IIT Mandi, Art of Living to advance research in consciousness, mental health
The Mind, Brain, and Consciousness Conference (MBCC 2025) opened to an intellectually vibrant start at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi on June 4. Organised by the Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Applications (IKSMHA) Center, the four-day global event witnessed a confluence of neuroscientists, spiritual leaders, psychologists, philosophers, and AI researchers, marking a bold step in interdisciplinary research on consciousness and mental health.advertisementFOCUS ON CONSCIOUSNESS AND INDIAN WISDOMMBCC 2025 (June 4–7) positions itself at the frontier of neuroscience, consciousness studies, mental well-being, and Indian philosophical traditions. The conference aims to foster dialogue across disciplines through research presentations, keynote addresses, workshops, and cultural programs, promoting the integration of Indian knowledge systems with cutting-edge scientific inquiry.In a significant move, IIT Mandi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Art of Living Foundation, strengthening its commitment to collaborative research in consciousness and mental well-being.SPIRITUAL AND SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT LEADERS UNITE
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, delivered a virtual keynote to open the event. Emphasising the role of spirituality in modern science, he remarked, 'Science now agrees that spirituality plays a vital role in mind and consciousness. Happiness is a concept of consciousness, nurtured through meditation, sattvic food, and pranayama.'advertisementProfessor Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi and General Chair of MBCC, highlighted the centrality of consciousness to both science and self-realisation. 'Without consciousness, the body is nothing. MBCC 2025 opens pathways for practical education, innovation, and interdisciplinary research rooted in Indian knowledge systems,' he said.Professor Arnav Bhavsar, Chair of the IKSMHA Center, outlined the center's evolving research ecosystem, including the launch of a sleep research lab and collaborations with national institutions such as DRDO and the Ministry of AYUSH.Renowned Indologist Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami described the conference as a 'yagya of knowledge,' led by students and illuminated by the light of consciousness.WHAT MBCC 2025 HAS IN STORE?The Mind, Brain, and Consciousness Conference (MBCC 2025) offers a rich academic and cultural programme. The four-day event features over 110 full paper presentations and 60 poster presentations by researchers from diverse fields. Attendees can participate in 12 thematic sessions covering topics such as cognitive biomarkers, neuroimaging, AI and consciousness, Ayurvedic psychiatry, and reincarnation studies.The conference also includes 4 keynote addresses and 3 plenary sessions featuring eminent speakers like Professor B N Gangadhar, Professor Gautam Desiraju, Professor Shrinivasa Varakedi, Professor Nirmalya Chakraborty, and HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami.In addition, there are 6 invited talks from leading scholars and 2 expert panel discussions focusing on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), cognition, and civilisational consciousness.advertisementThe event offers hands-on learning experiences through 2 immersive workshops — one on Dharma in Indian Katha Parampara and another on Sattvic Cooking for Mental and Physical Health. Cultural programming includes 3 evenings of music, dance, and storytelling, exploring Indian traditions tied to consciousness.As MBCC 2025 continues until June 7, upcoming sessions will delve into crucial themes such as yoga and mental health, meditation and neurocognitive therapies, AI's intersections with consciousness, and the continuum of consciousness in Indian philosophical thought. This landmark event reaffirms IIT Mandi's growing role in interdisciplinary research, aiming to reshape how science engages with the human mind, consciousness, and holistic well-being.For the full conference schedule and details, visit: https://iksmha.iitmandi.ac.in/mbcc/2025
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