An Empirical Study of Ancient Wisdom. Effect of Anasakti (Non-Attachment) and Ahamkara (Ego) on Well-Being Amongst Indians Kriti GUPTA & Jyotsna AGRAWALEJMH Vol 17 Issue 3 (2022) 78-95; https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.17.2022.3.6 Received: 22 June 2021; Accepted: 12 October 2022; Online: 13 December 2022 Section: Research Papers
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Abstract
Introduction: According to Indian psychology, anasakti (non-attachment) and ahamkara (ego) play a significant role in determining true happiness.
Aims: To study the role of anasakti (non-attachment) and ahamkara (ego) on the level of well-being amongst Indian adults.
Methods: For the current study, 240 educated, urban Indian adults (Females = 104, Males = 136) were surveyed to investigate the relationship of anasakti (non-attachment) and ahamkara (ego) with well-being variables.
Results: Anasakti (“non-attachment”) was revealed to be a significant factor in ensuring life satisfaction and experiencing positive emotions. Although ahamkara (“ego”) contributed significantly toward higher cognitive well-being and affective states, it better predicted negative emotions.
Conclusions: The current study’s findings may widen our understanding of “What makes people happy?” and may add to the global well-being literature.
Keywords
non-attachment, ego, well-being, yoga psychology, India
Corresponding author
Jyotsna AGRAWAL
National Institute of Mental Health Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Psychology, Bengaluru, India
Co-authors
Kriti GUPTA
O.P. Jindal Global University, Jindal School of Psychology and Counseling, Sonepat, Haryana, India
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.