An initiative advancing the practice, research, and study of Upāsanā. SDS is a vibrant global community of people from diverse fields, powered by one central anchor — live a fuller life by cultivating a healthy mind.
Culture, philosophy, lifestyle, relationships, and the ideas that shape our world are, in significant ways, expressions of the human mind.
SDS seeks to help people understand the mind and cultivate it through regular practice — not only in response to distress, but as an integral part of a healthy and meaningful life.
SDS seeks to revive Sandhyā as a living cultural practice for cultivating a healthy mind and balanced life.
Alongside this, SDS offers Patanjal Upāsanā (PU), a simpler and accessible practice arising from a structural understanding of the mind and from the work of the Ṛṣis, as studied and developed through Dr. Harishchandra’s research.
SDS is grounded in 30 years of research by Dr. Harishchandra on Upāsanā through the lens of Sāṃkhya and Yoga. This research enables us to examine contemporary practices against the underlying framework described in the works of the Ṛṣis, identify gaps, and develop approaches that bring practice closer to its intended form.
For example, in many places Sandhyā is limited primarily to Sandhyā-vacana, with little or no practice of Dhyāna alongside it. Our programme addresses this gap by drawing on the works of the Ṛṣis and helping people incorporate Dhyāna after the Gāyatrī Mantra as part of Sandhyā.
We have also conducted an extensive comparative study of meditation practices popular in India — understanding the conceptual differences across practices and the key challenges people face in learning and sustaining them.