Salman Akhtar’s “Freud Along the Ganges” : A Psychoanalytical Perspective Written by Kavita Jhala

Salman Akhtar’s “Freud Along the Ganges” is a groundbreaking work in psychoanalytic theory that bridges the gap between Western and Eastern psychologies. Akhtar, a prominent psychoanalyst, explores the rich tapestry of Indian culture, philosophy, and spirituality through the lens of Freudian psychoanalysis. This book offers a unique perspective on the human psyche, drawing insights from both Western and Eastern traditions.

Given the fact that it is really difficult to bridge the gap between the Western and Eastern cultures, thoughts and therefore the psychological derivates of the same, this monumental task has been taken up by Mr Akhtar with great philosophical reverence. Here are some key psychoanalytical concepts from the book:

 

1. The Unconscious: Freud believed that the unconscious mind, a vast reservoir of thoughts, feelings, and memories, significantly influences our behaviour. Akhtar delves into the concept of the unconscious mind, a fundamental tenet of Freudian psychoanalysis. He explores how the unconscious operates in Indian cultural contexts, drawing parallels between Freudian concepts and Indian ideas of the subconscious or & "chitta". In the book; he draws parallels between the unconscious and the Hindu concept of karma, suggesting that past experiences and unresolved conflicts can shape our present actions and emotions.

 

2. The Id, Ego, and Superego*: These are the three components of the personality according to Freud. The id is the primitive, instinctual part seeking immediate gratification, while the superego represents the internalized moral standards. The ego mediates between the two, striving for balance and conscious decision-making. The tripartite model of the psyche, consisting of the id, ego, and superego, is examined through an Indian lens. Akhtar explores how these structures manifest in Indian cultural traditions and how they influence individual behaviour. In the book, the author explores how these concepts relate to Hindu ideas of dharma (righteousness), karma, and the soul's journey.

 

3. Defense Mechanisms*: When faced with anxiety or conflict, people may employ defense mechanisms to protect themselves. Freud had identified various mechanisms, such as repression, denial, and projection. Akhtar discusses the various defense mechanisms employed by individuals to cope with anxiety and conflict. He examines how these mechanisms may differ across cultures and how they are expressed in Indian contexts. In this book, he examines how these mechanisms can be understood in the context of Hindu beliefs about illusion (Maya) and the pursuit of enlightenment.

 

4. Dreams: Freud believed that dreams are a pathway to the unconscious mind, often expressing hidden desires and fears. Mr Akhtar explores the symbolism and meaning of dreams within the framework of Hindu mythology and philosophy, suggesting that dreams can offer insights into the soul's journey and spiritual awakening.

 

5. The Oedipus Complex*: This is a Freudian theory that children develop strong emotional attachments to the opposite-sex parent, often leading to feelings of jealousy and rivalry towards the same-sex parent. Oedipus Complex is The author examines how this concept relates to Hindu ideas about family relationships, duty, and the spiritual quest.

 

6. Psychosexual Development*: The five psychosexual stages of development are a series of stages proposed by Sigmund Freud to explain how personality develops. These stages are based on the idea that sexual energy is focused on different parts of the body at different points in childhood and adolescence. These psychosexual stages of development as outlined by Freud are explored in this book with concern to Indian cultural practices and beliefs. Akhtar examines how these stages may be influenced by cultural factors and how they shape individual personality.

 

7. Transference and Countertransference*: Akhtar explores the concepts of transference and countertransference in the context of psychotherapy. They refer to emotional reactions that arise within the therapeutic relationship. Transference occurs when a patient unconsciously projects feelings and attitudes from past relationships onto the therapist. These feelings may be positive, negative, or a mix of both. For example, A patient may feel angry at the therapist, mirroring feelings they had towards a strict parent, or they may develop romantic feelings, reminiscent of a past love.

Countertransference is the therapist’s emotional response to the patient, often stemming from the therapist’s unresolved issues or experiences. It can manifest in various ways, such as feeling overly protective, hostile, or attracted to the patient. For example, A therapist who has experienced childhood trauma may become overly empathetic and protective of a patient with a similar history.

Mr Akhtar examines how these phenomena may differ across cultures and how they can be understood through an Indian perspective.

 

Unique Contributions of the Book:

● Bridging Western and Eastern Psychologies: Akhtar's book offers a valuable contribution to the field of psychoanalysis by bridging the gap between Western and Eastern psychologies. It demonstrates how psychoanalytic concepts can be applied to diverse cultural contexts and how they can be enriched by insights from Eastern Traditions.

 

● Exploring Indian Culture and Psychology: The book provides a rich exploration of Indian culture, philosophy, and spirituality. It offers a deeper understanding of the Indian psyche and how it is shaped by cultural factors.

 

● Expanding the Scope of Psychoanalysis: Akhtar's work expands the scope of psychoanalysis beyond its Western origins. It demonstrates the universality of human experience and the potential for psychoanalytic theory to be applied to a wide range of cultural contexts. While Freud was the Father of Psychoanalysis, the social or cultural contexts were explored by his students like Jung and Adler. Their viewpoints can be taken into perspective while understanding this book.

 

Conceptual Meanings for a Layman:

While these concepts (*) that are marked may sound complex, they can be understood in simple terms when you refer to the books on psychology or psychoanalysis. While you can Google the terms for better understanding, I would like you to exercise complete understanding of these terms and not use them indiscriminately. It does a great disservice to the field of psychology.

Essentially, the book offers a fascinating exploration of the human mind and its connection to spiritual and cultural beliefs. It suggests that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by deep-seated unconscious forces and that by understanding these forces, we can gain a greater understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

In conclusion, Salman Akhtar's 'Freud Along the Ganges' is a seminal work in psychoanalytic theory that offers a unique perspective on the human psyche. By bridging the gap between Western and Eastern psychologies, the book provides valuable insights into the universality of human experience and the richness of human culture.

 

About Author

Ms Kavita Jhala, is a clinical psychology postgraduate, has over two decades of experience in literature, entrepreneurship, education, and training. She led the eChai Ventures Chapter in Indore and founded Kaffeinated Konversations in 2016. Ms Kavita is a book reviewer, author, and trainer, focusing on education, content, creativity, learning, teaching, entrepreneurship, and professional development programs. 

 

Article Inspiration

This particular article is the result of her reading books on Psychology and sharing about them to the world. She felt the need to put in a word (or more) about the possibilities of the global connection of psychology concepts to understand human behaviour.