Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Satsang: A Culture Specific Effective Practice for Well-Being

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Positive Nations and Communities

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 6))

Abstract

This chapter considers a qualitative study from India, where Kamlesh Singh, Anjali Jain, and Dalbir Singh vividly analyze a cultural specific indigenous therapeutic practice, satsang, and its association with well-being in women that experience it in rural communities. Filling a dearth of literature analyzing and utilizing indigenous practices, the authors endorse a deep and vibrant cultural perspective. The reading takes us into a voyage of rich specificities regarding Indian concepts of positive mental health and happiness. Several methodologies, from folk songs to Yoga, exemplify the spiritual journey of women enrolled in the practice of satsang. Three consecutive qualitative studies show how women feel more empowered and stress free after participating in the indigenous practice, and how they were able to nurture healthier interpersonal relations and strengthen family and social support – a requirement for well-being.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander, C. N., Langer, E. J., Newman, R. I., Chandler, H. M., & Davies, J. L. (1989). Transcendental meditation, mindfulness, and longevity: An experimental study with the elderly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 950–964.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banth, S., & Talwar, C. (2012). Anasakti, the Hindu ideal, and its relationship to well-being and orientations to happiness. Journal of Religion and Health, 51(3), 934–946. doi:10.1007/s10943-010-9402-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bhawuk, D. P. S. (2010). Methodology for building psychological models from scriptures: Contributions of Indian psychology to indigenous and universal psychologies. Psychology and Developing Societies, 22, 49–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822–848.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chiang, M. M. (2008). Research on music and healing in ethnomusicology and music therapy. Unpublished Master’s thesis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilton, G., & Wilkinson, R. A. (2009). Envisioning the intersection of art therapy and positive psychology. Australian New Zealand Journal of Art Therapy, 4(1), 27–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, P. M. (1997). Sacred music therapy in North India. The World of Music, 39, 61–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalal, A. K. (2007). Folk wisdom and traditional healing practices: Some lessons for modern psychotherapies. New Delhi: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Das, R. C. (1991). Standardization of the Gita inventory of personality. Journal of Indian Psychology, 9(1&2), 47–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davar, B. (2001). Mental health from a gender perspective. New Delhi: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delle Fave, A., Brdar, I., Freire, T., Vella-Brodrick, D., & Wissing, M. P. (2011). The eudaimonic and hedonic components of happiness: Qualitative and quantitative findings. Social Indicators Research, 100, 185–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Diener, M. (1995). Cross-cultural correlates of life satisfaction and self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 653–663.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Oishi, S. (2000). Money and happiness: Income and subjective well-being across nations. In E. D. E. M. Suh (Ed.), Culture and subjective well-being (pp. 185–218). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Very happy people. Psychological Science, 13, 81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Oishi, S., & Lucas, R. E. (2003). Personality, culture, and subjective well-being: Emotional and cognitive evaluations of life. Annual Reviews of Psychology, 54, 403–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duggal Jha, S., & Singh, K. (2011). An analysis of individualism-collectivism across Northern India. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 37(1), 149–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science, 319(5870), 1687–1688.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, G., Greeson, J., & Senville, J. (2010). Differential effects of mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and loving-kindness meditation on decentering and negative reactions to repetitive thoughts. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 48, 1002–1011.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56, 218–226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilboa, A., & Sagit, B. (2009). Sowing seeds of compassion: The case of a music therapy integration group. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 36, 251–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilman, R., & Huebner, E. S. (2000). Review of life satisfaction measures for adolescents. Behaviour Change, 17, 178–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goel, M. S. (2008). Devotional Hinduism: Creating impressions for God. Bloomington: iUniverse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greitemeyer, T. (2009a). Effects of songs with pro-social lyrics on pro-social behavior: Further evidence and a mediating mechanism. Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 1500–1511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greitemeyer, T. (2009b). Effects of songs with prosocial lyrics on prosocial thoughts, affect and behavior. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 186–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grosswald, S. J., Stixrud, W. R., Travis, F., & Bateh, M. A. (2008). Use of the transcendental meditation technique to reduce symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by reducing stress and anxiety: An exploratory study. Current Issues in Education, 10(2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadi, N., & Hadi, N. (2007). Effects of hatha yoga on well-being in healthy adults in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. East Mediterranean Health Journal, 13(4), 829–837.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halbfass, W. (1997). Happiness: A Nyaya-Vaisesika perspective. In P. Bilimoria & J. N. Mohanty (Eds.), Relativism, suffering, and beyond: Essays in memory of B.K. Matilal (pp. 150–163). Delhi: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haslam, N. (2000). Psychiatric categories as natural kinds: Essentialist thinking about mental disorder. Social Research, 67(4), 1031–1058.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrich, J., & Henrich, N. (2006). Culture, evolution and the puzzle of human cooperation. Cognitive Systems Research, 7(2–3), 220–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hills, P., & Argyle, M. (1998). Musical and religious experiences and their relationship to happiness. Personality and Individual Differences, 25, 91–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, K. (2004). The epistemological goal of indigenous psychology: The perspective of constructive realism. In B. N. Setiadi, A. Supratiknya, W. J. Lonner, & Y. H. Poortinga (Eds.), Ongoing themes in psychology and culture. Melbourne: International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain, A. (2007). Reformation of psyche through yogic discipline. Yoga Varsha, 4, 28–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kakar, S. (1978). The inner world: A psychoanalytic study of childhood and society in India. Delhi: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamat, J. (2013, February 20). Swastika In Indian Culture. Indian Culture. Retrieved July 15, 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapur, R. L. (2011). Yoga and the state of mind. In A. K. Dalal & G. Misra (Eds.), New directions in health psychology (pp. 249–258). New Delhi: SAGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keyes, C. L. M. (1998). Social well-being. Social Psychology Quarterly, 61, 121–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keyes, C. L. M. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43, 207–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khare, R. S. (1996). Dava, daktar and dua: Anthropology of practiced medicine in India. Social Science & Medicine, 43, 837–848.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitayama, S., Markus, H. R., & Kurokawa, M. (2000). Culture, emotion, and well-being: Good feelings in Japan and the United States. Cognition & Emotion, 14, 93–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan, L. (2005). Concepts of social behavior in India: Daan and distributive justice. Psychological Studies, 50, 21–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, S. K. K. (2010). Indian indigenous concepts and perspectives: Developments and future possibilities. In G. Misra (Ed.), Psychology in India: Theoretical and methodological developments (Vol. 4). New Delhi: Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, B. (2007). Room for 2000 philosophers. Many volunteers keep the faith on huge project. The Peace Arch News, 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laukka, P. (2007). Uses of music and psychological well-being among the elderly. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8(1), 215–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindberg, D. A. (2005). Integrative review of research related to meditation, spirituality, and the elderly. Geriatric Nursing, 26(6), 372–377.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, L., Gilmour, R., & Kao, S. (2001). Cultural values and happiness: An eastwest dialogue. The Journal of Social Psychology, 141, 477–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malathi, A., Damodaran, A., Shah, N., Patil, N., & Maratha, S. (2000). Effect of yogic practices on subjective well being. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 44(2), 202–206.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Menon, S. (1998). The ontological pragmaticity of karma in Bhagvad Gita. Journal of Indian Psychology, 16(1), 44–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra, G. (1990). Applied social psychology in India. New Delhi: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra, G., & Paranjpe, A. C. (2012). Psychology in modern India. In Encyclopedia of the history of psychological theories (pp. 881–892). New York: Springer Science, Business Media, LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreno, J. J. (1995). Ethnomusic therapy: An interdisciplinary approach to music and healing. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 22, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nastasi, B. K. (1998). A model for mental health programming is schools and communities: Introduction to the mini-series. School Psychology Review, 27, 165–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Outlook. (2005, January 10). Kya hai khusi ka khazana (What is the secret of happiness). Outlook.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pande, N., & Naidu, R. K. (1992). Anasakti and health: A study of non-attachment. Psychology and Developing Societies, 4, 89–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., & Mahoney, A. (2002). Spirituality. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, N., & Huebner, E. S. (2005). A cross-cultural study of the levels and correlates of life satisfaction among children and adolescents. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 36(4), 444–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2006). Character strengths in fifty-four nations and the fifty US states. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1(3), 118–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, V., Ricardo, d. L., Mauricio, L., & Ana, T. C. (1999). Women, poverty and common mental disorders in four restructuring societies. Social Science & Medicine, 49, 1461–1471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry, B. (2008). Lecture. Paper presented at the The American Art Therapy, Cleveland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prabhu, G. G., & Raghuram, A. (1987). Mental health in India. In Encyclopaedia of social work in India (Vol. 2, pp. 188–189). New Delhi: Ministry of Welfare.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puchner, L. (2003). Women and literacy in rural Mali: A study of the socio-economic impact of participating in literacy programs in four villages. International Journal of Educational Development, 23, 439–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Punia, D., & Punia, R. K. (2004). Gender discrimination in Haryanvi folk songs. In B. Rama Raju (Ed.), Folklore. New Delhi: The New Millennium Research India Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauscha, S. M., Gramlinga, S. E., & Auerbacha, S. M. (2006). Effects of a single session of large-group meditation and progressive muscle relaxation training on stress reduction, reactivity, and recovery. International Journal of Stress Management, 13(3), 273–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Research Programme Framework: Action R&D on body, c. a. t. i. i. a. f. o. i. l. (2012). Retrieved September 3, 2012. http://www.sriaurobindoashram.org/research/research.php

  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069–1081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D. (1995). Psychological well-being in adult life. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 4(4), 99–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D., & Keyes, C. L. M. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 719–727.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sachdev, N. (2001). The Radha Soami way of god realization. The Times of India, January 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sand, R. (1993). Of faith, hope & charity. The Times of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K. (2009). Intervention module for restructuring socio- cultural issues in Indian framework. In G. Sankar (Ed.), Psychotherapy & yoga traditions (pp. 180–194). Sagar: Pranjal Prakashan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K., & Choubisa, R. (2009). Effectiveness of self focused intervention for enhancing student’s wellbeing. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 35(Special issue), 23–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K., & Dangi, S. (2011). Married migrant women in Haryana: A pilot study. The Journal of Psychosocial Research, 6(2), 265–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, K., & Singh, D. (2010). Development and socio-cultural changes in rural areas of Haryana. Paper presented at XX annual convention of National Academy of Psychology, New Delhi: JNU.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinha, D. (2002). Culture and psychology: Perspective of cross-cultural psychology. Psychology and Developing Societies, 14(11), 11–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinha, D. (2011). Concept of psycho-social well-being: Western and Indian perspectives. In A. K. Dalal & G. Misra (Eds.), New directions in health psychology (pp. 95–107). Delhi: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. (2000). Geography of music. In R. Johnston, D. Gregory, G. Pratt, & M. Watts (Eds.), The dictionary of human geography (pp. 530–531). Blackwell: Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C., Hancock, H., Blake-Mortimer, J., & Eckert, K. (2007). A randomised comparative trial of yoga and relaxation to reduce stress and anxiety. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 15(2), 77–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A. K., & Misra, G. (2003). Going beyond the model of economic man: An indigenous perspective on happiness. Journal of Indian Psychology, Andhra University, 21, 12–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A. K., & Misra, G. (2011). In A. K. Dalal & G. Misra (Eds.), New directions in health psychology (pp. 109–131). New Delhi: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Storey, D. (2001). Territory: The claiming of space. Harlow: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomasello, M. (2009). Why we cooperate. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varjas, K., Nastasi, B. K., Moore, R. B., & Jayasena, A. (2005). Using ethnographic methods for development of culture-specific interventions. Journal of School Psychology, 43(3), 241–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vella-Brodrick, D. T. (2009). Interventions for enhancing well-being: The role of person-activity fit. In Workshop presented at the First World Congress on Positive Psychology, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma, S. K., & Verma, A. (1989). Manual of P.G.I. general well-being measure. Lucknow: Ankur Psychological Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wig, N. N. (1990). Indian concepts of mental health and their impact on care of the mentally ill. International Journal of Mental Health, 18, 71–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, R. (2002). Spiritual lessons at service. The Press Democrat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yarwood, R., & Charlton, C. (2009). Country life? Rurality, folk music and “show of hands”. Journal of Rural Studies, 25, 194–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India

    Kamlesh Singh & Anjali Jain

  2. Geography Department, Pt. N R S Government College, Rohtak, Haryana, India

    Dalbir Singh

Authors
  1. Kamlesh Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anjali Jain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dalbir Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamlesh Singh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. CAPP–Ctr. for Pub. Pol. and Adm., Technical University of Lisbon School of Soc. and Pol. Scs, ISCSP, Lisboa, Portugal

    Helena Águeda Marujo

  2. CAPP–Ctr. for Pub. Pol. and Adm., Technical University of Lisbon School of Soc. and Pol. Scs, ISCSP, Lisboa, Portugal

    Luis Miguel Neto

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Singh, K., Jain, A., Singh, D. (2014). Satsang: A Culture Specific Effective Practice for Well-Being. In: Águeda Marujo, H., Neto, L. (eds) Positive Nations and Communities. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6869-7_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation