Founded in September 2000, the Philosophical Praxis, Counselling and Spiritual Healing Society (PPCSHS) promotes the philosophical examination of counselling theory and practice, and philosophy as a private-practice profession.
In addition to hosting scholarly meetings, the PPCSHS is the National Academic Association representing the internationally growing trend to promote philosophy as an independent practice profession.
In most countries, philosophy has been confined primarily to academies of higher learning where its relevance to the everyday lives and concerns of ordinary people has largely been ignored, overlooked, or unappreciated. The PPCSHS is dedicated to promoting increased awareness of philosophy's importance to the concerns and issues affecting our everyday personal and professional lives.
Philosophical Practice (Counselling) in India: A Pathway from Reflection to Transformation Addressing life’s dilemmas through philosophy is deeply rooted in Indian tradition. However, modern philosophical counselling focuses on reflective dialogue and personal empowerment rather than traditional spiritual or religious guidance, helping individuals navigate contemporary challenges.
What is Philosophical Counselling?
Philosophical counselling is a contemporary form of philosophising that prioritises inquiry over definite answers. It involves reflective dialogue between a counsellor and a counselee—sometimes called a guest—aimed at fostering self-understanding, critical thinking, and clarity about life’s fundamental questions. This form of counselling is rooted in philosophical traditions but differs from psychotherapy and other mental health practices. While it may intersect with these domains, philosophical counselling is not therapy in the clinical sense—it is a “therapy for the sane” and a “therapy for life,” offering care of the self in the tradition of thinkers such as Socrates, the Buddha, and Patanjali.
Historical Origins and Evolution in India
Institutions such as the Society for Philosophical Praxis, Counselling, and Spiritual Healing (SPPCSH) have helped philosophical counselling gain recognition in India through diploma courses and seminars, strengthening its legitimacy within the broader mental health and educational landscape.
The SPPCSH offers a structured one-year diploma course in Philosophical Practice, divided into two levels, inviting students and practitioners to explore this evolving field and deepen their understanding. Also runs some short courses, such as “Philosophical Wellbeing, Self-Reflection Group " and so on.
A Living, Evolving Tradition
Through national seminars on themes such as “Dimensions of Mind,” “Negative Emotions and Tranquillity,” “Therapy of the Self,” and the “Upanishadic Way of Life,” Indian philosophical counselling continues to evolve, inspiring confidence in its future. The SPPCSH has published 10 books that contribute to this field. Its approach combines classical wisdom with contemporary challenges, reviving philosophy as a guide for everyday life.
THE AIMS OF SPPCSH
- To help to promote moral values and human dignity in the various experiences and walks of life.
- To help in the spiritual development of an individual.
- To disseminate information related to yogic practices and to organise yoga camps.
- To help in over coming the sorrow resulting from the situations of moral dilemmas, pessimism, mental agony and death of dearest kith and kin
- To help in creating atmosphere to apply philosophical reasoning and methodology in various fields of life such as: medicine, occupations, education, environment, and social welfare etc.
- To work for developing moral and higher life goals at individual level and at the level of society.
- To help and give training for free and creative thinking process to willing persons and also to organize such programmes so that their intellectual capacities may properly develop in various appropriate dimensions.
- To give training of philosophical counseling to those members of the society who want to work as philosophical counsellor
MEMBERSHIP FEE: In India Rs. 2000/- For Foreign Members $ 60.00 Inform about your problems by e-mail in confidence on any E-mail address:
Write to:
Dr. K.L.Sharma, C-207, Manu Marg, Tilak Nagar, Jaipur 302004
Phone No. : 91-141-2621693. 91-141-2624848
