environment, with the ego forming the epicentre of personality which acts as the reference point for all these interactions. It is a fresh take on exploring psychological disorders and construing their rightful place in the development of an individual's personality through the course of life.