In modern psychiatry, techniques rooted in Indian contemplative traditions—such as meditation and breathing practices—are not only actively used in clinical settings but are also spreading widely into everyday life through smartphone applications related to psychotherapy. However, efforts to accurately interpret and systematically study the psychotherapeutic traditions preserved in classical Indian texts, as well as attempts to scientifically verify the actual clinical effects of these practices, remain insufficiently developed.

In response, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Center for South Asian Studies at SNUAC aim to undertake a joint research project. This project will reinterpret the historical development and theoretical foundations of Indian psychotherapeutic traditions based on primary text analysis, and will empirically validate the neuroscientific effects of these practices using fMRI. Discussions related to this initiative are scheduled to take place at this roundtable.

Dr. Kenneth W. Bayles (Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center)
Dr. Bradley E. Britigan (Dean, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center)
Dr. Sung Yong Kang (Director, Center for South Asian Studies, SNUAC)