Towards an Indian-Inspired Framework of Self-Regulation: Integrating Meta-Cognitive and Mindfulness Approaches

This theoretical paper advances an Indian-inspired framework of self-regulation by integrating Western constructs of meta-cognition and mindfulness with philosophical insights from the Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā. Core mechanisms of executive control, attentional regulation, and meta-awareness are examined in relation to Gītā concepts such as sākṣibhāva (witness consciousness), yuktatā(equanimity), and vairāgyam (detachment). In particular, the Gītā’s articulation of sthita-prajñā (steady wisdom) and niṣkāma-karma (unattached action) is shown to parallel contemporary theories of cognitive reappraisal and emotion regulation. This integrative model reframes self-regulation not only as a cognitive resource but also as a cultivated state of detached observation, thereby extending psychological accounts of executive control. By aligning classical contemplative wisdom with modern theories of cognition and awareness, the framework offers a novel theoretical lens for advancing research on attention, emotion, and self-regulation.