Abstract

Advaita, a non-dualist system of Vednta philosophy, and Yoga, a dualist system of classical Indian philosophy, make different ontological assumptions. Yet surprisingly they subscribe to similar views on many psychological issues. Together they provide the base for what is now known as Indian psychology. As an alternate system of psychology, it provides fruitful models that go well beyond the currently dominant reductionist postulates in cognitive science and suggest attractive programmes of research for those working in areas of cognitive excellence and extraordinary human abilities. This paper provides an outline of a model derived from Indian psychology called the Body-Mind-Consciousness Trident model which favours a process view of reality, in place of entity metaphysics.