Sangeetha Menon

National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science

Project title:

Consciousness, Memory Agency and Spiritual Experience: Perspectives from Scientific Discussions and Indian Discourse.

Abstract:

Experience is the key question for a consciousness researcher. Experience is directly related to the existence of agency. Today, the question of agency is considered vital for neuropsychological research, cognitive science as well as philosophical understanding. Another area where the question of agency is central, but not discussed enough, is that of spiritual experiences. This paper tries to understand the complexity of agency as perceived in three contexts of spiritual experience from the Indian discourse, in the background of recent scientific discussions on consciousness and agency. An attempt is made to outline a theory and representation of agency to understand consciousness with the help of three positive experiences-natya, bhakti and atmajnana - dance- drama, divine love and self-knowledge.

Short biography:

A philosopher with doctorate awarded for the thesis entitled “the concept of consciousness in the Bhagavad Gita”, Dr Menon is a gold-medalist and first-rank holder for post-graduate studies. She received University Grants Commission fellowship for her doctoral studies for five years. She is one of the Senior Faculty members at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) in Bangalore since 1996, in the Culture, Cognition and Consciousness Unit. Dr Menon has been working in the area of consciousness studies for over twelve years. Her core research interests include Indian ways of thinking and current discussions on ‘consciousness’. Her work and experience involves a combination of scientific engagement, creative interests and spiritual pursuit. Dr Menon has co-edited three books: Science and Beyond: Cosmology, consciousness and technology in Indic traditions (2004, NIAS), Consciousness and Genetics (2002, NIAS) and Scientific and Philosophical Studies on Consciousness (1999, NIAS). The book she has co-authored with Swami Bodhananda, Dialogues: Philosopher meets the Seer (2003, Srshti Publishers), is a set of nine dialogues with her Guru on socio-cultural issues of contemporary importance.