IIT Mandi Signs MoU with Art of Living Foundation to Advance Research in Consciousness and Mental Well-being

Mandi, Himachal Pradesh | June 4, 2025 The prestigious Mind, Brain, and Consciousness Conference (MBCC 2025) commenced today at IIT Mandi, bringing together leading scientists, scholars, thinkers, and spiritual leaders from across the world. Organized by the Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Applications (IKSMHA) Center, this four-day conference (June 4–7) is an interdisciplinary confluence at the frontier of science, consciousness studies, neuroscience, mental health, and Indian philosophical wisdom.

The day witnessed the keynote address by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, addressed participants virtually, stating, ““Science now agrees that spirituality plays a vital role in mind and consciousness. Happiness is a concept of consciousness, nurtured through meditation, sattvic food, and pranayama.”

During the occasion, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi and General Chair of MBCC, emphasized that consciousness is central to both science and self-realization, “Without consciousness, the body is nothing. MBCC 2025 opens pathways for practical education, innovation, and interdisciplinary research rooted in Indian knowledge systems.” Prof. Arnav Bhavsar, Chair of the IKSMHA Center, shared the center’s mission and achievements, including the establishment of a dedicated sleep research lab and active collaboration with national institutions like DRDO, AYUSH Ministry, and others.

Renowned Indologist Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami called the conference a “yagya of knowledge,” led by students and fueled by the light of consciousness.

An MoU was also signed between IIT Mandi and the Art of Living Foundation, strengthening collaboration in consciousness and mental well-being research.

What MBCC 2025 Offers Over Four Days:

• 110+ full paper presentations
• 60+ poster presentations
• 12 thematic special sessions on topics like cognitive biomarkers, neuroimaging, AI and consciousness, Ayurvedic psychiatry, reincarnation studies, and more.
• 4 keynote talks and 3 plenary talks by luminaries including Prof. B. N. Gangadhar, Prof. Gautam Desiraju, Prof. Shrinivasa Varakedi, Prof. Nirmalya Chakraborty and HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami.
• 6 invited talks by high-profile national and international scholars.
• 2 expert panel discussions on IKS, cognition, and civilizational consciousness.
• 2 immersive workshops by Dharma in Indian Katha Parampara and Sattvic Cooking for Mental and Physical Health
• 3 cultural evenings showcasing music, dance, and storytelling traditions connected with Indian consciousness

MBCC 2025 continues through June 7, with sessions on yoga and mental health, meditation and neurocognitive therapies, AI and consciousness, and the continuum of consciousness in Indian thought.

For the full schedule and details: https://iksmha.iitmandi.ac.in/mbcc/2025